Li Xian (actor)


Li Xian is a Chinese actor. He made his feature film debut in 2011 and is best known for his role in the drama Go Go Squid!.

Early life

Li Xian was born on 19 October, 1991, in Xianning and grew up in Jingzhou, Hubei. He studied at Jingzhou Middle School. In 2009, he planned to study STEM in college, but after failing the annual college entrance examination, he took the test again and entered Beijing Film Academy Performance Department in 2010. For the convenience of entry, Li changed his Chinese name from "晛" to "现" which means "present". Li was the first college student from Jingzhou, Hubei Province to be admitted to the academy.

Career

2011–2018: Acting debut and Rising popularity

Li began his acting career by appearing in small roles during his second year in director Wang Jing's film, Feng Shui. The director was a professor in the photography department of Li's school at that time. He wanted to find Hubei children at the age of 18–19 who were preparing for the college entrance examination. The following year, he had a small role in the romance teen flick Singing When We're Young, produced by Andy Lau. In 2014, Li made his small-screen debut in the urban web series, City of Fantasy.
In 2016, Li co-starred with Chen Xiao, Du Tianhao and Liu Ruilin in the coming-of-age brotherhood web series, Who Sleeps My Bro which is adapted from Gao Xiaosong's song with the same name. To meet the image of a rough man required in the play, he always went to the playground to play football under the blazing sun over 30℃, went to move with the people of the moving company, and finally became a dark, strong, bearded guy, Xie Xun. In April, the series was adapted into a film starring the original cast. In the same year, he co-starred with Angelababy, Jing Boran, and Bai Yu in the Esports romance film "Love O2O", and played the role Yu Banshan, best friend of leading actor Xiao Nai in the film. Li co-starred alongside Zhang Ruoyun and Jiao Junyan in the first Chinese forensic web series, Medical Examiner Dr. Qin as the criminal police captain, Lin Tao. The web series has been praised for its bold plots, intense storyline and good-looking performers. The web series garnered 1.2 Billion views. In December, he starred in the music video of Zhang Jiao's " I'm Jiang Xiaobai 2016 " and also featured in the second edition music video of Luhan’s Medal.
Li received his first starring role in web series Tientsin Mystic as Guo Deyou. To shape the character better, he learned Mengzi dialect, freediving, snorkeling, and deep diving. The web series was praised as a big quality improvement of Chinese web series and received Douban score 8.2. Netflix bought the copyright. Li also received praises for his acting as well as his rising popularity. In the same year, Li with other Chinese young actor acted in the film The Founding of an Army which was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the establishment of People's Liberation Army, as Luo Ronghuan. In 2018, Li starred in the romance television series, Only Side by Side with You as a special forces agent, Chang Jianxiong. To play the role, Li gained 20 pounds in 45 days and gained 8 packs. Later he made a special appearance in the web series, Women in Shanghai. In the same year Li once again co-starred with Zhang Ruoyun in Nuts as Xu Zicong, the rich second generation who has both high intelligence quotient as well as emotional intelligence that make him Huang Jian's biggest competitor.

2019–present: Breakthrough

At the end of 2017, Li, who was still busy with the promotion period of Tientsin Mystic received an invitation to the live action costume drama Sword Dynasty. He entered the film crew three months in advance to receive sword training and physical training. The shooting began in 2018, to get the most perfect shot, he often shoots it over and over again. There is a 360-degree rollover lens in Weihua. He has repeatedly shot more than 20 times. After the filming, he has suffered from muscle strain. The web drama was broadcast on iQIYI after his hit esports romantic comedy television series, Go Go Squid!
Li revealed that he was filming in Hengdian, when the staff recommended the novel and script of Go Go Squid! to him. Li received the offered because he thought that the character has a lot of fits with him, right perseverance in work and dreams, just like his attitude towards his career as an actor. According to Fang Ying, vice-president of Huace/Croton Media, when Li first came on set he couldn't walk properly, however he overcame the injury and spared no effort in coping with the filming schedule. The series not only topped television ratings on its timeslot and the most streamed television series, but was also the best national television series in 2019. Li‘s portrayal of Han Shangyan received mixed responses; some viewers criticize his low voice and his short lines; but he also received great attention by not only capturing a large number of young fans, but also attracting a group of "mom fans" with economic strength; top list the network transmission popularity index; as well as a praise from Xinhua News' editor. Li topped the list of 2019 episodes' network broadcast index with Go Go Squid! and Sword Dynasty, marking a breakthrough on his career.
Li also participated in the soundtrack title For Future charted on Billboard China Social Chart as well as Billboard China Top 100 for 10 weeks and peak at Top 7. Li latter made a cameo appearance as Air Traffic Controller in Chinese film The Captain directed by Hong Kong's Andrew Lau Wai-keung, which is based on a real-life mid-air crisis aboard a Sichuan Airlines flight. He sing the soundtrack of Red Fox Scholar, titled Glorious Future with Chen Linong and peak at 8 on Billboard China Social Chart
In 2020, made a guest appearance on the program Into the Spring Gala, and appeared on the CCTV New Year's Gala for the first time. He sang the song "Hello 2020" with Zhou Dongyu, Ma Sichun, Li Qin, and Zhu Yilong. In February, Li with Chang Shilei, Doudou and Zhu Yilong participated in a song to encourage citizens of Wuhan in their fight against COVID-19. The lyrics express concern and gratitude towards the unsung medical heroes who sacrifice themselves for Wuhan. On 11 May, Li officially announced as the lead role in the historical television series A Love Never Lost, considered by screenwriters and directors as the closest choice to the script.
Currently Li has 4 unreleased films including The Enigma of Arrival which scheduled to be released on Valentine's Day 2020, but delayed to amid the Coronavirus disease Red Fox Scholar, Schemes in Antiques, and Love Song 1980.

