Li Keyi (李柯以)

Li Keyi has risen to prominence as the undisputed "Queen of Short Dramas" in China‘s booming micro-drama industry. A 2000-born graduate of Beijing Fashion Institute, she has redefined what it means to be a leading actress in the short-form space through sheer volume and consistent quality. In 2025 alone, she released 29 starring short dramas on the Red Fruit platform, with a single season surpassing 3 billion views — a level rivaling “S+”-tier long-form dramas on major video platforms. She holds the record as Red Fruit‘s first actor to surpass two million followers and one of the most followed micro-drama actresses on Douyin. What sets her apart is her ability to deliver performances that are both commercially dominant and critically acclaimed — a rare combination that has earned her the title of “the most representative figure” of the micro-drama industry.

Breakthrough Role Li Keyi’s breakthrough came with the 2025 hit short drama The 18-Year-Old Great-Grandma Has Arrived to Rebuild the Family Glory (《十八岁太奶奶驾到，重整家族荣耀》), where she played the dual role of a 1950s mathematician who, after dying, wakes up in the body of an 18-year-old high school girl — now a great-grandmother to elderly children and grown great-grandsons. The role demanded an extraordinary “old yet young” performance: she had to embody the wisdom and authority of a elderly matriarch while maintaining the physical appearance of a teenager. To prepare, she wrote a 10,000-word character biography to construct the character‘s inner world. Her portrayal of the character’s wisdom, authority, and emotional depth — particularly in scenes where her elderly son calls her “Mom” — earned widespread acclaim. The series broke platform records, hitting 100 million热度 on its first day, and Li was praised for playing the role with subtlety rather than caricature, using measured speech, steady gaze, and restrained authority to sell the character‘s old soul in a young body. The success of the series launched two sequels in the same year, cementing her status as a leading actress.

Public Perception Li Keyi currently occupies the top tier of China‘s micro-drama industry, widely recognized as both a commercial powerhouse and a dedicated craftsman. She has received multiple major honors: the iQiyi Fluorescent Night “Annual Micro-Drama Shining Actor” award, the Red Fruit Creator Conference “Annual Actor” title, and selection for the 2025 “Starry Sea” Young Actor Program by Movie Channel. Colleagues and critics praise her for avoiding the “short drama trap” of relying on gimmicks, instead bringing a “character-first” approach to every role. Off-screen, she is known for her intense work ethic — working over 10 hours daily with only 20 days of rest over nine months — yet remains grounded, admitting she is “lucky” and stressing that no actor is irreplaceable. Her fans, who call themselves “Xiao OK” (小OK), admire her both for her performances and her down-to-earth personality. Among the general public, she has been described as possessing a unique “sweet and cool” temperament — a girl-next-door face paired with an inner strength that makes her both relatable and aspirational. As she continues to expand her range beyond the “great-grandma” archetype into new genres like the costume drama The Dust of All Living Beings and the fantasy romance This Life with Xiao Yubai, Li Keyi represents a new generation of micro-drama actor who is redefining the boundaries of the format — and proving that short-form content can produce long-lasting stars.