Since finishing filming The Story of Rose at the end of 2023, “Fairy Sister” Liu Yifei has not joined any new productions for over two years. Recently, rumors have spread not only about a second season of her hit drama Meet Yourself with Li Xian, but also that crews hope to pair her with Chen Xiao again for a follow-up to A Dream of Splendor, either in Salt Snow or Banquet at Sanyahe. She has received numerous offers, but none have been finalized. Media reports indicate the main reason is that Liu Yifei is very selective, choosing quality over quantity, and asks for 50 million yuan (about 28.44 million ringgit) as a set fee for a TV drama, sticking firmly to her price. As a result, many projects have reached an impasse.
With China’s film and TV industry facing a downturn, it is increasingly difficult to secure funding for productions, reducing acting opportunities for everyone. A ranking of “actors’ days not spent filming” circulating on Weibo shows that besides the blacklisted Angelababy (Yang Ying), Liu Yifei ranks second, now surpassing two years without any shooting days. This has made many fans anxious, but Liu Yifei herself remains calm and content, living a comfortable and leisurely life as she patiently awaits a script she truly loves.
In the past, Liu Yifei has said, “I want my works to be the kind that I ‘have to do’—ones I feel an irresistible urge to take on. In my current state, I’m even more inclined to wait for the next truly exciting opportunity.” She made it clear she will not sacrifice artistic integrity or take roles simply to maintain a certain output. Reportedly, the second season of Meet Yourself, the historical businesswoman drama Salt Snow, and the fantasy mystery-romance drama Banquet at Sanyahe are all in talks with Liu Yifei, but negotiations remain at a preliminary stage—everyone hopes to land Liu Yifei, but no one is confident they will succeed.
Industry analysts say that as long as the original cast returns, the second season of Meet Yourself is bound to be a hit. Salt Snow is expected to be helmed by Li Lu, acclaimed for A Lifelong Journey, ensuring high-quality production. Banquet at Sanyahe, adapted from The Doomed Members of the Xie Family Are Now Living Long, features suspense, mystery, and a dual-journey romance, and is rumored to be directed by Sun Hao of Joy of Life. All three projects are highly promising, and it remains to be seen which one Liu Yifei will ultimately choose.