Liu Qing (刘擎)

Liu Qing is one of the most distinctive rising stars in China's booming micro-drama industry — a former wedding model who spent a decade playing the "groom" before transforming himself into a short-drama sensation. With his striking 180 cm physique, ruggedly mature looks, and an effortlessly relaxed charisma that fans have dubbed the "chill CEO" vibe, Liu has become a go-to leading man for the industry's biggest hits. His breakout came through a string of viral micro-dramas — The Deer's Cry (Ye Gou Yue Liang), The Eldest Brother's Sister-in-Law Goes Crazy After His Death, and The Demonic Consort is Above — which collectively amassed billions of views and turned him into a household name among short-drama audiences.

Breakthrough Role Liu's breakthrough came in two defining moments. His acting debut arrived in 2019 with the short drama My Cat Girl Girlfriend — a role that came just as he was about to give up on acting entirely after months of failed auditions. The project gave him his first taste of recognition and opened the door to the micro-drama world. But it was the 2024 hit The Deer's Cry (You You Lu Ming) that truly put him on the map, earning him widespread attention and establishing him as a leading man in the genre. He followed this with a remarkable run of high-profile projects, including Yu Zheng's first micro-drama Ji Tian Zhao, Tencent's male-targeted vertical drama Qian Ju Shen Suan, and the costume drama Yu Ming Cha Gu. In October 2025, Liu received the Outstanding Short Drama Actor award at the 8th Chu Xin Bang (Beginner's Mind Awards) for his performances in Ji Tian Zhao, Bei Ci, and Qian Ju Shen Suan — a milestone that officially crowned his transition from struggling newcomer to award-winning actor.

Public Perception Liu Qing occupies a unique and respected space in China's micro-drama ecosystem. He is widely admired as a "workhorse" actor who brings genuine craft to a genre often dismissed as lowbrow — a former model who takes his acting seriously enough to have wept on set when he felt his performance was dragging down the production. Off-screen, he is known for his trademark "relaxed" persona: a straightforward, down-to-earth Northeasterner with a self-deprecating humor that audiences find refreshingly authentic. He has successfully bridged the gap between the female-oriented romance dramas that first made him famous and the male-targeted action series that showcase his range. While his fame remains largely confined to the rapidly growing short-drama world — with mainstream audiences still discovering him — Liu has earned something rarer than overnight stardom: a reputation as a reliable, hardworking actor who treats every role with respect.