Barbie Hsu has played many memorable roles that left a lasting impression on audiences. Among them, Meteor Garden remains her most famous drama.

Rising to Stardom with Meteor Garden

Barbie Hsu started her career as a singer and TV host, but she rose to fame across Asia after portraying Shan Cai in the Taiwanese idol drama Meteor Garden. Her performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Bell Awards. This role served as a launching pad for the entire cast, but especially for Barbie Hsu. She skyrocketed to A-list status and became highly sought after by film and television producers.

In Meteor Garden, Shan Cai, played by Barbie Hsu, is an ordinary girl with a strong-willed personality. She is often compared to resilient wild grass—able to survive through hardships and adversity. Faced with bullying and oppression from wealthy young men like Dao Ming Si, Shan Cai never backs down. She remains firm in her principles and courageously stands up for herself. In the end, she wins Dao Ming Si’s love. Over the years, many versions of Meteor Garden have been produced, but Barbie Hsu’s portrayal of Shan Cai remains iconic.

Reuniting with Vic Chou in God of War

God of War is a youth-oriented drama adapted from a Japanese manga of the same name, directed by Tsai Yueh-Hsun and starring Vic Chou, Barbie Hsu, and Xu Zhi Kai. The series follows the story of Chen Ling (played by Vic Chou), a young man passionate about racing after his brother’s suicide. He later meets the love of his life (played by Barbie Hsu). The drama aired in 2004 and gained widespread attention due to the reunion of Vic Chou and Barbie Hsu after Meteor Garden. Off-screen, the two actors also dated for a time before parting ways.

The Success of Summer’s Desire

Beyond Meteor Garden, another drama that took Asia by storm was Summer’s Desire. Thanks to her success in idol dramas, Barbie Hsu earned the title of “Queen of Idol Dramas.” In the series, she played Yin Xia Mo, a beautiful and talented woman with a turbulent past. Barbie Hsu perfectly portrayed Xia Mo’s inner strength, independence, and struggles between love and career. When faced with affection from two men, Ou Chen and Luo Xi, she made her own choices, demonstrating the maturity and emotional depth of a grown woman.

A New Side in Corner of Love

In Corner of Love, Barbie Hsu played a cheerful, kind-hearted, and courageous young woman. Originally a wealthy heiress, her life took a drastic turn due to family circumstances, leading her to Shanghai, where she embarked on a beautiful love story with Qin Lang (played by Show Lo). Barbie Hsu captured the innocence and growth of her character naturally, revealing a new side of herself to audiences.

Venturing into Film

Barbie Hsu also starred in notable films such as The Creepy Silk (2006) and Sword Rain (2010). She received a Best Actress nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards for her role in Keep Talking (2008). This film marked her transition from idol dramas to more psychologically complex roles, proving her ability to reinvent herself.

Tragic Passing

On the morning of February 3, news of Barbie Hsu’s passing shocked the entertainment industry. The actress passed away due to complications from the flu and pneumonia while traveling in Japan with her family. As of now, her family has not released details about her funeral arrangements.