1. Overview
Liu Duan Duan (刘端端Liú Duān DuānChinese) is a prominent Chinese actor, singer, and music producer. He is a member of the National Theatre Company of China, showcasing his versatility across various artistic fields. Known for his compelling performances in both film and television dramas, as well as his contributions to music as a composer and producer, Liu Duan Duan has established himself as a significant figure in Chinese popular culture. His notable acting roles include Li Chengze in Joy of Life, Song Huai'en in Monarch Industry, and Prince Dongchuan in Luoyang. Beyond acting, he has released several singles and composed music for various film and television soundtracks, further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted artist.
2. Life
Liu Duan Duan's personal background is rooted in an artistic family, which significantly influenced his early development and career path.
2.1. Early Life and Family Background
Liu Duan Duan was born on June 4, 1986, in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. He hails from a distinguished acting family, which fostered an artistic environment during his upbringing. His mother is the acclaimed actor Yan Fanfan, his grandfather is the renowned drama director Yan Zhongying, and his maternal grandmother is the celebrated playwright Bai Fengxi. From a young age, Liu Duan Duan harbored a dream of becoming an actor. In his senior year of high school, demonstrating his dedication, he lost 44 lb (20 kg) within a month to prepare for the entrance examination to the Central Academy of Drama.
2.2. Education
Liu Duan Duan pursued his higher education at the prestigious Central Academy of Drama, a leading institution for performing arts in China. He successfully graduated from the Academy in 2008, completing his formal training in acting and performance.
2.3. Early Career
Following his graduation from the Central Academy of Drama in 2008, Liu Duan Duan joined the esteemed National Theatre Company of China in Beijing. As a member of this national troupe, he began his career by starring in numerous stage plays, honing his acting skills and gaining significant experience in theatrical performance. During this initial period, he also met music producer Tan Xuan, marking the beginning of his foray into music composition for film and television dramas.
3. Major Activities and Achievements
Liu Duan Duan's career encompasses a wide range of activities, including extensive work in acting across different mediums, significant contributions to music, and appearances on various television programs.
3.1. Acting Career
Liu Duan Duan has built a diverse acting career, appearing in numerous television series, films, and stage plays. He is known for his ability to portray a variety of characters, from complex historical figures to contemporary roles.
3.1.1. Television Series
Since 2008, Liu Duan Duan has taken on roles in a multitude of television dramas. His early television appearances include a cameo as a Japanese soldier in Centennial Rongbaozhai and Ao Biao in Royal Tramp, both in 2008. In 2010, he made another cameo as Duan Duan in Lohas.
He gained more significant roles in subsequent years, playing Xie Hai in The Great Protector (2014), Yi Zhi in Hei, Lao Tou'er (2015), and Zhang Xuecheng in Young Marshal (2015), where he co-starred with actor Wen Zhang. In 2016, he appeared as Hong Wei in I want to make you happy and had a cameo as a bar assailant in Hey, Kids.
In 2017, he portrayed the younger version of Guo Xiaoyang in A Splendid Life in Beijing and Emperor Taizong of Tang in Detective Dee. His role as Song Fei in Distant Home came in 2018.
A pivotal role in his career was Li Chengze, the Second Prince, in the highly popular 2019 series Joy of Life. His nuanced portrayal of the cunning and intelligent prince garnered significant attention and praise. He reprised this role in Joy of Life Season II, which is an upcoming project. Also in 2019, he played Hu Nan in We Are All Going To Be Good!.
In 2021, Liu Duan Duan featured in several major historical dramas. He played General Song Huai'en in Monarch Industry, Prince Dongchuan in Luoyang, and Zhao Kai in Sword Snow Stride. Other recent roles include Xu Jiafu in Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (2023), Xiao Liu/Qiao Zhong in Days with Ambition and Pride (filmed in 2019, released 2023), and Qu Chongyu in Weaving a Tale of Love Season II (2023).
Upcoming television projects include Li Xiao in Thunder Chaser, Wei Yan in The Prisoner Of Beauty, and Li Zhi (Emperor Gaozong of Tang) in Detective Dee's Cases.
