Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛) had always been a beloved figure in the entertainment world, but on February 2, 2025, her vibrant presence was suddenly extinguished. She had traveled to Japan with her family for the Lunar New Year holiday, a time meant for joy and togetherness. Instead, the trip turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. Barbie succumbed to pneumonia brought on by influenza complications. She was just 48.
A household name across Asia, Barbie was an actress, singer, and television host. While the late artist was best known for her unforgettable role in Meteor Garden, her talent extended far beyond that. She also starred in Mars (2004) alongside Vic Chou, Corner with Love (2007), and Summer’s Desire (2010).
Her younger sister, Dee Hsu (徐熙娣), struggled to put the loss into words. Through her agent, Dee shared a heartbreaking statement:
“Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us.”
The grief was overwhelming, but alongside the sorrow was gratitude for the bond they shared.
“I was grateful to be her sister in this life and that we got to care for and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her!”
Here’s a look at her family and other intriguing details.
Who Were Her Parents and Siblings?
Barbie Hsu was born in 1976 in Taipei to Huang Chun-mei and Hsu Chien, growing up as the middle child of three sisters. Family meant everything to Barbie, and from a young age, the late actress shared an unbreakable bond with her siblings.
Her elder sister, Hsu Si-hsien, stayed mostly out of the public eye, while her younger sister, Dee Hsu, followed a similar path to Barbie—stepping into the spotlight as a television host, actress, and singer. Dee became a household name in Taiwan, celebrated for her sharp humor and effortless charisma.
From 2004 to 2016, Dee co-hosted Kangsi Coming alongside Kevin Tsai, a show that won them the Best Host in a Variety Programme award at the 40th Golden Bell Awards in 2005. She has also been hosting Hsu Girls Talk, keeping audiences entertained with her candid conversations.
Beyond the immediate family, Barbie had another connection to the media world—her cousin, Chelsey Chang Chia-ru, a respected journalist and news anchor.
Despite their individual pursuits, the Hsu family always remained tightly knit. The family runs a jewelry shop in Taipei.
Barbie Hsu’s Husbands and Kids
Hsu’s love life story wasn’t just about romance—it was about timing, circumstances, and the twists of fate that brought people together and tore them apart.
She was married to South Korean singer Koo Jun-yup, her former love from the late 1990s. On March 8, 2022, they shocked the world by announcing their marriage—decades after they had first fallen for each other. Their love had been put on hold in 2000, when Koo’s agency enforced a strict “dating ban”, forcing them apart.
In the years that followed, Barbie moved on, marrying someone else, while Koo dated other women. But fate had other plans. After a long separation, they reconnected and vowed to spend the rest of their lives together.
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Before Koo, Barbie was married to Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei. Their whirlwind romance led to a wedding on November 16, 2010, in Beijing, followed by a lavish banquet on Hainan Island in March 2011.
Their marriage brought two beautiful children into the world—daughter Wang Hsi-yueh, born April 24, 2014, and son Wang Hsi-lin, born May 14, 2016.
However, their relationship unraveled over the years, with rumors of infidelity and political tensions between Taiwan and China. On November 22, 2021, they finalized their divorce.
Barbie’s romantic history wasn’t limited to her two marriages. She spent seven years in a relationship with Blackie Chen, starting from their high school days. She later dated actor Blue Lan from 2001 to 2005, followed by a two-year romance with Vic Chou, her Mars co-star, until early 2008.
