LayarHijau.com — After capturing attention in A Journey to Love with Liu Shishi and The Story of Pearl Girl with Zhao Lusi, actor Liu Yuning returns to the screen in his latest drama The Prisoner of Beauty, co-starring Song Zuer.
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The drama is now facing competition from Legend of Zang Hai, starring Xiao Zhan, which just premiered on Sunday, May 18. Although its popularity temporarily dipped due to the release of Legend of Zang Hai, The Prisoner of Beauty successfully surpassed 30,000 in Tencent Video’s popularity index, officially joining the ranks of trending dramas.
In the series, Liu Yuning plays Wei Shao, a military commander living through a time of chaos. The character is known for his cold, dominant demeanor and harbors deep emotional wounds caused by the betrayal of the Qiao family, which led to the death of his father and brother. However, over time, he softens, touched by the kindness and intelligence of Xiao Qiao (played by Song Zuer). Their relationship evolves from a political arrangement into a deeply emotional romance, filled with tension and conflict.
Liu Yuning’s portrayal of Wei Shao has received widespread praise. Standing at 189 cm with a commanding battlefield presence, a scene where he rescues Xiao Qiao while wounded went viral. Their chemistry has been dubbed a “classic historical drama couple,” further highlighted by their 30 cm height difference, which charmed fans. In fact, Wei Shao became the fastest-rising male character on Tencent this year, reaching 400 million in just six days.
Upmedia reported that what’s even more admirable is that Liu Yuning filmed this drama while injured. He had fractured his right leg during an action scene in A Journey to Love, yet still joined the filming of The Prisoner of Beauty in January 2023 without waiting for full recovery.
He completed scenes involving horseback riding, carrying Song Zuer, and fighting, even as his face turned red from enduring the pain. One of the most grueling scenes required him to soak in icy water for three consecutive days, worsening his injury—but he endured it without requesting rest.
Liu Yuning’s dedication also showed behind the scenes. Even when not on camera, he stayed on set to support his co-stars. He Hongshan, who plays Da Qiao, revealed that Liu Yuning stood beside her during emotional scenes to help her get into character.
With its emotional storytelling, strong performances, and compelling mix of romance and political intrigue, The Prisoner of Beauty has built a loyal fanbase—further solidifying Liu Yuning’s status as a top actor in the world of Chinese drama.
