Once a top-tier celebrity, Li Yifeng was permanently blacklisted in China after being arrested for repeatedly soliciting prostitution, a serious violation of the law, in 2022. However, in early 2025, Li Yifeng announced a world tour titled “The Covenant Of The Green Sea” as part of his comeback. The first stop is set to take place in Thailand on April 12. What many initially thought was a publicity stunt now appears to be a genuine attempt at returning to the entertainment industry.
According to the media outlet “163”, on April 9, Li Yifeng flew from Beijing to Bangkok. When questioned at the airport about the purpose of his trip, the actor remained silent. However, sources report that Li Yifeng is in Thailand to prepare for his first large-scale fan meeting since being banned three years ago. He appeared at the airport like a top-tier star, confidently interacting with fans, accepting gifts and letters, and holding his head high. News of Li Yifeng’s return caused a major stir in Chinese entertainment circles, quickly climbing the trending searches on Weibo and sparking intense controversy. A flood of angry comments from netizens soon followed.
Chinese netizens are accusing Li Yifeng of shamelessly skirting regulations by holding overseas events to avoid the ban imposed by Chinese authorities. His actions are widely viewed as brazen and unacceptable, with critics arguing that someone who broke the law and tarnished the image of public figures should not be allowed to continue profiting from fans under the guise of being a celebrity. Many are calling on cultural regulators to tighten restrictions to prevent disgraced artists like Li Yifeng from monetizing their fame after being removed from the industry.
Back in September 2022, Li Yifeng’s career came crashing down at the age of 35 after he was arrested for illegally soliciting prostitutes on multiple occasions. He was detained for 15 days. During this period, a 7-second “hot clip” allegedly involving the actor also went viral on social media. Following the scandal, Li was completely blacklisted from the entertainment industry and forced to compensate his commercial partners with up to $20 million USD in damages.
Since leaving the spotlight, Li Yifeng has been living a low-profile life in his hometown of Chengdu, China. He has occasionally been spotted out in public—dining, shopping, or playing sports with friends. When approached by fans, he has been seen smiling and willingly posing for photos, showing no signs of hiding. According to Chinese media, thanks to the wealth he accumulated during his entertainment career, Li Yifeng continues to live a comfortable lifestyle and is now investing in business ventures for income.
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