Before social media took over and before streaming platforms dominated, there was Meteor Garden—the ultimate teen obsession that redefined Asian drama fandom.

From its engaging storyline to its unforgettable soundtrack, the series became a cultural phenomenon, keeping an entire generation glued to their screens—swooning over the rebellious yet tender-hearted Dao Ming Si and the ever-loyal Hua Ze Lei.

Originally adapted from Yoko Kamio’s Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers), the 2001 Taiwanese drama was the first live-action adaptation of the teen rom-com.

Meteor Garden didn’t just deliver a love story—it set the standard.

For Filipino audiences who initially followed family dramas like Flordeluna and AnnaLiza in the ’80s, and later became hooked on Mexicanovelas like Marimar in the ’90s, the idea of having not just one but multiple central figures—each ultra-wealthy, ultra-handsome, and ultra-popular—was a game-changer.

Female lead Shan Cai is both enviable and relatable.

Despite being an ordinary girl, she finds herself entangled with the elite F4—Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei, Ximen, and Mei Zuo—at the prestigious Ying De University.

From Asia to the rest of the world, Meteor Garden became a massive sensation, drawing millions of viewers and spawning multiple remakes across different countries.

Fans memorized every romantic line, copied the lead stars’ fashion , and debated whether they were Team Dao Ming Si or Team Huaze Lei.

Even decades later, its influence is undeniable, with newer dramas still drawing inspiration from its magic.

Beyond catapulting its cast into superstardom, Meteor Garden redefined idol dramas and sparked a wave of F4-inspired boy groups, solidifying its legacy as more than just a love story—it became a landmark in entertainment history.

But where are its stars now? Let’s find out.

METEOR GARDEN (2001)

Barbie Hsu (Dong Shan Cai)

Before taking on the role of the feisty yet lovable Dong Shan Cai, Barbie Hsu has already been launched to the public eye as “Big S” from the pop duo S.O.S. (Sisters of Shu).

Over the years, she continued her acting career with memorable performances in Mars (2004), Corner with Love (2007), and Summer’s Desire (2010).

She also starred in the following movie: The Ghost Inside (2005), Silk (2006), My So Called Love (2008), Hot Summer Days (2010), Future X-Cops (2010), and Reign of Assassins (2010).

Barbie stepped away from acting following her marriage to Wang Xiaofei in 2011.

Her daughter Wang Hsi-yueh was born in 2014 and her son Wang Hsi-lin in 2016.

Before giving birth, she managed to do do two movies: Million Dollar Crocodile (2012) and Motorway (2012).

Barbie and Wang divorced in 2021.

After the split, she quietly rekindled her romance with South Korean singer Koo Jun Yup, marrying him in a private ceremony on March 8, 2022.

Tragically, the next major news about Barbie was her passing.

She died on February 2, 2025, at the age of 48, due to pneumonia resulting from complications of influenza.

Jerry Yan (Dao Ming Si)

Jerry Yan cemented the gold standard for brooding male leads in Asian dramas.

Even after Meteor Garden, he has remained a powerhouse in the industry, starring in The Hospital (2006), Hot Shot (2008), Down With Love (2010), Loving, Never Forgetting (2014), Count Your Lucky Stars (2020), and The Forbidden Flower (2023).

In the age of social media, he went viral in 2020 for his bathtub scene in the first episode of Count Your Lucky Stars, which co-starred Shen Yue, the female lead of Meteor Garden (2018).

To date, his filmography includes five movies: Magic Kitchen (2004), Ripples of Desire (2012), Lupin III: Necklace of Cleopatra (2014), Our Times (2015), and Tempting Times (2021).

As one of Taiwan’s most eligible celebrity heartthrobs, Jerry’s love life has been closely followed by fans worldwide.

Yet, at 48, he remains a bachelor.

Vic Zhou (Huaze Lei)

While Meteor Garden earned Vic Zhou his supserstar status, he moved beyond the typical idol drama mold.

His early projects, Poor Prince and Love Storm, followed the standard romantic formula, but his 2004 role in Mars marked a turning point in his career. Portraying twin brothers grappling with deep psychological struggles, he uncovered a greater passion for acting.

This newfound dedication led him to take on more complex and emotionally layered roles in Silence, Sweet Relationship, and Wish to See You Again.

His film career took off with Linger (2008) alongside Li Bingbing, followed by his acclaimed performance in the 2009 police drama Black & White, where he played a conflicted detective caught in a web of corruption.

The role earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 44th Golden Bell Awards.

In 2010, he won “Most Popular Taiwanese Actor” at the Seoul International Drama Awards and starred in the hit romantic comedy Love You 10,000 Years, which became one of Taiwan’s top-grossing Chinese films that year.

Off-screen, Vic leads a quiet life with his wife, model-actress Reen Yu, whom he met on the set of Black & White in 2009.

