Barbie Hsu’s best: 7 memorable Shan Cai moments from ‘Meteor Garden’

Barbie Hsu’s untimely death has inspired millions of her fans to remember her most iconic role.

Barbie Hsu may not be Taiwan’s most prolific actress but she’s certainly one of the most iconic. From her early days as a Taiwanese pop sensation to becoming a beloved star across Asia, Hsu captivated audiences with her effortless charm, striking beauty and undeniable talent.

For many, her role as the headstrong Dong Shan Cai in Taiwan’s original adaptation of Meteor Garden (the Hana Yori Dango manga) is a picture of millennial girl power. Her memorable portrayal made Meteor Garden a drama that defined a generation and set the gold standard for modern Asian romance series.

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Her untimely passing has left fans in mourning, reflecting on the unforgettable moments she gave to the screen—none more iconic than her spirited defiance against the infamous Dao Ming Si. Today, we remember her legacy with our favourite moments in her role as as Dong Shan Cai in Meteor Garden.

1. When she refused to leave after getting the red card

Ying De Academy may be a prestigious university, but it’s practically ruled by the F4, the four heirs to Taiwan’s most powerful elite families. Anyone who crosses them receives a red card, a social death sentence that means relentless bullying until the student is forced to drop out.

When Shan Cai stands up for her friend, she earns the ire of Dao Ming Si (Jerry Yan) and gets her own red card. But rather than leave quietly, she wages war on the F4. Her fiery defiance not only earns her the grudging respect of the F4 but also marks the beginning of a complicated relationship with Dao Ming Si.

2. When she plays the piano in front of Dao Ming Si’s mother

As with many dramas surrounding the elite, the mother is a force to be reckoned with. Dao Ming Feng (Zhen Xiu Zhen), the powerful and ruthless matriarch of the Dao family, immediately disapproves of Shan Cai and schemes to humiliate her at Dao Ming Si’s birthday banquet. The F4 try to pass Shan Cai off as a girl from a wealthy background, but Dao Ming Feng isn’t fooled. She challenges Shan Cai to prove her supposed refinement by playing the piano in front of the guests.

Shan Cai nervously walks up the stage but starts banging on the keys. Dao Ming Feng tries to stop her but Shan Cai starts playing “Mariage d’Amour” by Paul de Senneville—the one and only song she knows. But it’s not just about the music. With a speech about materialism and self-worth, she turns the moment into a powerful stand against Dao Ming Feng’s values.

3. When she gives Dao Ming Si cookies for his birthday

What do you give a man who has everything? Shan Cai may still be in denial about her feelings for Dao Ming Si, but she still wants to make him happy. With borrowed baking equipment, she whips up a batch of cookies shaped like his infamous “pineapple” hair, no less. The cookies end up burnt, but Dao Ming Si is touched by the effort. The best part? The comedic chaos that ensues when Hua Ze Lei (Vic Zhou) mistakenly eats one.

4. When she protects Dao Ming Si from getting beaten up

The F4’s reign of terror at Ying De has left behind a trail of victims, including Xiao Shun (Li Wei Wei), a young man seeking revenge for his late friend. He kidnaps Shan Cai to lure Dao Ming Si into a trap, leading to a brutal ambush. Dao Ming Si, refusing to fight back, takes the blows to protect Shan Cai. But when Xiao Shun tries to land the final hit, Shan Cai shields Dao Ming Si with her own body, begging them to stop. The moment is a turning point, not just in their relationship but in Dao Ming Si’s own character arc.

5. When she plays basketball for her place in school

After Shan Cai shares a kiss with Hua Ze Lei, a jealous and furious Dao Ming Si expels her, Hua Ze Lei, and their friend Chen Qing He (Edward Ou) from school. Enter Dao Ming Zhuang (Mary Hsu), Dao Ming Si’s fiercely protective older sister, who suggests a basketball match to settle the matter. Shan Cai’s team faces off against the F4 in a battle for their place at Ying De. Though outmatched, Shan Cai fights tooth and nail—until Hua Ze Lei strategically plays on Dao Ming Si’s jealousy, flustering him and forcing him to call off the game.

6. When she takes care of Dao Ming Si in the stairwell

Dao Ming Si finally asks Shan Cai out on a proper date, but still unsure about her feelings, she hesitates. When she finally arrives at the rendezvous four hours later, she finds him drenched in the rain, lashing out at anyone who tries to help him. As they seek shelter in a stairwell, Dao Ming Si suddenly grows amorous, leading Shan Cai to realise he has a fever. When he collapses onto her lap, Shan Cai tenderly lets him rest, marking one of their most intimate and vulnerable moments.

7. When she and Dao Ming Si win against his mother

Above (photo: IMDB)

(photo: IMDB)

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Once Shan Cai admits her love for Dao Ming Si, his mother escalates her opposition, arranging a strategic engagement for him. Refusing to be controlled, Dao Ming Si goes on a hunger strike, and Shan Cai is given one chance to speak to him but only on the condition that she convinces him to give up. Torn but determined, Shan Cai initially plays along, but Dao Ming Si sees through it and reminds her that their relationship is worth fighting for.

In a dramatic turn, Shan Cai plants herself outside his house, refusing to eat just like him. The standoff continues until Dao Ming Feng finally relents, and the couple emerges victorious. With their biggest obstacle behind them, they finally share a well-earned, carefree date, marking the end of one battle.