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| Liu Yuning Still Livestreams Out of Fear of Being Forgotten – Even With 60M Viewers |
Despite being one of the hottest actors on the Chinese drama scene right now, Liu Yuning has opened up about a surprising source of anxiety – the fear of being forgotten.
In a recent chat with Beijing Youth Daily, the A Journey to Love breakout star confessed, “If I don’t have any work for three days, I’ll start a livestream. I need people to see I’m still here, still doing something.” That offhand remark quickly snowballed into a trending topic, as fans and netizens alike were stunned to learn that someone as successful as Liu still feels the pressure to stay relevant.
Let’s be real – Liu Yuning has had a cracking few years. After winning hearts with his performance alongside Liu Shishi in A Journey to Love (一念关山), he followed it up with strong performances in The Story of Pearl Girl (珠帘玉幕) and The Prisoner of Beauty (美人弓). Reviews were solid, ratings climbed, and his status as a certified male lead was locked in.
And yet, even now, that little voice in his head keeps whispering: “You’re only as good as your last role.”
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Currently, Liu is starring in the buzzed-about fantasy drama A Dream Within a Dream (书梦) opposite Li Yitong. The plot follows struggling actress Song Xiaoyu, who gets mysteriously transported into the tragic world of a script she once performed in – taking on the ill-fated role of Song Yimeng. There, she meets Nan Heng – the cold, scheming prince played by Liu – whose power games slowly give way to something deeper.
But that’s not all. Liu Yuning also plays a second role in the same drama: the enigmatic swordsman Li Shiliu, a protector hidden in the shadows. It’s a dual performance that really puts his acting chops to the test – flipping between manipulative royalty and noble guardian in one project. Not easy.
What makes his recent confession even more striking is Liu’s background. Before any of this fame, he was just a lad working as a chef and waiter, singing on the streets and livestreaming online for survival. His rise was pure grind – from covers in small-town bars to hitting 60 million views on livestream platforms.
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That’s why livestreaming is more than a promotional tool for him – it’s part of his DNA. Even after hitting it big, he’s kept up the habit. His streams often last three to four hours, featuring casual chats, live music, character monologues, and fun fan interactions tied to his latest roles. It’s that same grounded, down-to-earth charm that keeps fans coming back.
“He’s never forgotten where he came from,” one fan commented. “He’s big now, but still treats us like he did when he had nothing.”
But lately? The three-day livestream rule has pretty much gone out the window. Liu has reportedly been working nonstop – with no streams since early July and a schedule that’s seen him filming for over 45 consecutive days.
“He doesn’t even have time to sleep let alone livestream!” one commenter joked. “Give Brother Ning a break!”
While some fans miss the regular streams, many are now rallying behind him to take care of himself and not push too hard.
Still, his honesty about needing to “be seen” to feel secure hits home for a lot of people – celeb or not. It’s a reminder that even when the cameras are rolling and the fans are cheering, everyone’s got their own worries to carry.
And for Liu Yuning, staying present – even if it’s just through a late-night livestream – is his way of saying: “Don’t forget me. I’m still here.”