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| Liu Yuning Shares His Story: From Scraping By in Shenzhen to Selling Out Arenas (Weibo/腾讯娱乐) |
Chinese singer-actor Liu Yuning got a bit emotional during his latest concert in Shenzhen, as he opened up about the gritty, no-glam beginnings of his career that started right there in the very same city. And honestly? It’s the kind of story that makes you want to root for him even harder.
“This city is full of memories for me,” he told fans. “Over a decade ago when I first went out looking for a job, I came here to Shenzhen.”
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Let’s rewind to 2006, when 16-year-old Liu left his hometown Dandong, Liaoning with nothing but determination and a backpack full of dreams. His first stop? Shenzhen. His first job? A jack-of-all-trades kind of hustle – part-time cook, server, even a flyer boy handing out brochures.
And the pay? Not much to sing about. He started with a monthly salary of just 800 yuan – though the first month, he only got 200 yuan. But instead of giving up or splurging on comfort, Liu used 180 yuan of that to buy his very first guitar. He couldn’t afford a cab home, so he walked through the cold carrying the guitar in hand.
That tiny decision sparked the beginning of his musical journey.
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But things weren’t rosy from the get-go. Living in a cramped 13-square-metre flat with 13 other people, struggling through long shifts, and then getting hit with a case of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) while still interning... it was survival, not a fairytale.
He didn’t even have the 800 yuan needed for hospital fees and had to return home to recover, feeling like he’d hit rock bottom.
But look at him now – selling out concerts, topping charts, and becoming one of the most recognised faces in Chinese entertainment.
His story’s not just about success; it’s about grit. And fans are absolutely moved by the contrast between where he started and where he’s standing now – quite literally on stage, in the same city that once tested his limits.
#LiuYuning: thank you everyone, I hope you all have a joyful evening. my first concert stop is at Shenzhen. This city is full of memories for me. Because over a decade ago when I first went out looking for a job, I came here to Shenzhen.#LiuYuning2025Concert#刘宇宁的2025巡演 pic.twitter.com/BNMjvotuGy
— fan 帆！ (@fandoestrans) July 19, 2025
💬 Netizen Reactions:
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“He really came from nothing… and now he’s everything 🥹.”
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“That guitar he bought with 180 yuan was truly his turning point.”
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“13 people in one room?! No wonder he fights so hard now.”
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“Shenzhen wasn’t just his first stop – it was his first real challenge.”
TL;DR:
Liu Yuning opened up at his Shenzhen concert about his early struggles, from earning just 800 yuan and living with 13 others in a tiny room, to chasing his dream with a guitar he bought on his first paycheck. His perseverance through illness, poverty, and rejection has made his current stardom all the more inspiring.