LayarHijau – Chinese actor Liu Yuning has officially confirmed his role in the upcoming crime thriller Tie Zheng (铁证). While he shared the news during his tour finale livestream on April 28, he kept his specific character under wraps, sparking a wave of speculation among fans.
Tie Zheng is a high-profile production serving as the finale of the “Anti-Organized Crime” trilogy, produced under the guidance of China’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission. The series is led by director Wu Bai (Crime Crackdown) and screenwriter Chen Yuxin (The Thunder). The story is based on real-life criminal cases from 2008 to 2018, focusing on the long-term crackdown on organized crime.
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Public speculation is currently split. Many fans are convinced he will play a criminal investigator named Gao Yuan. This theory gained momentum during his April 28 broadcast; when fans mentioned he was trending, he playfully asked if it was a good thing before dropping a short improv line: “Just wait for Officer Gao.” Netizens immediately took this as a hint that he’s playing the lead cop.
However, a report from Beijing Time suggests a different path. Liu Yuning has been linked to the character Han Yongqiang (also known as Hung Shih-kun), a refined entrepreneur who secretly runs a massive provincial money-laundering network. The character is described as a double-faced crime boss who started as a driver before rising through the criminal ranks. Standing at 190cm with a sharp, cold gaze, Liu Yuning is seen as a perfect fit for this complex, high-level antagonist.
The demand for Liu Yuning to play a high-level antagonist is high. According to survey data, 73.8% of respondents believe his physical presence and real-life background make him ideal for a multi-layered character, especially the role of a sophisticated crime lord that fans have been waiting for.
During the livestream, which drew over 61 million viewers, Liu Yuning reacted to a film blogger’s analysis of his acting with his usual wit. “You think you understand? Understand what exactly?” he joked, later adding, “I’ve finally started to get the character,” hinting at his deep preparation for the role.
This project marks a major transition for Liu Yuning, moving away from his “idol drama” roots (following hits like The Prisoner of Beauty and A Journey to Love) into the world of serious dramas (zheng ju). He has reportedly undergone weight loss and martial arts training for the role, while receiving acting tips from veteran co-star Sun Honglei.
Sun Honglei is set to play a major crime boss in the series. The two previously showed great chemistry in the variety show Earth Fresh, and are expected to share over 70 scenes involving intense psychological standoffs and strategic mind games.
Anticipation for Tie Zheng is massive. Related topics on Weibo hit 18.8 billion views in a single day, while reservations on Tencent Video reached 18,000 within 24 hours, peaking at 57,000.
Backed by Zhewen Pictures and New Classics Media, filming began in Yunnan on April 29, 2026. With a 180-day shooting schedule focused on real locations, Tie Zheng is set to premiere on Tencent Video in 2027.
