Chinese actor Liu Xueyi is weathering criticism after being dubbed the "biggest flop of 2025" on the Star New Year list by internet users and industry critics, following a year of disappointing his fans as he appeared in a number of major television dramas.
The 34-year-old actor appeared in four high-investment series this year that did not perform well at the box office or with audiences, despite being headlined by top-tier production and high-profile cast members, according to Chinese news site QQ.
The report attributed the cancellation to dismal ratings and negative reviews.
"Regardless of whether Liu Xueyi acted alongside rising idols or established veterans, the outcome remained the same — flop after flop," one QQ reviewer stated.
Liu's modern drama, What If, co-starring Zhong Chuxi, averaged just 5.5 million views per episode.
His historical fantasy series Kill Me, Love Me, which featured popular actress Wu Jinyan, saw only modest interest, peaking at 15 million views per episode.
Despite Wu's strong showing in The Double earlier this year, the pairing failed to attract a wider audience.
In March, the drama A Moment but Forever, starring Liu and Tiffany Tang, was mocked on social media as a "dull middle-aged romance," managing just 14 million views per episode.
Critics described the storyline as "emotionally flat" and noted a lack of chemistry between the leads.
The long-delayed Love Never Fails, which aired in April after being shelved since 2021, also failed to make an impact.
Originally slated to star Yuan Bingyan — later replaced due to a tax evasion scandal — the drama drew just 2 million views per episode after Hu Yihuan took over the female lead role.
Although Liu saw some attention in the 2024 drama In Blossom alongside Ju Jingyi, viewers largely focused on the female leads. "He was completely overshadowed," one fan commented.
Liu, once celebrated for his roles in Love and Redemption, The Blood of Youth, and Love at Night, now finds himself at a crossroads.
Critics suggest that without a breakout hit soon, the actor may remain permanently stuck in secondary roles.
Making matters worse, Liu was recently embroiled in a dating controversy involving actresses Yang Zi and Zhang Yuxi.
Photos of Liu and Yang sharing a cake sparked speculation that he was romantically involved with both women. "He lacked the courage to clarify anything," one commenter noted, adding that Yang Zi faced most of the backlash while Liu remained silent.
Born in 1990, Liu is now facing increased pressure to redefine his career. As QQ notes, "His window to ascend into top-tier stardom may be closing."
Despite the criticism, Liu has not issued a public statement regarding the string of failed dramas or the ongoing dating rumors.
In the fiercely competitive Chinese entertainment industry, where one breakout role can make or break a career, Liu Xueyi's 2025 has become a cautionary tale about momentum, missteps, and the power of media silence.
