METEOR GARDEN STAR BARBIE HSU DIES AT 48

TAIWANESE star Barbie Hsu who played the role of Shan Cai in the 2001 popular drama show Meteor Garden on Monday died of pneumonia.  She was 48.

Her family confirmed her death.

 “Thanks for all the concern. Over the Chinese New Year period, our entire family travelled to Japan for a holiday, and my most beloved, kindest elder sister Barbie came down with influenza-related pneumonia and has unfortunately left us,” read the statement.

“I am thankful to be her sister in this life, and grateful that we have taken care of each other and kept each other company all these years. I will always be thankful to her and remember her. Shan (Barbie Hsu’s nickname), rest in peace. We love you always. Together remember forever,”  added the statement.

The statement was sent to Taiwanese media by her family via the manager of her younger sister, famed TV host Dee Hsu.

Barbie’s co-starts in Meteor Garden Jerry Yan and Ken Chu posted a heartfelt tribute to Barbie.

“Thankful for meeting you. In your carefree childlike years, you used to say, treat every day as if it were your last. To have a good time. May this time you walk slowly. From now on, in another world, there will be no troubles and the years will be peaceful,” Jerry’s  Instagram post read.

Ken also paid tribute to his Meteor Garden co-star following the actress’s untimely passing.

On Instagram stories Monday, the Taiwanese singer and actor posted a solid black photo.

He also reposted a throwback photo of the cast of Meteor Garden.

Animal rights group PETA said it was “heartbroken” over Barbie’s  death, noting she was “one of the first and biggest stars” to support the organization.

Filipino fans and netizens are also mourning Barbie’s death.

Barbie played the role of Shan Cai in the 2001 hit drama Meteor Garden, which she co-starred with Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Vanness Wu, and Ken Chu.

Meteor Garden was the first ever live-adaptation series of Yoko Kamio’s manga series Boys over Flowers,  and quickly rose to fame after a successful first season that spanned 27 episodes. 

The now-iconic idol drama became a cultural phenomenon in the Philippines at the time of its release, becoming one of the highest-rating shows on local television, and paving the way for more appreciation for Asianovelas. 

Barbie married Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei in 2010 and they had two children, according to  Taiwanese media.