Among the generation of top-tier actresses born after 1985, names like Zhao Liying, Yang Mi, Tang Yan, Liu Yifei, and Liu Shishi herself, the 38-year-old has suffered the most visible decline this year. While her peers are evolving their careers with critically acclaimed or award-aimed performances, Liu’s latest projects have been commercial and critical disappointments.
In 2025, Liu starred in two costume dramas: “Kill My Sins” and “Love in Pavilion.” According to tracking data from Vlinkage, Kill My Sins averaged only 12.21 million views per episode, placing it 21st among dramas aired this year. Love in Pavilion fared even worse, coming in 23rd with 17.33 million views per episode.
Despite the martial arts and period drama genres once being her strong suit—thanks to her background in dance and famously elegant screen presence—audiences have noted a sharp drop in her performance quality. Netizens on Douban have given scathing 1-star reviews, citing her emotionless eyes, wooden delivery, and perpetual expressionlessness. Many described her acting as lifeless, likening her to a “corpse” or “wooden plank,” with one critic noting, “It looks like she’s sleepwalking through her scenes.”
Criticism hasn’t stopped at her performance. Viewers also pointed out her tired appearance, visible signs of aging, and lack of romantic chemistry with younger male co-stars like Dou Xiao and Zhang Yunlong. For many, Liu no longer fits the idealized image required for youthful fantasy romances.
While other contemporaries have branched out into more serious genres, Liu remains rooted in traditional period dramas, a once-safe territory where she’s now faltering. The combination of stagnating career choices and subpar delivery has earned her the unfortunate label of the most regressive “post-85” actress, with more failed projects than any of her peers so far this year.
As 2025 progresses, Liu Shishi’s dramatic downturn highlights the increasing pressure on aging actresses in China’s competitive entertainment landscape—and raises questions about how stars can evolve gracefully in a rapidly changing industry.
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