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Centennial Rongbaozhai | 百年榮寶齋 | Japanese soldier | Cameo |
| 2008 | Royal Tramp | 鹿鼎記 | Ao Biao | Cameo |
| 2010 | Lohas | 樂活家庭 | Duan Duan | Cameo |
| 2014 | The Great Protector | 鏢門 | Xie Hai | |
| 2015 | Hei, Lao Tou'er | 嘿，老頭！ | Yi Zhi | |
| Young Marshal | 少帥 | Zhang Xuecheng | ||
| 2016 | I want to make you happy | 真心想讓你幸福 | Hong Wei | |
| Hey, Kids | 嘿,孩子 | Bar assailant | Cameo | |
| 2017 | A Splendid Life in Beijing | 生逢燦爛的日子 | Guo Xiaoyang | Young version |
| Detective Dee | 通天狄仁杰 | Emperor Taizong of Tang | ||
| 2018 | Distant Home | 遠方的家 | Song Fei | |
| 2019 | We Are All Going To Be Good! | 我们都要好好的 | Hu Nan | Supporting role |
| Joy of Life | 慶餘年 | Li Chengze | Season I | |
| 2021 | Monarch Industry | 上陽賦 | Song Huai'en | Supporting role |
| Thunder Chaser | 雷霆令 | Li Xiao | Main role | |
| Sword Snow Stride | 雪中悍刀行 | Zhao Kai | Supporting role | |
| Luoyang | 風起洛陽 | Prince Dongchuan | Web drama | |
| 2023 | Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains | 富春山居 | Xu Jiafu | |
| Days with Ambition and Pride | 鐵馬豪情的日子 | Xiao Liu/Qiao Zhong | Filmed in 2019 | |
| Weaving a Tale of Love Season II | 風起西州 | Qu Chongyu | Main role | |
| 2024 | Detective Dee's Cases | 大唐狄公案 | Li Zhi | |
| Joy of Life Season II | 慶餘年2 | Li Chengze | Supporting role | |
| TBA | The Prisoner Of Beauty | 折腰 | Wei Yan | Main role |
| Jing Nian | 经年 | Tong Qiu | ||
| Thunder Chaser | 雷霆令 | Li Xiao |
3.1.2. Films
Liu Duan Duan has also made notable appearances in films, often taking on complex and challenging roles.
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Role | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Manas Huyang | 玛纳斯胡杨 | Hou Guilin | Released | |
| 2012 | Opponent | 对手 | Shen Li | Released | |
| 2017 | Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield | 绣春刀2 | Xin Wang - Zhu Youjian | Supporting role | Released |
| 2018 | Counterespionage | 策反 | Yu Haofei | Released | |
| 2019 | The Gamers | 海市蜃城 | A Ke | Main role | Released |
| Eight Sons | 八子 | Man Zai | Main role; First leading film role | Released | |
| Jade Dynasty | 诛仙 | Senior Disciple Qi Hao | Supporting role | Released |
3.1.3. Stage Plays
As a member of the National Theatre Company of China, Liu Duan Duan has performed in numerous significant stage productions, showcasing his deep roots in theatrical arts.
| Category | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Play | Red Rock Soul | Liu Siyang |
| The Smiling Man | Black Angel | |
| WM. We | Jiushan | |
| Deep Burn | Mixia | |
| Pan Jinlian | Wu Song | |
| The Lower Depths | Thief Waxika | |
| Musical | Chopin | Heine |
| Play | Peculiar Interlude | Princeton |
| He and His Two Wives | Zhang Liguo | |
| Next to Heaven is a Mental Hospital | Wu Suo | |
| Red | Kan | |
| Musical | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Demetrius |
3.2. Music Activities
Liu Duan Duan is also an accomplished music producer and composer. His collaboration with music producer Tan Xuan led him to compose music for various film and television dramas. He has released several singles, many of which serve as theme songs or soundtracks for popular dramas.