Their romance went public in 2012 and culminated in a wedding in 2015.

The couple shares an eight-year-old daughter, affectionately nicknamed “Little Trumpet,” who—much to fans’ amusement—prefers BLACKPINK over F4’s classic hits.

Ken Chu (Ximen)

Ken Chu stuck with acting after Meteor Garden, taking the lead role in Sky of Love (2003) and Tokyo Trial (2006).

Among his projects was the Philippine film Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan in 2007, where he was paired with Filipino actress Iza Calzado.

His acting career never wavered, and in 2025, he will appear as Bao Zheng in the highly anticipated television series Justice Bao.

In addition to acting, he ventured into music, releasing his debut solo album On Ken’s Time in January 2005.

The album included the tracks “Never Stopping” and “La La La,” both of which earned nominations for the Top 10 Gold Songs at the Hong Kong TVB8 Awards.

Beyond entertainment, Ken showcased his passion for food and even published a cookbook titled Mei Wei Guan Xi (Delicious Relations), which was released in China on July 4, 2006, and later in Japan.

In 2016, he married Chinese actress Han Wen Wen in a picturesque Bali wedding at The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas – Nusa Dua.

The couple, who originally planned to wed in Beijing, chose Bali after a photo shoot at the resort.

Their ceremony took place at a floating glass chapel, followed by a beachfront reception where Ken performed with his band and Wen Wen played a solo guitar piece.

Vanness Wu (Mei zuo)

After Meteor Garden, Vanness Wu shifted his focus to music, achieving success as a solo artist and collaborating with international musicians.

His first Japanese single, “Only,” broke into the Oricon Chart’s Top 10 in 2009, followed by “I Don’t Wanna Lose You.”

He continued his musical journey with C’est La V (2011), an album featuring collaborations with Ryan Tedder, Bruno Mars, and Justin Michael.

Aside from music, Vanness built a diverse career in entertainment, starring in several Taiwanese dramas, most notably Autumn’s Concerto (2009), one of Taiwan’s highest-rated idol dramas.

In 2010, he took on an executive producer role for the television series Year of the Rain. He later expanded into film, playing Hartman Wu, a U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant and Bruce Lee’s student, in Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019).

He also took on a villainous role in the Chinese series The Princess Weiyoung (2016).

Vaness’ influence extends to fashion and business, having launched his own jewelry line, 3.V.O.7, and serving as the creative director for Reebok’s Greater China division.

In 2015, he became a judge on Asia’s Got Talent, joining Anggun, David Foster, and Melanie C.

Vanness’s personal life also made headlines, particularly his marriage to Singaporean heiress Arissa Cheo in 2013. The couple, however, divorced in 2018 after years of highs and lows.

Now, he continues to balance his music, acting, and faith-based endeavors, remaining very visible in the entertainment industry.

Rainie Yang (Xiao You)

One of the biggest breakout stars after Meteor Garden is Rainie Yang, now 40 years old, and thriving as a chart-topping singer.

After playing the role of Xiao You—Shan Cai’s best friend—she would go on to headline hit Taiwanese dramas like Devil Beside You (2005), Why Why Love (2007), and Hi My Sweetheart (2009), for which she received the Golden Bell Award for Best Actress.

By 2021, Rainie had shifted her focus entirely to music, holding multiple world tours over the last three years.

Among her award-winning songs were “Meeting Love” (2007), “We Are All Silly” (2012), “Forgotten” (2013), “Angel Wings” (2014), “Snore” (2015), “Traces of Time in Love” (2017), and “Delete, Reset” (2020).

Beyond her career, Rainie Yang married Chinese singer-songwriter Li Ronghao. In September 2019, she confirmed that they had officially registered their marriage, just two months after their engagement.

METEOR GARDEN II (2002)

Michelle Saram (Princess Ye Sha)

Sequels often introduce a romantic rival to shake up the main couple’s love story, and Michelle Saram took on that role in Meteor Garden II as the enigmatic Princess Ye Sha.

Following her stint in the series, she appeared in four more dramas between 2003 and 2006 before going on a hiatus for over a decade.

In 2010, reports surfaced that Michelle had married Ajai Lauw-Zecha, a Chinese-Indonesian socialite and the son of businessman Adrian Lauw-Zecha, founder of Aman Resorts. His family, the Lauw-Sim-Zecha clan, is part of the Cabang Atas, the Chinese gentry of colonial Indonesia.

After settling down, Michelle shifted her focus to wellness, becoming a certified health coach and specializing in yoga and aerial yoga.

Her return to acting began in 2017 with the neo-noir Hong Kong action film Paradox, followed by roles in Flying Tiger (2018), Who Sells Bricks in Hong Kong (2020), and Sunday (2023).

She is also set to appear in the upcoming Hong Kong historical science fiction action film Back to the Past.