Liu Xuancheng – “Youthful College Guy” in the Making
The moment you see Liu Xuancheng, you understand what it means for the word “youth” to take on a tangible form. Even though he’s simply sitting quietly in the dressing room, there’s always a sense that he is in motion. This “movement” isn’t about body language, but rather a presence, a youthful aura and vitality that radiate naturally from within.
Liu Xuancheng loves to laugh. When talking about something funny, his eyes curve into crescents, and his smile is incredibly contagious. He’s also a good listener, when chatting, he looks at the other person attentively, his eyes bright and sparkling, as if silently telling you, “I’m listening.” Sometimes he’ll playfully joke around, but the moment he hears that there’s an early shoot the next morning, he immediately “breaks down,” looking adorably pitiful.
This summer, the name “young actor Liu Xuancheng” has become known to many. With rising attention, more opportunities have come his way. Facing flowers and opportunities alike, Liu Xuancheng admits that he is accelerating his pace, while also learning to focus more on appreciating the scenery along the journey.
“I really like running. When you sweat and finally push yourself to the limit to achieve a good result, you feel very happy. But the scenery you see along the way is something even more precious.”
PART 01: This Is Just the Beginning
Every actor has a starting point where they become known to the public, and Liu Xuancheng is no exception.
This summer has indeed held extraordinary significance for him, but it wasn’t that “starting point.” “If I had to say when I first truly felt that people were supporting me, it would probably be when I went to Hengdian last year.” In October 2024, Liu Xuancheng was selected for the 2024 Hengdian Film & TV Festival and the 10th Wenrong Awards Young Actor Support Program. Organized by the Hengdian Film & TV Festival committee, this program aims to discover and nurture outstanding young actors in the industry. Being selected for the list, to some extent, represents recognition from the industry.
But when Liu Xuancheng arrived in Hengdian, he received another unexpected surprise. “When I got off the plane, I heard someone calling my name. When I turned around, I realized it was fans who support me. In that moment, I felt especially moved.”
Liu Xuancheng admits that since he is still relatively new and currently in a phase of building momentum and refining himself, he hasn’t had many public appearances or much exposure yet. The appearance of fans made him feel both surprised and delighted.
“There are people willing to travel to another city just for you, wait for a long time just to see you once, say a few words, or simply call out your name, that feeling moved me deeply.”
Because the schedule during that trip was limited, Liu Xuancheng didn’t have the chance to listen to what each fan wanted to say. Still, he tried his best to remember that moment, the scene and the people who were there. For him, it has become an eternal treasure of memories and a source of strength.
“Beyond being moved, what I felt even more was responsibility.”
Liu Xuancheng admits that when he saw his fans, his first reaction was happiness, but it was quickly replaced by a strong sense of responsibility. He put it very frankly, “People traveled so far to see me. Whether it’s my future works or the roles I take on, I have to live up to their expectations and trust. So at that moment, I decided to work even harder, to let my works and roles speak for themselves, and to make sure that every time we meet, everyone sees a Liu Xuancheng who is a little different and has made new breakthroughs.”
“Of course, every time I meet everyone, it’s a treasure to me.” Liu Xuancheng added playfully, bringing the conversation back to a light and relaxed mood.
PART 02: The Power of Original Aspiration
Like many actors, Liu Xuancheng’s desire to enter the industry began early in life. The idea of “wanting to become an actor” had already started to take root when he was a child.
“I think everyone has had this experience, when watching a drama, you imagine what it would be like if you were the character.”
But for most people, that kind of imagination remains just a passing thought. Liu Xuancheng says he himself finds it a little strange, “Since I was young, I was certain that I could become an actor, that I could perform. I never felt it was just a fantasy. I simply believed that one day it would definitely come true.”
As he grew up, Liu Xuancheng says with a smile that he also went through a shift in mindset, from something “imagined” to something more grounded in reality.
At first, his certainty came more from youthful innocence and boldness. But as he gained a deeper understanding of the profession of being an actor, he realized that passion and hard work are equally important.
“Passion definitely comes first. If you don’t truly love acting, how can you have the enthusiasm and curiosity to try different roles? In many cases, being an actor means being chosen. If you don’t have passion to support you, being rejected a few times can feel especially discouraging.”
“It’s not just about being an actor, I think for anything, passion alone isn’t enough. Passion might give you motivation, or ignite something within you mentally. But effort is the method that helps you achieve it. If I want to become an actor, I first need to learn what acting really is, what the fundamentals are, all of that has to be achieved through hard work,” Liu Xuancheng added.
With his passion and determination, Liu Xuancheng was admitted to the Acting Department of Tianjin Conservatory of Music. In his words, “It’s like getting a foot in the door. But how you move forward and how far you can go still depends on your own effort.”
