Thai Fans Mourn Death of Beloved Taiwanese Actress Barbie Hsu

Hsu Hsi Yuan
Taiwanese actress, singer and TV personality Barbie Hsu, who commanded a devoted following in Thailand, has died at the age of 48.

BANGKOK — Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu—also known as Hsu Hsi Yuan or Da S—who captured the hearts of millions of Thai fans through her role in “Meteor Garden,” has died at age 48. Her sister confirmed that Hsu passed away from pneumonia complications after contracting influenza during a family vacation in Japan.

The star’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s social media, where she maintained an extraordinarily devoted following since her breakthrough role as Shan Cai in the 2001 hit series “Meteor Garden.” The drama, which was dubbed in Thai, catapulted Hsu to household name status in Thailand and cemented her position as one of the most beloved foreign actresses in the country.

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Da S during her last family vacation with her mother, sister Dee Hsu, and husband DJ Koo Jun-yup. (Photo courtesy of Dee Hsu/Facebook)

“During the Lunar New Year, our family came to Japan for vacation. My dearest sister Barbie has unfortunately left us after getting pneumonia, triggered by an influenza,” her sister Dee Hsu said in a statement shared by her manager.

According to EBC news has revealed that, the tour guide accompanying the Hsu family in Japan revealed a detailed timeline of events:

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  • January 29: Barbie began showing symptoms of coughing and asthma in Hakone
  • January 30-31: She remained in her hotel room, her condition worsening
  • February 1: The family traveled to Tokyo, visiting first a small clinic, then a larger hospital where she was diagnosed with influenza and prescribed medication
  • February 2: After her condition deteriorated severely overnight, she was rushed to the hospital but passed away in the early morning
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Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu—also known as Hsu Hsi Yuan or Da S—who captured the hearts of millions of Thai fans through her role in “Meteor Garden,” has died at age 48.

CNA News reports that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare estimates that the cumulative number of flu patients this season has exceeded 9.5 million since September last year, though the epidemic has shown signs of easing recently. During the week of January 20 to 26, medical institutions reported a downward trend for two consecutive weeks.

Beginning her entertainment career at 17 alongside her younger sister Dee Hsu, Barbie (known as “Big S” or “Da S” in Chinese) and Dee (nicknamed “Small S” or “Xiao S”) formed the pop duo SOS. The sisters’ dynamic chemistry and charismatic personalities quickly made them popular TV hosts in Taiwan. Though the duo later rebranded as ASOS due to contractual issues, their sisterly bond remained a prominent feature of Taiwan’s entertainment landscape.

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Barbie Hsu or “Da S” and Dee Hsu or “Xiao S” form the pop duo SOS.

Barbie Hsu then transitioned to acting, starring in numerous successful productions including “Mars” (2004), “The Ghost Inside” (2005), and “Connected” (2008).

Her personal life drew significant media attention throughout her career. She dated her “Meteor Garden” co-star Zhou Yumin (who played Hua Ze Lei) for four years. She later married Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei in a high-profile wedding in 2011, and the couple had two children. After a decade of marriage, they divorced in 2021. In a surprising turn of events that delighted fans, she rekindled and married her first love, Korean DJ Koo Jun-yup, in 2022.

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Barbie Hsu with her first and last love, Korean DJ Koo Jun-yup
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Hsu, who had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, leaves behind a legacy that deeply influenced Thai popular culture. Thai social media has been flooded with tributes from fans sharing memories of her performances and the impact she had on their lives through “Meteor Garden” and her subsequent work.

Her “Meteor Garden” co-star Ken Chu expressed his shock on social media, joining countless Thai celebrities and fans in mourning the loss of this cherished star who bridged cultural boundaries and remained a beloved figure in Thailand’s entertainment landscape.

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