Liu Yuning Raises a New “Flag” at the Quality Ceremony, Vowing Two Broadcast Projects for Next Year.
Chinese singer‑actor Liu Yuning has once again turned a routine appearance into a moment that fans are dissecting across social media. At a recent ceremony – widely reported as the “Quality Ceremony” (品质盛典) – the former frontman of the indie‐rock group Modern Brothers publicly declared a new personal milestone, a move that Chinese netizens describe as “setting a flag” (立下 flag). In internet slang, a flag is a bold, often playful pledge that a celebrity makes in front of the camera, inviting both support and a touch of good‑natured teasing about whether it will be kept.

2 September 2025
During the live broadcast Liu smiled, lifted his hand, and said, “If two of my works can be broadcast next year, that would be a breakthrough.” The remark, rendered in Mandarin as “明年能播俩就算突破~”, was followed by a dramatic line from the drama 珠帘玉幕 (Beaded Curtain and Jade Screen): “一生专注一事,自然无人能及!” – “Focus on one thing in life, and naturally no one can surpass you!” The quote underscored his reputation for dedication, something that has defined his transition from music to acting over the past few years.
The declaration did not emerge in a vacuum. Liu’s career has been punctuated by a series of self‑imposed targets that have become a recurring storyline on his Weibo and Douyin (TikTok) accounts. In late August 2024, for instance, he pledged to expand his acting portfolio, and by the spring of 2025 the promise had already shown signs of being fulfilled. A short video posted after August 26 2025 captured fans chanting, “Last year’s flag came true this year! No wonder you’re an actor, @ModernBrothers!” The post went viral, turning Liu’s personal goal‑setting into a public ritual that his followers eagerly track.
The most recent flag came as Liu was promoting the third season of the mystery‑variety show 开始推理吧3 (Begin Reasoning 3). The program, which blends puzzle‑solving with celebrity banter, featured a memorable segment in which actress Dilireba joked about Liu’s “dark‑room” transformation. She noted that in the previous season he had been described as “开灯一米八关灯一米三” (the distance between the light turning on and off was 1.8 meters and 1.3 meters, respectively), whereas this year he had become “铁坦” – a slang term meaning “iron‑clad.” The comment was interpreted as an acknowledgment that Liu was pushing his own limits on the show, a subtle nod to his newly‑announced flag.
The timing of Liu’s pronouncement also coincided with a high‑profile press conference for Begin Reasoning 3, where he appeared alongside actors Bai Yu, Dilireba, Jin Jing, and Zhang Linghe. The gathering, which was livestreamed to millions of viewers, served as both a showcase for the upcoming series and a stage for Liu’s latest career promise. The “two‑project” goal is not merely a numeric target; it signals his intent to cement his status as a dual‑track entertainer who can command both the music charts and television screens.
Industry observers see Liu’s flag‑making as part of a broader trend in Chinese pop culture, where celebrities use public vows to shape their brand narratives. By coupling his personal ambition with a line from 珠帘玉幕, Liu tapped into the drama’s theme of single‑minded devotion, positioning himself as an artist who values depth over breadth. The response on Weibo has been overwhelmingly supportive, with fans flooding the comment section with emojis of flags, fireworks, and “go for it” chants. Some users have playfully set up their own “flags” – one promising to watch every episode of Begin Reasoning 3, another vowing to learn the guitar as Liu did earlier in his career.
While the phrase “setting a flag” carries a lighthearted undertone, it also creates a measurable checkpoint for the star. In the past, Liu’s 2023 flag – to appear in a television drama that would reach a national audience – materialized when 珠帘玉幕 aired to strong ratings earlier this year. The fulfillment of that pledge bolstered his credibility and amplified the anticipation surrounding his latest promise. If Liu succeeds in having two of his projects broadcast in 2026, it could mark the first time he meets a self‑set benchmark that explicitly references quantity, not just quality.
For now, the entertainment world watches with a mixture of amusement and genuine curiosity. Liu’s blend of earnest aspiration and self‑aware humor makes his flags feel less like boastful statements and more like communal challenges that fans can rally behind. Whether “two projects” translates into two dramas, two films, or a mix of on‑screen and musical releases remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Liu Yuning has turned a simple line at a ceremony into a cultural moment, reminding audiences that in today’s digital age a celebrity’s vow can travel faster than any press release – and can inspire an entire fanbase to set their own flags along the way.


