Barbie Hsu’s sister, TV host Dee Hsu, admitted that she still blames herself for organizing the Japan family trip that led to the Meteor Garden star’s passing.
During an episode of her talk show Dee Girls Talk, Dee reflected on the 2025 Japan trip where Barbie contracted flu-induced pneumonia, which ultimately led to her passing on February 3, 2025, at the age of 48.
Looking back, Dee shared that it was unusual for Barbie to agree to travel, recalling how her sister would often decline such plans.
“Usually, Barbie would say she was tired and not want to go. But this time, she insisted we must go,” she recalled, as translated by AsiaOne.
The trip, which took place during the Chinese New Year season, was initially opposed by their mother, Huang Chun-mei, who pointed out the higher travel costs and heavy crowds during the festive period. Still, Dee, Barbie, and their eldest sister Shi-hsien decided to push through, seeing it as a rare opportunity for their children to travel together abroad.
For Dee, that decision has since become a source of deep guilt as she was the one who first suggested it.
"I was the one who initiated the trip first. So, whenever we miss Barbie and talk about her, I would tell my mum, 'It's all because I insisted on the trip then.'”
Barbie Hsu Instagram / Yahoo Life Singapore
Despite her mother’s attempts to comfort her, Dee admitted that regrets still linger when she remembers the past.
"Whenever I say that, my mum would tell me not to think about it this way and blame myself because it would be harder for me to move on. But this is the fact, so I can't help but wonder, 'Why didn't I listen to my mum at the time?'"
Grief, she shared, has been something she has had to carry while staying strong for her family. Dee revealed that she could not fully isolate herself, as she needed to care for her husband and their daughter, Alice. She also admitted to occasionally turning to alcohol, but said she became mindful of how it affected her child.
"I thought then that I can't show such behaviour in front of my daughter, because it would scare her and she needs me to be well, so I have to bottle up my emotions," Dee expressed.
Since then, she has been coping by keeping herself occupied and watching dramas to manage her emotions.
“At the time, I hoped I could sleep constantly… I didn’t want to wake up and face the world.”
Barbie, widely known for her role as Shan Cai in the hit drama Meteor Garden, remains deeply cherished by fans and loved ones. A memorial statue was unveiled in her honor at Chin Pao San Cemetery in New Taipei City just last February, attended by close friends and co-stars including Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, and Rainie Yang.
Her husband, DJ Koo, also penned a deeply emotional tribute to her to commemorate her memory.
“I’m sorry for showing you such a weak side of me. But this is the last way I have to soothe my longing for you. I hope you understand... Barbie, when we meet again, let’s stay together forever. I miss you. I miss you so much it hurts. I miss you to death. From your forever Gwang-to oppa, Jun-jun,” part of his letter read.