#SHOWBIZ: Barbie Hsu's family marks her 50th birthday with tears, laughter at her grave

Taipei - The family and cherished friends of the late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu congregated at her grave in New Taipei on October 6th to commemorate the birthday she would have celebrated at 50. Her younger sister Dee Hsu, aged 48 at the time, shared photographs of the heartfelt gathering at Chin Pao San Cemetery, which included their mother Barbie's spouse DJ Koo, 57, and close friends such as singer Christine Fan and former actor Blackie Chen.

Barbie passed away at the age of 48 in February 2025, succumbing to influenza-related pneumonia during a family vacation in Japan. Despite the somber atmosphere, her loved ones opted to honor her birthday with delectable treats, a cake in her favorite flavor, and champagne. Pink blossoms adorned her grave, while a bowl of seaweed soup was also placed upon the tombstone.

Taiwanese media speculated that DJ Koo might have prepared the soup, a tradition often observed in South Korea during birthdays. "My sister's 48th birthday," wrote Dee, "of course we had to come celebrate with her. We brought her favorite champagne and cake and sat beside her, crying and laughing as we shared stories and expressed our longing."

The tribute also reflected on the unpredictable weather, noting that by the end of the gathering, everyone was chilled. "Next year, I'll be older than her," Dee concluded with an emotional reflection. In another clip, Dee and the group can be seen singing "You Are My Sunshine" near Barbie's grave. Fans and friends left birthday messages online, with some remembering Barbie's notorious aversion to birthday celebrations.

Fellow actress Pace Wu also expressed remembrance, writing, "Xiyuan, we love and miss you. Happy birthday! You'll forever be someone we can never forget. BFF!" Some fans also expressed concern for DJ Koo, noticing how much he had aged and lost weight after his wife's passing.