Buzz
1. Two Lives of an Immortal (2017)
Two Lives of an Immortal marks the reunion of the beloved duo, Liu Yifei and Feng Shaofeng, who previously worked together in Red Cliff. In this film, Feng Shaofeng plays the kind-hearted yet unlucky Yuan Shuai. One day, Yuan Shuai becomes the object of affection of a mystical fox spirit named Bai Qian Suo (played by Liu Yifei), who seeks to repay a debt of gratitude. Bai Qian Suo, a rare celestial fox from the North Pole, falls deeply in love with Yuan Shuai, willing to give up everything, even her own safety, for him.
Initially, Yuan Shuai is terrified and rejects Bai Qian Suo, but over time, he finds himself falling for her as well. However, the love between a human and a spirit goes against the rules, and Bai Qian Suo is pursued by the demon authority. To protect his beloved, Yuan Shuai courageously ventures into the world of the supernatural.
DETAILS:
Year of Release: 2017
Director: Xie Yang
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Duration: 110 minutes
Cast: Liu Yifei, Feng Shaofeng, ...
2. The Story of the Noble Family (2003)
The Story of the Noble Family is Liu Yifei's debut film, where she takes on the role of Bai Tu Chou, a childhood friend of the male lead, Kim Yan Tai (played by Chen Kun). In the story, Tu Chou secretly falls in love with Yan Tai and strives to change her aristocratic ways for him. However, Yan Tai is in love with the poor girl, Ling Cheng Shu (played by Dong Jie). Upon discovering this, Tu Chou becomes consumed with jealousy and does everything in her power to tear the couple apart, resulting in a tragic fate for all three.
For a newcomer, Liu Yifei's portrayal of a character with such a complex emotional range was highly praised. With the guidance of the film crew, she succeeded in bringing her character to life, which became a stepping stone for her later roles, including her portrayal of Wang Yuyan and her rise as a top-tier star in China.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2003
Director: Li Davi, Liu Guoquan
Genre: Drama, Romance
Episodes: 40
Cast: Chen Kun, Dong Jie, Liu Yifei, ...
3. The Sorceress (2011)
Liu Yifei takes on the role of the fox spirit Niep Xiao Yan, who falls in love with the exorcist Yan Chi Ha (Louis Koo). However, their love faces a tragic fate, and in order to free her from the heartache, Yan Chi Ha erases Xiao Yan's memories.
After losing her memories, Niep Xiao Yan develops feelings for Ning Tai Shen (Yu Shao Qun), a scholar. During a battle to eliminate evil spirits, Yan Chi Ha steps in to protect her. Eventually, Xiao Yan regains her memories and is faced with a difficult choice: to die with her first love Yan Chi Ha or follow her current love, Ning Tai Shen.
After The Sorceress, Liu Yifei's performance was hailed as a major breakthrough, where she portrayed a character with both a “demonic aura” and a beauty that captivated audiences. She boldly embraced her role, even taking on scenes where she appeared with minimal clothing, not shying away from the challenges of her portrayal.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2011
Director: Yip Wai Tin
Genre: Historical, Fantasy
Duration: 98 minutes
Cast: Louis Koo, Liu Yifei, Yu Shao Qun, Hui Anh Hong, ...
4. Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003)
Being cast in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, a martial arts epic based on the work of Jin Yong, was a pivotal moment that brought Liu Yifei closer to the public eye.
Her nickname “fairy sister” originated from her role in this series. Despite being just 16 years old, Liu Yifei’s youthful and pure portrayal of Wang Yuyan captured the hearts of audiences. Her performance was so remarkable that even the legendary author Jin Yong himself praised it, saying that if anyone else had played Wang Yuyan, viewers would have thought it impossible. After Liu Yifei's portrayal, audiences were convinced that such a beauty could truly exist in real life.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2003
Directors: Vu Man, Cúc Giác Lượng, Chu Hiểu Văn
Genre: Historical, Martial Arts, Romance
Episodes: 40
Cast: Hu Jun, Lin Chi Ling, Liu Yifei, Tưởng Hân, ...
5. Mulan (2020)
Mulan is an American historical drama film, released in 2020, directed by Niki Caro, with a screenplay written by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin.
It is a live-action adaptation of Walt Disney's 1998 animated film, based on the legendary story of the Chinese heroine, Hua Mulan.
Mulan follows a young woman during the Northern Wei dynasty who, driven by patriotism and a love for peace, takes her father's place in the army. The film chronicles her journey of overcoming societal norms and becoming a celebrated hero. Despite some controversy regarding the acting, Liu Yifei's martial arts scenes received widespread acclaim for her dedication, bravery, and intense performances.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2020
Director: Niki Caro
Duration: 115 minutes
Country: USA
Genre: Historical, Martial Arts, Action, Adventure
Cast: Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Gong Li, Jet Li
6. The Third Love (2015)
The Third Love revolves around a heart-wrenching, tragic romance between a brilliant and beautiful lawyer, Zhaou Wu (played by Liu Yifei), and Lin Kai Zhen (Song Seung Hun). Before meeting and falling in love with Zhaou Wu, Lin Kai Zhen was engaged and struggling under immense pressure to fight for power against his half-brothers. After many twists and turns, the romance between Zhaou Wu and Lin Kai Zhen ends in sorrow, regret, and a sense of loss.
