Overseasidol.com — The life story of Liu Yuning, one of China’s most beloved singers and actors, touched hearts once again during his Shenzhen concert on July 19, 2025.
On stage, Liu recalled his struggles as a teenager working in Shenzhen, where he survived on a meager monthly salary of just 800 yuan.
Around 2006, at only 16 years old, Liu Yuning left his hometown in Dandong, Liaoning, to make a living in Shenzhen.
He worked multiple jobs as a kitchen apprentice, waiter, and flyer distributor, enduring extremely tough living conditions.
He shared a 13-square-meter dorm with 13 other people, barely scraping by.
In his first month, Liu earned only 200 yuan. He spent 180 yuan to buy his very first guitar, walking home in the cold winter because he could not afford a taxi.
That moment became the spark for his dream of pursuing music.
His hardships continued when he suffered a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) during his apprenticeship.
Unable to pay the 800 yuan hospital fee, he was forced to return home. Liu described this period as the lowest point in his life, a stark contrast to his success on today’s concert stages.
His story serves as a powerful reminder that perseverance and resilience can transform even the harshest struggles into triumphs, inspiring countless fans who look up to his journey.
