LayarHijau – Chinese singer and actor Liu Yuning has sparked heated discussion on Weibo, Wednesday, October 8, after explaining why he no longer takes part in magazine photoshoots. Speaking during a livestream, Liu clarified that his decision is not about personal preference or image control, but a conscious stand against what he calls the “fan economy exploitation” that has become common in China’s entertainment industry.
Liu pointed out that many celebrities and media companies rely on limited-edition magazines, random collectible cards, and bonus photo sets to drive massive fan purchases. He said he has witnessed fans of other artists eventually selling piles of magazines—sometimes twenty or thirty copies at a time—for cheap after losing interest. To him, that kind of consumption is wasteful and painful to watch.
“I’ve seen fans sell boxes of magazines just to clear their homes. They once bought them passionately, but ended up regretting it. I don’t want my fans to go through that,” Liu said during his stream. “I don’t want anyone to buy something just because my face is on the cover.”
His decision aligns with what he calls his “Three No Principles” — no livestream selling, no excessive commercial shows, and free music releases.
Liu later clarified that “free music” doesn’t mean he has stopped producing songs. He continues to release soundtracks and singles, but refuses to commercialize his music through overpriced physical albums, limited fan boxes, or exclusive merchandise. His songs are made available on major streaming platforms at no cost.
“I want people to listen because they like the music, not because they feel pressured to spend money to show support,” he said.
Liu’s statement has drawn mixed reactions online. Many netizens praised him for standing up against toxic fan marketing and for showing genuine care toward his supporters. “He truly respects his fans. Not many artists in this industry would dare to go against the system,” wrote one popular comment.
Others, however, argued that his words indirectly mocked fellow celebrities who still do magazine shoots. “Why does it sound like he’s looking down on everyone who still shoots for magazines?” one user commented.
Fans were quick to defend him. “If other artists want to shoot, that’s their choice. But Liu Yuning doesn’t want his fans to waste money — that’s between him and his fans,” another viral comment read.
To many observers, Liu Yuning’s stance reinforces his image as a “rebel with a conscience” — a term borrowed from the Chinese phrase 反骨仔, referring to someone brave enough to resist industry norms. By rejecting the consumerist trends of celebrity culture, he’s redefining what it means to care for fans in a market built on endless spending.
