Film & TV

Remembering Barbie Hsu, The Icon Who Sparked ‘Meteor Fever’ In PH

The Taiwanese actress, best known for her leading role as Shan Cai on the hit drama ‘Meteor Garden,’ passed away on February 2 at the age of 48 due to influenza-related pneumonia

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barbie hsu on location for film MOTORWAY 車手
Barbie Hsu on the set of Motorway 車手 in 2010. Photo by Ding Yuin Shan/Flickr

It felt like something out of prime time TV. When Barbie Hsu, star of the hit Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden, visited the Philippines in 2003, the frenzy surrounding the show was so intense that at least 100 policemen were deployed to control the crowds.

Hsu, together with co-stars Ken Zhu and Vaness Wu, were secretly whisked out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport to dodge the frenzied crowd of screaming fans waiting outside. In a move straight out of a spy thriller, managers from TV network ABS-CBN deployed two “decoys” — Filipino actors in wigs — to lead the paparazzi astray. It was the peak of “Meteor fever” in the Philippines, with fans in full-blown hysteria.

Meteor Garden centers around poor college student Dong Shan Cai (Hsu) who is bullied by the F4, a group of four rich boys who dominate the school’s social hierarchy. Things get messy when the F4’s leader, Dao Ming Si (Jerry Jan) begins to fall for her. First aired on ABS-CBN in 2003, Meteor Garden has captured the hearts of Filipino audiences for over two decades.

Often hailed as the first popular “Chinovela” in the Philippines, Meteor Garden became such a massive hit that it aired over eight times on ABS-CBN from 2003 to 2010. Initially broadcast in the afternoon at 3:30 p.m., the show eventually earned a prime-time slot right after TV Patrol at 7:30 p.m. Eager to ride the wave of “Meteor Fever,” ABS-CBN launched a series of Taiwanese dramas — including Love Scar, Girls Marching On, and Eternity: A Chinese Ghost Story — further fueling the Chinovela craze across the nation. The success of Meteor Garden predicted the rise of Chinovelas, “Asianovelas,” and Korean dramas in the country, paving the way for an influx of Asian media that continue to resonate with Filipino audiences.

A big reason for the show’s success was Hsu’s portrayal of Shan Cai, a strong-willed yet grounded heroine who captivated audiences with her resilience and no-nonsense approach to dealing with her love interest. Her undeniable chemistry with Dao Ming Si kept viewers hooked, eager for more of their story.

Hsu, who passed away on February 2, left an indelible mark on Filipino television and the hearts of fans around the world. Believed to have fallen ill with influenza-related pneumonia on a recent trip to Japan, Hsu passed at the age of 48. Her portrayal of Shan Cai became a symbol of strength, vulnerability, and authenticity, resonating deeply with audiences. Hsu’s performance inspired generations and her legacy continues to shine as a cherished part of television history.

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