Still Feeling Emotional Over Barbie Xu's Death

 

Was it too sudden or was it not too sudden? Barbie Xu (or Hsu in Taiwanese Pinyin) died during the Chinese New Year cycle. What's verified is that she had a history of epilepsy and heart problems. 

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu's passing at age 48 due to pneumonia from influenza complications sparked conversation online regarding the Taiwanese star's past health battles.

Barbie was known to have a heart disease called mitral valve prolapse, as well as epilepsy.

Focus Taiwan reported Barbie once opened up during an interview that she had "a history of mitral valve prolapse and epilepsy," and that she "nearly died from a seizure" during the birth of her son in 2016.

In late January 2025, Barbie and her family, including younger sister Dee Hsu, flew to Japan for vacation. Barbie caught the flu (influenza) and was hospitalized, but her condition progressed into pneumonia that led to her death. Dee confirmed her passing on February 3 through a statement released to the media.

Meteor Garden (2001) entered into the Philippines in 2003. It began to break barriers between Chinese Filipinos and their fellow Filipinos. Sure, there are dumb bigots in every generation. However, Meteor Garden began to let non-Mainland Chinese accept their cultural heritage, get non-Chinese closer to non-Chinese, and do many things that the late Bruce Lee wanted. 

Sure, I'm not stuck with Meteor Garden or F4. But Meteor Garden will always have a place in my heart. IMHO Barbie did better than Mao Inoue in bringing up Makino Tsukushi. Screw Koo Hye Sun's really irritating performance as Jan Di! I was practically Barbie all the way. Barbie retired in 2011 presumably due to health reasons. 

Meteor Garden was why I even got into Chinese entertainment -- from both Taiwan and China. I was hesitant to watch KDrama but I was interested in JDrama. KDrama was kind of "too strange" at first. Facing off against Zhen Xiu Zhen on-screen (and probably great friends IRL) may have been the best acting lesson. Xiu Zhen was a famous singer and actress from the 1970s to 1980s. Barbie and Xiu Zhen are both terrific actresses. However, that hasn't stopped me from wishing Leanne was Daoming Feng in Meteor Garden. 

Back then, I remember wanting to have Jerry Yan and Barbie play more scripts as if they were Chin Han and Leannie Liu. Watching Romance in the Rain (1986) exposed me to Chin Han and Leanne Liu. I wished that Jerry were He Shuhuan and Barbie were Lu Yiping. It's because Leanne's portrayal of Yiping had those fierce eyes only Barbie could've had. However, under Barbie's fierce exterior in Meteor Garden was a frail person behind. I wanted a reunion of the cast TBH. Jerry had Chin Han's passionate acting. Barbie had Leanne's similar appeal. I really wanted them to have another project together. However, Jerry and Barbie were pulled apart by real-life circumstances. 

I was already distanced from Chinese entertainment for some time. I'm more interested in KDrama these days while watching either Mainland Chinese or Taiwanese Chinese drama, on the side. However, Barbie was like that older sister I'll never have. Barbie was like the Chinese as a second language teacher that we all needed. It's just so sad that like Teresa Teng -- she had health problems and left the world too soon due to a respiratory problem. 

Farewell Barbie and thanks for all the contributions you've given! May the younger generation learn from your legacy at heart!