PART 03: Always Preparing for the Future
“You always feel that knowledge on paper is shallow; to truly understand something, you must practice it yourself.” This became even more evident to Liu Xuancheng after he stepped onto a real set.
“The knowledge learned in school is, of course, very useful, like diction and physical fundamentals. It helps you understand what acting is. But once you’re on set, it becomes a process of applying that theoretical knowledge to your own performance.”
Liu Xuancheng never fights an unprepared battle. “Once I get a script, I definitely read through my character first, write a character backstory, and think about why he makes certain choices. That’s the most basic step. Then I’ll do my own research and communicate with the team to see if there are similar types of roles. I’ll watch how others interpret and present them, including how they deliver their lines.”
Liu Xuancheng says that as a young actor, he needs to watch more, listen more, and observe more. What isn’t useful for this project might come in handy in the next.
“During filming, even if I don’t have scenes that day, if time allows, I’ll still stay on set to watch how experienced actors perform, how they position themselves, how scenes are blocked and directed, and so on.” Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared. This mindset of “always preparing for the future” is also reflected in his hobbies outside of work.
Even in a brief and limited conversation, you can clearly feel that Liu Xuancheng is a typical high-energy person, often described as a “happy little puppy.” He jokingly admits that he simply has too much energy, so he needs to go running or work out to burn some of it off. “Otherwise, I really won’t be able to sleep at night.”
Recently, Liu Xuancheng has also developed a new interest in singing and dancing. This new hobby is connected both to his fans and to his work.
“When I was preparing for my art exams, I learned a bit of contemporary dance, the softer, more fluid kind. As for rhythmic and groove-based styles, I’ve only just started exploring them recently.” He gestures with his hands and jokes that he’s still in the stage of “taming his limbs as a human.”
“I’m an actor, so singing and dancing are somewhat outside my main field. There’s definitely a process of adapting and learning. But I think, on one hand, having more skills never hurts, it’s always a good thing to learn more. On the other hand, singing can improve lung capacity, which helps with delivering lines. Dancing helps me become more familiar with my body, where my core strength is, how to exert force, and so on, so I look more upright and composed when acting. And if I’m playing a costume-drama role, certain movements will look even better.”
PART 04: Friends We Can’t Always Meet
Liu Xuancheng is an actor who deeply values his fans. He has always been aware of their support and dedication. He even joked, “If fans are surfing the internet at 8G speed, I’m at least 6G. I know a lot of what’s going on, we’re basically on the same frequency.”
The support he receives from fans is sincere and weighty, and because of that, Liu Xuancheng wants to do even more, to let fans see a “more three-dimensional, more multifaceted Liu Xuancheng.”
If actor Liu Xuancheng builds a dialogue with fans through different roles and works, then singing and dancing are the ways of “college-boy Liu Xuancheng.” Besides his daily work and studies, he has also been quietly pushing forward the progress of a new album.
“I want to give everyone a surprise, so I can’t reveal too many details,” he said. Liu Xuancheng sees this album as a special gift, hoping it can serve as a medium to express his gratitude to fans in another way.
“The songs have already been selected. As for the specific tracks and style, I can only say that compared to the current youthful, college-boy Liu Xuancheng, there’s a bit of contrast.”
When talking about his relationship with fans, Liu Xuancheng prefers to call them “friends we can’t meet anytime.”
“After I finish a drama, they write long posts about my character to share their feelings. Some friends are also very direct and tell me where they think I could improve. To me, all those feelings and suggestions are treasures. They’re a very quick way for me to sense whether I’ve portrayed the character well, and whether the emotions I wanted to convey were truly received.”
This summer, more people have come to know Liu Xuancheng, and more opportunities have followed. He is indeed busier now. “I was just joking with my manager, saying, ‘Sis, should we just run away? I’ve got work early tomorrow morning.’”
Jokes aside, he genuinely enjoys being busy. “For me right now, the most important thing is to stay steady. Having more opportunities and more work is a good thing. But are those opportunities temporary, or long-term? That still depends on my core abilities.”
Many of these jobs are first-time experiences for Liu Xuancheng. Whether it’s something completely new or something he’s already familiar with, he insists on taking everything seriously. “This isn’t just something nice to say, it’s the most basic professional attitude.”
Every step needs to be meaningful and effective. When asked about choosing projects and role preferences, Liu Xuancheng said he still sees himself as a newcomer.
“I haven’t played that many roles yet, so right now I’m willing to try anything. I wouldn’t give up a role just because it comes with a certain label. For example, if everyone says I’m the ‘youthful college-boy type,’ should I deliberately avoid those kinds of roles?
I don’t think it’s necessary to avoid that. What I care more about is the complexity of a character, how emotionally impactful they are, and whether they truly attract me, whether they make me really want to play them. Right now, I’m in a phase of telling everyone who I am, exploring my limits and possibilities.”
