Liu Yifei, who finished filming “The Rose’s Story” in November 2023, has not been on set for over 900 days. This phenomenon has sparked discussion due to recent revelations by top Chinese talent agent Yang Tianzhen on a program. She disclosed that only 30% of film and television productions have started this year compared to the same period last year, indicating a significant decline in industry activity.
Yang Tianzhen, the founder of One Heart Entertainment and a top talent agent representing Taiwanese artists like Wu Kangren, Mark Chao, and Chen Haosen, recently described the dire situation in the Chinese film and television industry. She revealed that the number of productions starting this year has plummeted drastically to about 30% of the same period last year, leading many projects in the pipeline to be put on hold or canceled.
Yang Tianzhen also unveiled even harsher realities: even after the production team has signed contracts with actors, investors or platforms may withdraw funding due to financial issues, leading projects to a standstill and unable to proceed.
Actors like Song Jia, who has won multiple acting awards, shared that she has not been on set for a staggering 8 months. Similarly, actors under Yang Tianzhen’s management like Mark Chao, Wu Kangren, and Chen Haosen are facing a common dilemma of having no projects to work on.
Yang Tianzhen pointed out that current film and television projects are fragile, with uncertainties looming over whether actors can begin shooting smoothly and if projects can be completed and broadcasted successfully due to script difficulties and constant financial reassessments.
38-year-old Liu Yifei gained popularity from the successful airing of “The Rose’s Story” in November 2023, where she played the character Huang Yimei, sparking a trend known as the “Huang Rose.” Despite the success of the series, she has not returned to the set or participated in any public events since then. Netizens have humorously dubbed her as the “first person against ‘996’ in the entertainment industry” for not working in both peak and off-peak seasons.
Long hiatus periods like those of Liu Yifei and other actors are believed to be primarily influenced by three major market environments:
Firstly, there’s a significant retreat of capital investment in the film and television industry. Analysts suggest that the financing model that previously thrived on “big IP + popular stars” for easy funding has failed. Major film industry players like Huayi Brothers and Bona Film Group have faced massive losses, making investors more cautious, and the once bustling Hengdian World Studios, known as the “Oriental Hollywood,” now appears deserted.
Statistics show that in mid-August, only 16 series were in production locally, with a significant 24.84% drop in the average number of weekly productions in the first half of this year compared to the past. Studio vacancy rates have surged to 78%, and the lively scenes of crews, actors, and staff congregating on sets are no longer as prevalent.
Secondly, the rapid rise of AI technology has disrupted traditional content production. Over 95% of the micro-dramas launched in the first quarter of 2026 in mainland China involved AI in the production process, with costs only a fraction of traditional live-action filming. This not only squeezes the market for traditional series but also poses a considerable challenge to grassroots industry professionals.
Furthermore, audiences are no longer blindly supporting projects solely based on “star power,” as stars alone cannot guarantee box office success or viewer ratings. Looking at the performance of the mainland Chinese film market in 2025, the top ten films accounted for over 65% of the annual box office, indicating a trend where the strongest contenders dominate the market. This implies that without a strong script and production quality, even high-profile stars may struggle to drive box office success, and renowned actors are at risk of being sidelined if the project lacks substance.
According to reports, Liu Yifei commands a top fee of 50 million RMB for television series and does not negotiate on this amount. Therefore, only projects with substantial budgets have the chance to collaborate with her, leading to many potential projects being canceled due to budget constraints.
Liu Yifei values quality over quantity in scripts and strives to avoid being associated with subpar productions. In a previous interview, she expressed her desire for her work to be something she is truly passionate about rather than just work for the sake of maintaining a certain quantity of projects. She is waiting for the right script and role that would compel her to return to the set.
Despite fans being anxious about Liu Yifei’s prolonged absence from filming, she remains composed. While other actors scramble for roles and appearances to maintain their exposure during this cold period in the entertainment industry, Liu Yifei is often captured traveling abroad, walking her dog, or feeding an owl, appearing to lead a leisurely life.