| Song Title | Release Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chase (追) | Legend of Chasing Fish (追鱼传奇) OST | |
| Deep Affection as You (Cover: Zhou Shen) (浓情淡如你) | August 27, 2017 | Promotional song for Brotherhood of Blades II |
| Encounter (相遇) | October 31, 2017 | Special Elite (特勤精英) OST |
| Hero Saves the Beauty (英雄救美) | ||
| Mom, I Want to Tell You (妈妈，我想对你说) | September 3, 2018 | Distant Home (远方的家) OST |
| If I Meet You (如果遇见你) | November 7, 2018 | |
| Next Year (来年) | March 26, 2019 | |
| Are You Doing Well? (你过得还好吗) | May 23, 2019 | |
| Remembering (想起) | December 5, 2019 | Begonia Rouge (海棠经雨胭脂透) OST |
| Steadfast Hope (坚定希望) | February 2, 2020 | Public welfare song |
3.3. Television Appearances
Beyond acting, Liu Duan Duan has participated in various television programs, including variety shows and special events, showcasing his diverse talents and engaging with a wider audience.
In 2008, he was selected to perform the song "Me and You" (我和你) at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In 2011, he served as an MC for the "Culture Department Spring Festival Gala" (文化部春晚) on CCTV-1.
He has been a guest on several popular variety shows, including The Sound Immersive Season 3 (声临其境第三季) on February 15, 2020, where he impressed audiences with his voice acting skills. He also appeared on Ace vs. Ace Season 5 (王牌对王牌第五季) on April 17, 2020, as the Second Prince from Joy of Life. On August 8, 2020, he participated in King of Cross-Border Singers Season 5 (跨界歌王第五季) on Beijing TV, performing the opening song "To the End of the World".
Other appearances include Youth on Earth (青春在大地) on November 22, 2020, I Am an Actor Season 3 (我就是演员第三季) in December 2020, and Happy Camp (快乐大本营) on January 9, 2021. In August 2021, he joined the cast of Call Me By Fire (披荆斩棘的哥哥) and Brother's Boyhood (哥哥的少年时代) on Hunan TV. He also appeared on Detectives' Adventures (萌探探探案) on June 4, 2021, and Amazing Artists (了不起的艺能) on October 16, 2021.
| Program Name | Date/Episode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Sound Immersive Season 3 (声临其境第三季) | February 15, 2020 | As a mysterious voice |
| Ace vs. Ace Season 5 (王牌对王牌第五季) | April 17, 2020 | As the Second Prince from Joy of Life |
| King of Cross-Border Singers Season 5 (跨界歌王第五季) | August 8, 2020 | Performed the opening song "To the End of the World" |
| Youth on Earth (青春在大地) | November 22, 2020 | Episode 10 |
| I Am an Actor Season 3 (我就是演员第三季) | December 2020 | |
| Happy Camp (快乐大本营) | January 9, 2021 | |
| Call Me By Fire (披荆斩棘的哥哥) | August 2021 | Participated as one of 31 brothers |
| Detectives' Adventures (萌探探探案) | June 4, 2021 | Guest as the Second Prince from Joy of Life |
| Brother's Boyhood (哥哥的少年时代) | August 25, 2021, September 1, 2021 | Episodes 3 and 4 |
| Amazing Artists (了不起的艺能) | October 16, 2021 |
4. Personal Life
Information regarding Liu Duan Duan's personal life, such as marriage and family, is generally kept private. Publicly available details are limited, focusing primarily on his professional career and artistic endeavors.
5. Assessment and Impact
Liu Duan Duan has made a significant impact on Chinese popular culture through his diverse talents and consistent work across acting and music.
5.1. Positive Assessment
Liu Duan Duan is widely praised for his versatile acting skills, demonstrating a remarkable ability to embody a wide range of characters, from cunning and intelligent historical figures like Li Chengze in Joy of Life to complex, evolving roles such as Man Zai in Eight Sons. His performances are often noted for their depth and nuance, earning him favorable public reception and critical acclaim. Beyond acting, his contributions as a music producer and composer have showcased his artistic breadth, with his songs often resonating with audiences and complementing the dramas they accompany. His participation in popular variety shows has further endeared him to the public, highlighting his engaging personality and diverse talents.
5.2. Criticism and Controversy
As of currently available information, no specific criticisms or controversies related to Liu Duan Duan's career have been widely reported or noted. His public image remains largely positive, focusing on his artistic achievements and professional conduct.