The news of Barbie Hsu's passing has left a gaping hole in the hearts of her fans worldwide. It feels surreal, like a bad dream we cannot wake up from. To think that such a vibrant, talented woman, so full of life, has been taken from us so suddenly by influenza... it is simply heartbreaking. We, her fans, are reeling.
For those who don't know, Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛), or "Big S" as we affectionately called her, was more than just a beautiful face. She was a force of nature. Her performances, whether in front of the camera or on stage, were captivating. She poured her heart and soul into everything she did, and it showed. We were drawn to her charisma, her strength, and her undeniable talent. She was an inspiration to so many of us.
Barbie Hsu is best known for her leading role as Shan Cai (杉菜) in the hit 2001 Taiwanese drama series Meteor Garden (流星花園) where she played opposite Jerry Yan (言承旭) as Daoming Si (道明寺).
To lose her like this, to a seemingly "common" illness like the flu, makes the tragedy even more poignant. It's a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, and how even someone as seemingly vibrant and healthy as Barbie could be taken from us so quickly. It makes the grief feel even sharper.
In the wake of this devastating news, many of us are sharing our favourite memories of Barbie. We’re re-watching her dramas, listening to her music, and remembering the joy she brought into our lives. Her smile, her laughter, her undeniable presence – these are the things we hold onto now. We celebrate her life and mourn her loss.
While some discussions are happening about the potential impact of COVID-19 on influenza and similar illnesses, right now, for many of us fans, the focus is on Barbie. We remember her, we cherish her work, and we grieve the future we won't get to share with her. Her light may have been extinguished too soon, but the memories she created, the joy she shared, will live on in the hearts of her fans forever. Rest in peace, Big S. You will be deeply missed.