Featuring top stars from both South Korea and China, The Third Love quickly captured the audience's attention. Following the conclusion of the film, Liu Yifei and Song Seung Hun publicly acknowledged their relationship, marking the first confirmed romance for the 'fairy sister.' However, due to busy schedules, the couple eventually parted ways, leaving fans feeling nostalgic.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2015
Country: China
Genre: Romance, Drama
Director: John H. Lee
Duration: 113 minutes
Cast: Liu Yifei, Song Seung Hun, ...
7. It Turns Out I'm Still Here (2016)
It Turns Out I'm Still Here is a film adapted from the novel by author Tan Di O. The story follows the complex love affair between Su Yun Chen (played by Liu Yifei) and Cheng Zhen (Kris Wu).
Su Yun Chen comes from a humble background but is full of determination. She falls for the charming and wealthy Cheng Zhen, but due to their class differences, she chooses to avoid his advances despite his sincere pursuit.
From their high school years to university and living in different cities, Cheng Zhen never stopped loving Su Yun Chen, never giving up on her. His unwavering affection eventually melts her heart, and she agrees to be with him. However, their happiness is short-lived as financial struggles bring them apart, leading Cheng Zhen to move to the United States. After a long period of silence, Su Yun Chen realizes that her heart belongs solely to Cheng Zhen, prompting her to search for him and rekindle their love.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2016
Genre: Romance
Country:China
Director: Zhou Ta Niu
Cast: Liu Yifei, Li Meng, Li Tan, Kris Wu
8. Dream of Flowers (2022)
Dream of Flowers is a popular historical drama series from China, directed by Yang Yang. The series gained immense popularity with a star-studded cast featuring Liu Yifei, Chen Xiao, Lin Yun, and Liu Yan.
In the story, Liu Yifei portrays Zhao Pan Ni, a beautiful young woman born into a noble family. However, at the age of nine, due to her father's crime, she is demoted and sent to a music troupe in Hangzhou to perform as a dancer. At sixteen, she is fortunate enough to be freed from the troupe and begins a new life as an ordinary citizen, running a small tea shop by the West Lake. There, she meets her fiancé, Ou Yang Xu.
After three years of rigorous studies, Ou Yang Xu passes the imperial exam, believing that happiness is within reach. However, just as they are about to marry, he breaks off the engagement. Determined not to accept her fate, Zhao Pan Ni heads to the capital to demand justice. Once again, she faces rejection, as Ou Yang Xu goes to great lengths to expel her from the capital.
Despite the setbacks, Zhao Pan Ni, along with her friends Song Yan Zhang and Sun San Nuan, manages to open the largest tea house in the capital, taking control of her own life. Along the way, she learns to let go of her bitterness toward Ou Yang Xu and finds a true love who cherishes her. Her story also represents the empowerment of women in a time when their social status was often low.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2022
Director: Yang Yang
Episode Length: 45 minutes/episode
Number of Episodes: 40
Country: China
Genre: Historical Drama
Cast: Liu Yifei, Chen Xiao, Liu Yan, Lin Yun, Xu Haiqiao, Dai Hu
9. The Return of the Condor Heroes (2006)
Arguably, The Return of the Condor Heroes is one of Liu Yifei's most iconic works. Her portrayal of the ethereal and graceful Xiao Long Nu, draped in white, left a lasting impression on viewers. This portrayal, along with the show's massive success, helped Liu Yifei, Hu Ge, and Yang Mi rise to stardom and cement their positions as leading stars in the Chinese entertainment industry.
The story revolves around the passionate yet troubled love between Yang Guo (played by Hu Ge) and Xiao Long Nu (Liu Yifei). Yang Guo, a clever and mischievous young man with a touch of mischief, and Xiao Long Nu, an innocent and pure-hearted woman with a seemingly cold exterior, are both perfectly brought to life by the lead actors. Their love story is filled with challenges, conflicts, and opposition from others, but in the end, they triumph over adversity and find happiness together.
The series first aired in China on March 17, 2006, and quickly gained popularity, broadcasting in several Asian countries, including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2006
Director: Zhang Jizhong
Episode Duration: 45 minutes/episode
Country: China
Cast: Yang Mi, Liu Yifei, Cao Hu, Hu Ge, Wang Laku, Kong Lin, and more...
10. In Harm's Way (2017)
In Harm's Way (also known as Hoa Cỏ Chiến Tranh) is a Chinese war drama released on November 10, 2017, directed by Danish filmmaker Bille August. The movie is set against the backdrop of World War II, following the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack.
The story revolves around a Chinese widow, Anh Zi (played by Liu Yifei), and an American pilot, Jack Turner (Emile Hirsch). After finding a wounded American airman, Anh Zi decides to risk her own safety to help him recover. Despite the language barrier, the two develop a bond through their shared actions and mutual care, leading to a heartbreaking love story.
The film received positive reviews from both audiences and the Chinese Film Bureau upon its release.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2017
Director: Bille August
Genre: War Drama
Producer: Peng Sun
Cast: Liu Yifei, Emile Hirsch, and more...
