Media Coverage and Loved Ones Condolences Pour in on the Shocking Passing of TW-actress Barbie Hsu
TW-actress Barbie Hsu (Da S) may very well be one of the most famous TW-stars of all time, in a combination of the timing of her rise and her colorful personal life and strong personality. She transitioned from singing and variety hosting to acting right at the year 2001 with Meteor Garden, which is based on a wildly popular Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango, and at a time when Asian dramas (Korea, Taiwan, China, and Japan) was spreading through DVDs and early days of streaming worldwide. Earlier generations of Taiwan actors and actresses may have been bigger but remained regional well known figures due to Asian entertainment not being readily spread and as accessible globally during their eras, so Da S was right place and right star. Her dating history with other top stars and male leads like Vic Zhou and Blue Lan made her a tabloid darling, and her whirlwind dating to marriage with businessman Wang Xiaofei and their cross-border marriage added tons more stories for the media to cover. Even after she stopped acting over a decade ago she was a tabloid fixture through her divorce, acrimonious custody and finances, and then second marriage to reunited former boyfriend Koo Jun Yup (DJ Koo) was all covered on the weekly to the monthly.
So her sudden passing on what was a holiday trip with family to Japan is absolutely the #1 story in Taiwan ent and also getting global media coverage. Her passing was from complications with getting the flu leading to pneumonia (though there is a new rumor it was the above but the final cause of death was sepsis), and her falling ill escalated in the short span of four days. She even got medical treatment and discharged, before later falling gravely ill and rushed to the ER before passing. Her entire family was with her since this was a family trip (mom, sister Xiao S, nieces, brother-in-law, her own two kids, and her husband DJ Koo), and reportedly good friend Pace Wu happened to be there as well as part of the holiday group. Everyone there was by her side when she passed, and her remains have been cremated in Japan with her ashes to be brought back to Taiwan as the family plans her memorial. Her ex-husband Wang Xiaofei rushed from Thailand to Taiwan and was spotted totally distraught. I hope the media leaves everyone the f*&k alone and even Da S’s mom asked a friend to release a statement to the media that she hopes there is no media circus when they arrive back in Taiwan with her ashes, no car chases to get video, nothing that would make Da S feel terrible if she was alive to witness it. Since her passing, many TW-celebs most of whom are good friends to her have been posting their shock, grief, and remembrances of her online. May she rest in peace.



Still in shock over this news. So sad.
Happened so fast. This has got to be the most shocking celebrity death apart from Robin Williams. And I was shocked at QE2’s death as well since none was anticipated. Her children and husband must be devastated.
I was in shock all of yesterday…still am today but only finally accepting this as truth.
@cahill…I wrote a reply to you on first Barbie Hsu’s death comment in earlier article.
@Hl,still in shock, she was about the same generation as me , it seems like just “Yesterday” and already 25 years ! so true , back then we were young and thought that our loved ones would be forever with us…Strangely, it’s like i’m turning another page of my story ‘s book . I really do feel sad for his children and his long waited loving husband ! Life can be so cruel .
I still can’t believe this news even reading it yesterday and I’m replaying meteor garden on YouTube
I still can’t believe it. I thought it was kind of romantic how she married her ex-boyfriend from twenty years ago and how happy they must be together. They only had a few short years together. Hope he and the kids find strength and comfort in each other. Rest in peace.
I called the news fake when it first came out because it’s just so shocking. It feels like something made up. Just so so sad in every possible way and it’s yet to sink in.
She’ll always be remembered fondly for her influence not just in Taiwan but in Asia as well. Rest in Peace.
So young, with a full life ahead of her. A tragedy. She will be missed.
She most likely had been infected in Taiwan during the wedding banquet for her showbiz senior, per a renowned doctor in Taiwan. This sad news also triggered a slew of warning messages from the medical field on social media about flu season in Taiwan. The point: when you’re sick, please skip all the social occasions. Be aware of sick people around you sneezing and coughing here and there and perhaps you should just get out as soon as you can.
Gosh, I really dislike Wang Xiaofei’s mum. She is such a greedy woman. She makes me feel ill.
She had such a unique temperament and career. Everyone who worked with her or knew her had nothing but good things to say. She will definitely be missed. OT but, took a glimpse at Weibo and Cnetz really have no bottom line, these marketing accounts and comments truly have no shame regarding with whole tragedy.