As for the title “youthful college boy” that people have given him, Liu Xuancheng said with a smile that he actually agrees with it. “I mean, I am a college guy. And it’s also one of my strengths, or a memorable trait. Some youthful roles really do need that kind of college-boy vibe.”
“But if possible,” Liu Xuancheng added half-jokingly, “I’d really like to play a powerful character in a xianxia (fantasy martial arts) drama, the kind that’s basically at the top of the power scale. Recently, I’ve also wanted to try playing a villain.”
Q&A
OK!: Have you been trying anything new lately?
Liu Xuancheng: I’ve been practicing singing and dancing. I can’t reveal too many details yet, I’m preparing a surprise for everyone.
OK!: What does your daily life look like when you don’t have work scheduled?
Liu Xuancheng: If there’s no work, I’ll go sing first, usually for about two hours, then I’ll go dance. At night, I’ll go for a run or work out. I’m a “happy little puppy,” very high-energy, and I often can’t sleep at night. For example, I might log onto Weibo in the middle of the night or stay up late. So I have to burn off more energy during the day to help myself sleep.
OK!: What do you think about fans calling you a “youthful college boy”?
Liu Xuancheng: I think it fits well. I am a college guy, after all. And it probably means I have an advantage when it comes to youthful, boyish roles.
OK!: How do you switch between being a “young actor” and a “youthful college boy”?
Liu Xuancheng: I don’t really make a deliberate distinction. When I’m working, I focus on portraying my character well. If I have time, I’ll observe how other actors perform on set. In my private life, I focus on completing my studies and doing the assignments my teachers give me. Different occasions call for different roles, there’s no need to deliberately separate or switch between them.
OK!: Do you pay attention to fans’ comments? How do you view different opinions?
Liu Xuancheng: Of course I pay attention to everyone’s feedback. I quietly take note of professional suggestions, and sometimes I’ll discuss them with my acting teacher or staff. Of course, I’m also very happy when people compliment me. Since everyone is different, there will naturally be different opinions, that’s something I need to get used to and accept as an actor. I think the most important thing is not to be carried away by praise, and not to be knocked down by criticism. An actor needs to have their own judgment, but also learn to accept different voices. After all, our work is made for the audience.
OK!: With the intense competition and changes in the industry, do you ever feel anxious? Do you have ways to relieve that anxiety?
Liu Xuancheng: I think young people nowadays inevitably feel some level of anxiety, I do too. It’s unavoidable. But I’m probably more of an optimist. When I feel a lot of pressure, working out is really an effective way for me to relieve stress. It helps reduce stress and maintain a good physique at the same time, killing two birds with one stone.
OK!: Are there any roles you really want to play in the future?
Liu Xuancheng: I used to really want to play a “top-tier powerhouse” character, but recently my thoughts have changed a bit. I want to try playing a villain and challenge myself.
OK!: You studied in Tianjin, are there any places you’d recommend visiting?
Liu Xuancheng: I’ve actually gone to watch the uncles diving off Lion Forest Bridge (laughs). It’s very interesting and feels very down-to-earth. Personally, I really like the Five Great Avenues area. It’s not too far from my school, and taking a walk there at night feels completely different. The Five Great Avenues when it’s crowded versus quiet, during the day versus at night, they all feel different. Every time, there’s a new experience.
OK!: Any Tianjin food you’d recommend?
Liu Xuancheng: There are so many. I usually eat around my school area. But food really depends on personal taste, so I think it’s best to come to Tianjin and explore it yourself. Oh, and shaved ice is amazing, you have to try it.
OK!: What surprises have you prepared for the fan meeting?
Liu Xuancheng: There probably won’t be time to sing, but I’ll prepare other surprises. I’ll try my best not to be nervous or make mistakes.
OK!: How’s the new album coming along?
Liu Xuancheng: The song selection is basically done, but I can’t say much more. I want to save the surprise for last. I can only say there’ll be a slight contrast compared to my usual image, so please look forward to it.
OK!: If you had to describe your current stage in three words, what would they be, and why?
Liu Xuancheng: Broaden exposure, try more, and keep pushing forward. Broaden exposure, not just to different roles and genres, but also to different people. Observation of life is a crucial skill for actors.
Try more, that’s easy to understand. I’m still young and not typecast, so I want to explore different roles and experiences, whether it’s singing, dancing, or other new things.
Keep pushing forward, that’s about encouraging myself. Acting is a profession where you’re chosen. Criticism and mistakes are inevitable, and there will definitely be moments of discouragement. I hope I can maintain a mindset of perseverance and continue challenging myself.
For me personally, when it comes to something I truly love, I must keep a sense of freshness and curiosity. I can’t stay wrapped in a comfort zone, I have to step out of it, try more, and never settle. As a newcomer actor, I still have many areas to improve and break through. I need to keep learning and progressing, with the ultimate goal of becoming better in the future.
