 |
| Why Liu Yuning Is Taking His Time With New Drama Projects (Photo: Weibo) |
Chinese actor Liu Yuning has never been one to sugar-coat things, and his birthday livestream on 7 January proved it once again. While many actors rush from one set to another, Ning Ge took a calmer, more deliberate stance, openly explaining why fans haven’t seen him jump into a new drama project recently. In short, he’s waiting for the right script, not just any script.
During the livestream, Liu Yuning addressed fan questions about his absence from filming with unusual honesty. He made it clear that work offers are not the problem. The real issue, according to him, is quality.
Accepting a project that doesn’t feel right, he said, is more damaging than beneficial in the long run. For Liu, forcing himself into unsuitable roles is the fastest way to hurt his own career.
He laid out two conditions that he refuses to compromise on: a strong, well-written story and a genuine emotional connection with the character.
 |
Without these, filming becomes draining rather than fulfilling. In his own words, if the story isn’t good and the role doesn’t resonate, the whole process feels unhappy and pointless.
What really set social media buzzing, however, was his blunt comparison with what he sees happening elsewhere in the industry.
Liu Yuning remarked that some actors continue filming drama after drama despite repeated poor results.
That single sentence was enough to ignite speculation online, with netizens guessing who he might have been referring to and debating whether industry backing matters more than script quality.
Fan reactions quickly split into several camps. Many long-time supporters praised Liu Yuning for being principled and self-aware, calling his attitude “rare” and “refreshing” in today’s fast-paced entertainment scene.
Some netizens agreed with his view, saying audiences are tired of poorly written dramas pushed out just to fill schedules.
Others felt his words were a little too direct, arguing that not every actor has the luxury to be selective. Still, even critics admitted that his confidence comes from a track record that speaks for itself.
That confidence isn’t without reason. As a leading figure in historical costume dramas, Liu Yuning has steadily built a solid resume. A Journey to Love became a major turning point in his acting career, followed by The Story of Pearl Girl and The Prisoner of Beauty, both of which achieved strong platform performance milestones.
A Dream Within A Dream went on to set a premiere record and was widely praised for its storytelling and overall production quality.
The livestream also showed Liu Yuning’s lighter side. He talked about recently getting more serious with exercise, stressing that he doesn’t believe in extreme dieting. Eating properly, he said, is key to maintaining energy for intense workouts.
When the topic shifted to abs, he joked that while another actor has a five-pack, his own six-pack is currently in “hidden mode,” ending the moment with playful humour that sent viewers into fits of laughter.
Liu Yuning isn’t afraid to voice his personal standards. Whether people agree with him or not, his words clearly struck a nerve. What do you think about his decision to wait for the right script instead of rushing into new dramas?