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Li Xian is back on screen and he’s not playing it safe. The Chinese actor’s latest drama, A Prophet (also known as If Time Flows Back), finally premiered on 13 May 2025 after being shelved for nearly three years — and it wasted no time setting the internet ablaze.
Why? Well, a certain scene where Li Xian drops his clothes and steps into a steamy bath, might have something to do with it.
The drama follows a group of Chinese students navigating life in Japan during the final days of the Qing Dynasty — a tense era steeped in revolution and identity.
But for many viewers, it was Li Xian’s six-pack abs, glistening skin, and completely unfiltered bath-time moment that stole the show, trending immediately on Weibo and Douyin with fans labelling it a “visual blessing” and “top-tier fan service.”
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But just as the buzz peaked, the mood quickly soured — especially among Liu Yifei’s loyal fanbase.
The controversy? A simple social media follow… or lack thereof.
When promoting A Prophet, Li Xian called on several celebrity friends to help generate buzz online, including Liu Yifei — his co-star from the 2022 hit Meet Yourself.
Ever the professional, Liu Yifei responded warmly with a supportive post. But eagle-eyed netizens quickly noticed a glaring detail: Li Xian hadn’t even been following Liu Yifei on Weibo prior to her promotion of his show.
Even worse? He only hit that “follow” button after she’d done him the favour.
Fans of Liu Yifei didn’t take it lightly. “You don’t follow someone you've worked with for three years — but follow her after she promotes your drama? That’s not friendship, that’s opportunism,” one viral post fumed. Another user called him “calculated and cold,” accusing him of only showing up when he needs a favour.
Li Xian did try to smooth things over, replying with a polite “thank you” and joking about treating Liu Yifei to a traditional Chinese boiled chicken meal. But that only made things worse — the joke fell flat, with many calling it dismissive and “not nearly enough” to justify the perceived slight.
“Li Xian may be charming on screen, but in real life? Thick-skinned and too real,” said one fan account that usually supports both stars.
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Despite the drama, A Prophet has made a strong debut, landing at No. 3 on Maoyan’s drama rankings. Still, it’s trailing behind The Prisoner of Beauty, led by Liu Yuning and Song Zuer, which seems to be soaking up most of the audience love at the moment.
If Time Flows Back dives deep into themes of identity, loyalty, and national pride, focusing on the difficult crossroads young Chinese intellectuals faced abroad in a politically volatile time. It’s well-shot, packed with emotional punch, and rich with historical detail — but, ironically, it's the modern drama off-screen that’s getting more attention than the story itself.
As of now, Li Xian hasn’t addressed the backlash directly. But his situation is a reminder that in today’s digital world, a single social media misstep — or a missed follow — can snowball into full-blown PR chaos. Especially when it involves someone as beloved as Liu Yifei.