LayarHijau – In a recent interview with Sohu Entertainment, Liu Xueyi opened up about his new drama The Princess’s Gambit (桃花映江山), his on-screen chemistry with co-star Meng Ziyi, and the roles he dreams of playing in the future.
In The Princess’s Gambit, Liu portrays Shen Zaiye, a character he describes as “extraordinarily calm and wise, a man who will do anything to achieve his goals.” He admitted that the character has a ruthless side. “He’s much more cruel than I am. I might be a little soft-hearted,” Liu shared.
The drama offers a thrilling blend of romance and deadly intrigue. “At first, we try to kill each other and are full of suspicion, but later realize that we’re both just trying to survive. Then we fight side by side as comrades, and eventually fall in love,” Liu explained.
Meng Ziyi: A Professional Partner and Hidden Treasure
Liu Xueyi recalled his first impression of Meng Ziyi as “cute and pretty,” but his understanding of her deepened after working together. “I thought she was the type with a bit of brains but not much else, but later I realized her understanding of art is quite professional. She’s actually someone with high emotional intelligence,” he said with a laugh.
He also described her as someone who brings him a lot of emotional value. “Yes, very much! Very much! Very much!” Liu emphasized when asked if she gives him emotional support.
The two often joked around on set, with one memorable moment being when Meng Ziyi taught Liu to sing. “She completely led me astray. I majored in musical theatre, but she dragged me down a dead end. In the future, I should stay away from singing with her,” he joked.
A Memorable Wedding Kiss Scene
One standout scene involved Jiang Taohua secretly kissing Shen Zaiye on their wedding day. Liu said the filming went smoothly without many retakes. “We are all very professional actors, unless one of us couldn’t help ourselves first,” he quipped.
He added that the director skillfully captured the details, such as a close-up of his Adam’s apple, adding depth to the scene that audiences will notice once it airs.
Future Collaborations and Dream Roles
When asked about the possibility of working with Meng Ziyi again, Liu didn’t rule it out. But for him, the story always comes first. “I hope to bring the audience two deeply moving characters and make them feel warm and happy in this hot summer,” he said.
Looking ahead, Liu Xueyi expressed a desire to play more challenging roles. “I want to try playing a soldier, a psychopathic murderer, or a character in the Air Force,” he revealed. He’s particularly drawn to military or uniformed roles.
In addition to The Princess’s Gambit, Liu Xueyi is awaiting the release of other dramas such as Against the Current (兰湘如故), where he plays a charismatic Ming Dynasty general, and Jagged Peaks (踏雪寻踪), a crime drama where he stars as a police captain leading criminal investigations in a snowy region.
A Calm Approach to Fame
Although Liu has become increasingly recognized for his roles involving power struggles and intrigue, he emphasized that fame is not his ultimate goal. “I won’t set ‘becoming famous’ as my goal as an actor,” he stated. Instead, he focuses on doing his job well and enjoying the process. “I really like my current state. I’m not too anxious, and I’m not forcing myself to jump to a higher position. I just do my job well, and I feel very comfortable,” he explained.
