Tian Tianyi (田甜一)

Tian Tianyi (born Liu Yifan) is a rising star in China’s micro-drama industry who has carved out her own path from viral short-video creator to acclaimed actress. A graduate of Hebei University of Communication’s broadcasting department, she first gained attention with her university-era short drama series Falling in Love with Shijiazhuang (《爱上石家庄人》), which amassed over 10 million views. What truly sets her apart is her remarkable ability to embody “white‑turned‑black” characters — innocent on the surface yet ruthlessly cunning beneath — a skill that has earned her billions of views and a devoted fanbase of 400,000 followers on Douyin who affectionately call her “Sweet Bean” (甜豆). With her 170 cm stature, Aries energy, and a background in播音 that gives her exceptional vocal control, Tian Tianyi represents a new generation of micro‑drama actors who are redefining the genre with professional training and genuine acting depth. Breakthrough Role Tian Tianyi’s breakthrough came in 2024 with the micro‑drama The Heiress of the Dark Dragon Fortress (《暗龙寨里的千金大小姐》), where she played the female lead Cui Yunshu. The role showcased her signature “white‑turned‑black” performance style — an innocent facade masking a calculating core — and quickly went viral, racking up over 100 million views. She followed this success with the lead role of Xiang Kui in Black Moonlight (《黑色月光》), further cementing her reputation as a versatile actress capable of handling complex, morally ambiguous characters. Later that year, she appeared in Home with Kids: The Great Frontier (《家有儿女之大名边塞》), a production that was shortlisted for the Sino‑American Film Festival, marking her first taste of international recognition. In 2025, she landed a role in the television drama One Step to Fame (《一朝成名》), which aired on December 9, and earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 3rd National Micro‑Drama Awards — a significant milestone that signaled her transition from online sensation to award‑nominated performer. Public Perception In the rapidly evolving Chinese micro‑drama landscape, Tian Tianyi has built a reputation as a dedicated and versatile actress who treats short‑form content with the seriousness of a theatrical production. Her background in broadcasting gives her a natural command of dialogue, a rare asset in an industry where many micro‑drama actors rely on dubbing. Audiences have praised her ability to deliver emotionally layered performances across genres — from the vengeful heiress in The Heiress of the Dark Dragon Fortress to the gangster’s daughter Murong Guoguo in After the Broken Heart (《封心锁爱后开始》), and the lovelorn protagonist in the 2026 romance Late Spring Comes (《迟来春日》). Off‑screen, she has cultivated a warm and approachable persona through her Douyin content, which features fashion challenges, gesture dances, and character‑driven skits that showcase her playful personality. Her fans appreciate her transparency about her journey and her willingness to embrace the “Sweet Bean” nickname with humor and grace. With a growing portfolio of over 100 short‑form works, 2 million likes, and a steady stream of new projects — including My Only Wish (《唯一奢想》), I Have a Male Fox (《我有一只男狐狸》), and Being a Handsome Woman Is My Destiny (《帅气女人最好命》) — Tian Tianyi is widely seen as one of the most promising young actresses in the micro‑drama space, a performer who is not just riding the wave of short‑form content, but helping to shape its future.