As Wang Xiaofei celebrated his wedding with Mandy on May 17 at a luxury hotel in Beijing, netizens couldn’t help but revisit his infamous 2011 wedding to actress Barbie Hsu, fondly remembered by fans as “Shan Cai” from Meteor Garden.
The new ceremony drew attention for its meticulous planning, lavish floral displays, and the bride’s eye-catching ensemble featuring gold accessories and a golden bridal bouquet. But the festivities also reopened old wounds for fans of Barbie Hsu, who endured what many call a “storm of misfortune” on her own wedding day 14 years ago.
Barbie Hsu’s Turbulent Marriage 14 Years Ago
Held in Sanya, China, the 2011 nuptials were billed as a “wedding of the century.” The Wang family spared no expense, booking two 6-star hotels for a three-day, three-night celebration and spending over 30 million TWD (~1 million USD) on flights and accommodations for guests.
Yet, the event was plagued by chaos from the start. A once-in-a-decade storm brought fierce winds, disrupting everything from floral decorations to bridal attire. Bridesmaids struggled with their dresses, and Barbie had to remove her veil just to walk down the aisle. Despite being the bride, she was overshadowed by attention-seeking celebrity guests, turning what should’ve been her spotlight moment into what media dubbed a “disorderly comedy show.”
Adding to the drama was Barbie’s strained relationship with her then-mother-in-law, Zhang Lan. Zhang famously claimed China’s richest man, Wang Jianlin, had sponsored the wedding and that the proceeds would go to charity. But Wang’s son, Wang Sicong, publicly refuted the claim, stating his father had never even met Zhang Lan, and hinted at possible charity fund mismanagement—turning public sentiment sharply against the newlyweds.
Even more tragically, Barbie reportedly **suffered a miscarriage just four days before the wedding **and allegedly wanted to cancel the ceremony but was pressured to proceed by Wang Xiaofei.
Netizens Voice Sympathy for Barbie Hsu’s Tumultuous Wedding
Netizens today are voicing both sympathy and criticism, with some saying, “She deserved so much more” and pointing to the lackluster wedding gifts at the time, which included digestive medicine and a pink T-shirt with “WS” initials—drawing unfavorable comparisons to the exquisite gifts offered at Wang and Mandy’s current wedding.
While some criticize Wang Xiaofei for failing to show care and attention during his first marriage, others suggest he may have learned from past mistakes. “Maybe his failed marriage with Barbie made him grow,” one user wrote.
Regardless of interpretation, one sentiment dominates online: Barbie Hsu weathered more than just literal storms on her wedding day—and her grace in the face of chaos remains unforgettable.