Public image

General

Li has been labeled as "Present boyfriend" The first impression of Li is moderate and modesty. Ms. Chi Xiangzhen, head of the Weiquan brand headquarters praised Li's sunny and fresh image as well as his dedicated and hard-working breakthrough modern attitude. Actress Yang Zi, Li's co-starred in Go Go Squid! complimented him as one of the most serious and dedicated actors she has worked with. She defend Li from the statement that he became popular instantly by citing his previous hard work in the industry. GQ's editor in 2019 mentioned Li as the best example of golden and hard-working people who will definitely succeed. CEO Yang Tian Zen told Youth With You's contestants to take Li as the role model once they gained fame. She praises Li who still manage to learn Japanese and English to elevate his acting skill despite all the opportunities to use all of his time to gain more money.
Li cites actor He Zhengyu, Oguri Shun, Ryan Gosling as his favorite actor and want to create characters and repertoires that have a positive effect on the film industry, audience, and society. He has always loved watching movies and sharing film reviews, he even predicted the Oscar winner list for 2020 edition and got 9 of 10 prediction success. Regarding this, actress Liu Tianchi praised his professionalism.
Li isn't an idol, he always cite his self as an actor. He is recognized for his masculine appearance, sun-healthy and stylish images, positive energy and good attitude. He often featured in fashion magazines.

Weibo

Li likes to share about sports, book lists, music and movies on his Weibo. In 2019, during the broadcast of his drama Go Go Squid!, Li's Baidu Index, WeChat Index and Weibo all rank first in terms of follower growth. His followers on Weibo grew quickly from 5 million to 20 million. He listed as Baidu’s Top 10 the most-searched celebrities of 2019.

Philanthropy

In 2016, Li attended the "Xindi Charity Vertical Run-Bravely Go to Shanghai IFC" held at the Shanghai International Financial Center of the "Vertical Marathon World Tour", as an ambassador. He participated in the starting ceremony, as well as the learn aerobics with the children on the scene. In March 2017, he participated in the promotion of the United Nations World Wildlife Day through public welfare videos and social media, calling on the public to actively participate in the protection of wildlife and defend the natural environment. In December 2017, the third UNited Nations Environment Conference was held under the theme of "Towards a Zero Pollution Earth" and called on the world to take action to meet the current environmental challenges. Li promoted the theme of "Conquering Pollution" through public welfare videos. In 2018, he was appointed as a brand ambassador of White Magnolia's Reading Program at the 24th Shanghai TV Festival.
Li is the goodwill ambassador of China Youth Development Foundation. On 29 January, he donated 200,000 yuan to the foundation's "Fight against the Epidemic – Project Hope Special Action" to support efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic. His act lead fans to spontaneously launch a public fundraising activity "Donate together with Idol Li" through the Blog Public Welfare Platform of Sina Weibo, which raised over 1.1 million yuan of donations and materials. On the 51st Earth Day, Li and Ma Sichun were invited as the representative of "4.22 Earth Day: I Commit to Be a Responsible Consumer" series of public welfare activities, "Good for Earth, Good for Me: For the Earth for Ourselves" annual charity project. In their respective areas of concern, they spoke on the all-media platform in the form of public welfare posters and public welfare advocacy videos committed responsible consumers. In the public welfare advocacy videos, they all discussed how to consume responsibly in their daily lives and earnestly consume responsibly from various aspects of clothing, food, housing, transportation, and shopping.

Endorsements

Li Xian is represents a neutral persona that can resonate with both male and female customers. He was introduced as the global spokesperson of a smartphone, luxury lifestyle brands, one of largest international sportswear, international cosmetic, an American clothing brand, a major Chinese manufacturer of appliances, the largest card payment organization, online marketplace, home furniture, food and beverages. He was even appointed as the first brand ambassador of a resort and tourism campaign, which earned him Brand Value Star of The Year.

Filmography

;Film
;Television
;Short film
;Variety Show

Awards and nominations

His role as Guo Deyou on Tientsin Mystic earned him a nomination at The Actors of China Award for Best Web Drama Actor, and popularity award from Netease Awards In 2019, his role as Han Shangyan on Go Go Squid! earned him a nomination at Huading Awards for Best Newcomer, and a nomination at The Actors of China Award for Best actor. He won Tencent Video All Star Awards for Quality Actor of the Year;, and popularity awards at Weibo Weibo TV Awards; iQIYI All-Star Carnival, GQ Men of the Year, Esquire's Man at His Best Awards, Film and TV Role Model Annual Ranking, and Best Choice of Multi-Screen Communication for Influential Actor. He listed as The Beijing News's Entertainment Person of the Year, as well as a spot in Forbes China 30 Under 30.