It's well known that the entertainment industry constantly welcomes fresh faces, all in the hope of discovering new talent and strong performers. However, some actors, despite widespread criticism about their looks and acting skills, continue to dominate prime roles due to their powerful connections.
Many netizens openly criticize them, saying things like, “Ugly appearance, poor acting, yet they keep landing roles just because of their background.” This unfortunate reality means countless talented actors struggle to get noticed, while less skilled ones forcibly take center stage.
Interestingly, the audience understands the situation quite well. Just because the financiers lack an eye for talent doesn't mean the public does. Take these four resource-heavy actors, for example—no matter how much backing they get, they fail to truly win over the audience.
Liu Yuning is a familiar name to many. He first gained attention during the early days of China’s short video boom. Back then, his street livestreams with the Modern Brothers group were popular across all age groups—from kids as young as 10 to elderly grandmothers. Many had seen his live performances or heard his songs. At that time, he was just a small internet celebrity having fun online, but few early internet stars remain active today—many have either switched careers or quit altogether.
Liu Yuning, however, is still remembered, largely because he transitioned into acting. This move can be seen as a successful reinvention. Yet, he has also faced harsh criticism, notably being labeled the “ugly costume drama male lead.” His looks—long narrow face, small eyes, and puffy eyelids—don’t match the traditional image of handsome historical drama protagonists. His characters often wear nearly identical makeup styles, which neither the production teams nor the filming techniques have improved. Close-up shots tend to highlight his less flattering features, making him appear even less appealing on screen.
Early in his career, Liu Yuning’s presence was lukewarm at best. Yet nowadays, he appears frequently in popular dramas, prompting speculation about his backstage connections. As an internet-born celebrity with an average appearance and modest acting skills, the fact that he secures many leading roles—even alongside top rising actresses—raises eyebrows.
Take the currently trending drama Shu Juan Yi Meng as an example: it boasts a strong cast and high production value, but many viewers openly complain about Liu Yuning’s casting. Fans say they enjoy the show overall but find his performance difficult to accept. The consensus is clear—his abundant resources secure his roles, often at the expense of more classically trained, better-looking actors.
On the other hand, some argue that Liu’s past internet fame brought him a solid fanbase, and his reasonable salary demands make him attractive to producers. Plus, he has been working hard to improve his acting, which partially justifies his continued presence.
In contrast, Li Haofi is relatively unknown in China’s entertainment circle. Her sudden appearance on Happy Camp as a rookie host stirred controversy. She was an obscure figure, considered barely tenth-tier, yet she replaced a well-known host, Xie Na, on one of the country’s top variety shows. This bold move sparked backlash, with many accusing her of damaging the show’s reputation. Her hosting skills were unremarkable at best.
Li Haofi later acted in several dramas, including popular series like Ode to Joy and Forty-Nine Days. Many remarked on her enviable access to prime roles, with rumors suggesting her father invested 5 million yuan in Mango TV to pave her way. Despite these resources, Li Haofi struggles with low recognition, awkward acting, and a lack of solid training, which ultimately hinders her success.
Then there’s Yao Anna, famously known as the “second daughter of Huawei.” Growing up in an exceptionally privileged family, she received top-tier education from an early age—piano, calligraphy, music, and traditional painting by five; ballet training by nine; professional stage performances as a teenager; and acceptance to Harvard at seventeen. Her achievements impress many, leading to the question: why enter the entertainment world at all?
She was groomed to thrive in her family’s corporate sphere, yet she chose the music industry, debuting like many idols by signing with a top agency and securing excellent resources. However, breaking through as a singer proved tough. Fans tend to stick with their favorite idols, making it difficult for a relatively unknown singer like her to stand out.
Later, Yao Anna switched to acting. Despite her hard work, she faces the brutal reality that success in entertainment depends heavily on looks and talent—two areas where she struggles. Many viewers believe she entered the industry simply to challenge herself outside her comfort zone. Still, no matter how much her company pushes her, the crowded entertainment scene offers countless similar stories, and she has yet to make a real mark.
Xiang Hanzhi debuted with a “rich girl” image but gained notoriety mainly through scandalous gossip with male celebrities. She earned the nickname “CP assassin” for repeatedly being linked to stars like Wu Lei, Zhou Yiran, and Wang Xingyue during their career peaks—rumors that damaged her public image. Without any notable works, she has relied on these controversies to remain in the spotlight.
Despite a strong flow of projects and pairing with popular stars, her performances have been widely criticized. In major productions like Xian Tai You Shu, her acting was seen as stiff, often breaking viewers’ immersion. After the series aired, harsh comments flooded in, labeling her “poor in acting,” “dropping in attractiveness,” “questionable professionalism,” and simply “a resource kid.” To this day, she hasn’t delivered a breakthrough performance—only notoriety. As netizens bluntly say, if her acting weren’t so bad, she might not even get noticed.
Ultimately, the entertainment world is not easy to crack. No matter how much money or resources one has, without genuine talent and skill, fame is elusive. At the end of the day, success in this industry comes down to true ability, not just background or connections.
