Star's trajectory on the rise

Popular celebrity reflects on tough times to maintain his humility and gratitude as he thinks about what's next, Xu Fan reports.

Before I walked into the dance studio for a scheduled interview with singer-actor Liu Yuning, who was rehearsing for his upcoming concert, I hit an unexpected snag. Outside the door, a group of dancers dressed in black was clustered together, forming a tight circle. At the center lay Daimi, a schnauzer whose name means "fool rice", luxuriating in their attention.

They say pets sometimes mirror their owners — in this case, it might just be true. Daimi's owner, Liu, one of the most sought-after actors for costume dramas, operates similarly.

Described by fans as a lucky man whose life reads like an underdog's rise to fame, Liu chats freely on almost any topic, from his early jobs as a chef to forming a band and eventually, emerging as a pop idol.