Remembering 'Meteor Garden' Star, Barbie Hsu Who Passed at 48
The Taiwanese actress' legacy remains, not just as a thespian but as a woman who lived and loved with fierce intensity.
Romantic characters are born from the dreams we all carry, and in that magical world, Barbie Hsu has become an unforgettable figure in the hearts of millienial audiences. With her ethereal beauty and a natural ability to bring romance to life on screen, she carved out an irreplaceable place in the idol drama genre. Her roles weren’t just performances; they were cherished memories, woven into the fabric of an era defined by love, longing, and youthful passion.
On February 2, her sister, Dee Hsu, shared the sad news that the Taiwanese actress has passed away due to complications from influenza. In memory of Hsu, we look back at her rise of fame and what made her so beloved by many.
The End of Everyday Life
Beyond the screen, Hsu’s resilience was just as captivating as the characters she portrayed. Every glance, every subtle movement, carried a depth that made audiences fall in love with her time and time again. She embodied the bold, fiercely independent Shan Cai in Meteor Garden, a girl who defied class barriers and stood up for love. She was also the passionate, unyielding Yin Xiamo in Summer’s Desire, a woman who refused to be broken by life’s challenges. Her co-star Peter Ho once recalled her strength and spirit with admiration:
"No matter the time, her eyes always held the same fire, the same resilience of Yin Xiamo. She was gentle yet righteous, strong yet compassionate—like a fearless heroine who always knew how to pull me out of trouble. To me, she will always be the beautiful, courageous Yin Xiamo."
That same fearless determination defined Barbie Hsu in real life. Her love story with DJ Koo was nothing short of cinematic—a reunion after more than 20 years apart, proving that time could never erase true connection. When asked about her decision to marry him, she brushed off doubts with characteristic certainty:
"Many people worry that I will be disillusioned, but I am not afraid. Koo Jun Yup is still the same man I knew over 20 years ago. Even if things change in the future, it doesn’t matter—I have already made up my mind."
Two doors in love
This was the essence of Barbie Hsu—someone who followed her heart without hesitation, who listened to her intuition and pursued love with fearless conviction. She never calculated risks in matters of the heart, choosing instead to dive in with the unshakable resolve of someone who knew life was too short for hesitation.
In a 2008 interview, she openly shared her philosophy on love, "I am a strong person in love. I love deeply, I hate clearly, and I never give up on finding happiness after heartbreak. When I decide to love someone, there are only two options—marriage or a clean break." Her manager, Dai S, once put it even more simply, "Barbie Hsu can do anything for love. Once she falls, no one can stop her."
She was not one to linger in the past. After a breakup, she believed in severing all ties, deleting memories that no longer served her, and moving forward without regrets. "When a relationship ends, I want everything to be clear, with no uncertainty, no lingering attachments," she once stated.
And though Barbie Hsu has passed, her legacy remains, not just as a beloved actress but as a woman who lived and loved with fierce intensity. She was more than a star—she was a force, a dream, and a reminder that love, in all its beauty and bravery, is always worth chasing.
