Liu Yuning (simplified Chinese: 刘宇宁; traditional Chinese: 劉宇寧; pinyin: Liú Yǔníng; born 8 January 1990) is a Chinese pop singer, actor, and the lead singer of Modern Brothers. In 2018 Liu rose to stardom by his covers on social media platforms, and released his debut single "Imagination" in September 15, 2018.[1][2][3] He released his debut studio Album "Ten" in 2019, and held his first concert tour (the "Growth Storm", 6 concerts in five cities) in 2020. His debut Album "Ten" won the "Media Recommended Album" award in 2020 Chinese Top Ten Music Awards, and his second EP "Listen Ning" (2020-21) won the "Most Popular EP" award in 2021 Chinese Top Ten Music Awards.[4] Besides singing, he also gains recognition for his roles in various TV series.[5]
Liu Yuning | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | |||||||
Born | (1990-01-08) 8 January 1990 (age 32) | ||||||
Nationality | Chinese | ||||||
Occupation |
| ||||||
Years active | 2018-present | ||||||
Chinese name | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | 劉宇寧 | ||||||
Simplified Chinese | 刘宇宁 | ||||||
| |||||||
Musical career | |||||||
Also known as | Xiao Ning (小宁)/ Lao Da (老大)/ Ning Ge (宁哥) | ||||||
Genres |
| ||||||
Website | |||||||
Musical artist |
Liu Yuning was born in Dandong, Liaoning Province. He grew up with his grandparents. After graduating from vocational high school, he tried different temporary jobs.[6] Liu does not have a formal music education and used to sing at local bars and restaurants. He later formed the rock band 'Modern Brothers'.
In 2010, Liu took part in Hunan Television's Super Boy, but was eliminated in the audition stage and failed to advance.[7]
In 2014, Liu formed Modern Brothers band with A Zhuo and Da Fei, and joined the YY live broadcasting platform in March 2015.
In 2017 he moved his band's live streaming stage from indoors to outdoors, to a historical street market in his hometown, Dandong.
Liu Yuning and the Modern Brothers band had a phenomenal rise to stardom after 4 years of live-streaming (singing) on the YY platform, a direct result of his posting of short singing videos on TikTok in June 2018.[8] He and his band were invited to various television shows to perform. In July and August 2018, Liu was invited to a number of television shows includes Hunan Television's Day Day Up[9] and CCTV3's Setting Out for Happiness, but his first professional music stage performance was Jiangsu Television's Finding Gold Song.[10] He was also invited to perform at festival galas. On October 19, he attended Zhejiang Television's Autumn Gala with his Modern Brothers band.[11] In November, he participated in Jiangsu Television's Mask Singer. On Dec 31, he attended Jiangsu Television's 2019 New Year Concert.
Liu Yuning also sang OSTs for various films and TV series that year. On July 30, he released "Toast the wine" (让酒) for Tomb of the sea (沙海). On September 12, Liu sang the theme song for Jia Zhangke's film Ash Is Purest White.[12]
On August 17, 2018, Liu and his Modern Brothers band held their first offline singing club event at the exhibition center of Guangzhou Central Station.[13]
On September 15, Liu released his first solo single "Imagine".[14]
In January 2019, Liu Yuning was voted the "National recommended singer" to be a contestant as the challenge singer in Hunan Television's singing competition Singer 2019.
On March 25, 2019, Liu won the Best New Artist and the Internet Influence Honor awards at the Chinese Top Ten Music Awards. His "Toast the Wine" was also awarded the Media Recommended OST. In March 2019, Liu participated as regular member in Hunan TV's variety show Our Brilliant Masters.
In October 2019, Liu participated as a regular member in Shanghai TV's music show Our song 2019. As one of the eight young singers, he teamed up with older generation singer Richie Jen.[15]
Liu and Modern Brothers also held their first concert tour in 5 cities from August to November 2019 (the last stop, planned to be held on February 14, 2020 in Wuhan, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic).[16][17]
Liu released dozens of singles and OSTs, including the theme song (Chinese version) for anime film Penguin Highway.
In December 2019, Liu released his first studio album "Ten" (十).[18]
He continues his high productivity in 2020 and multiple singles, EPs, and OSTs were released. His single "An Island" (一座岛), the 4th song for his first EP "Promise" (如约) was released on May 21, 2020. Other singles included "Stay up Late“ (熬夜) and "Flying on Paper" (纸上飞行), the second collaboration with CORSAK (胡梦周). From November to early December 2020, the trilogy "Loyal Audience" (忠实观众), " Hope You Are Well" (别来无恙) and "Handwritten Fairy Tale" (手写童话) for his second EP "Listen∙Ning" was released. Notable OSTs include theme song "Heroes in Harm's Way" for the first chapter of Heroes in Harm's Way, theme song "Love and Redemption" for the TV series Love and Redemption, and trailer song "A Good Guy" (挺好个人呐) for the movie My people, My Homeland.
In July 2020, Liu brought his new single "Talking about Love" (你说爱情啊) to the stage of Chinese Top Ten Music Awards, and he also won the All-round Artist of the Year award, the National Recommended Singer award, and the Media Recommended Album for his first studio album "Ten" (十).[19]
In 2021, Liu has released more than 30 OSTs for various TV series, movies, documentaries, and video games, including "Heavenly Questions" (天问) for the popular TV series Word of Honor, which won 3 consecutive top hits in Uni Music chart.[20][21] In March 21, "Magical Surprise" (奇妙的惊喜), the new theme song Liu sang for the 5th anniversary of Shanghai Disneyland was released. Liu is the first Chinese pop singer to sing a Chinese theme song for Disney.[22] Liu also sang the character song for Wei Wuxian in the Anime series Mo Dao Zu Shi.
In October 2021, Liu returned as a regular member in Shanghai TV's music show Our Song 2021. He teamed up with Penny Tai.[23]
In November 2021, Liu again won the All-round Artist of the Year award, the Internet Influential Male Singer award, and the Most Popular EP award for his second EP "Listen∙Ning" at the Chinese Top Ten Music Awards. In 2022, his OST for the famous drama Hello the Sharpshooterthat starred Xing Fei and Hu Yitian - The Only Light was released which was well praised by everyone around the world.
Year | Title | Album details | Tracking list |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Shi (Ten, 十) | Released 2019–12–15 |
|
2022 | TBD | 2022 |
|
Year | Title | Details | Note |
---|---|---|---|
2019–20 | Promise (如约) |
|
Promise was also soundtrack for Line Walker 2: Invisible Spy |
2020-21 | Listen∙Ning Trilogy |
|
Most Popular EP, 2021 at Chinese Top Ten Music Awards |
Year | Title | Note |
---|---|---|
2018 | Image (想象) | released 2018–09–15, first single |
Toast the Wine (让酒) | theme song for TV series Tomb of the Sea (沙海) | |
How much love can be repeated (有多少爱可以重来) | Trailer song for film Ash is Purest White (江湖儿女) | |
Love Song 1910 (恋语1910) | Theme song for TV series Shanghai Picked Flowers (十年阳光十年华) | |
Willing to go on adventures for you (愿意为你去冒险) | Theme song for TV series Eagles and Youngster (天坑鹰猎) | |
Adventurer (探险家) | Chinese trailer song for film Alpha (阿尔法: 狼伴归途) | |
My Way is My Tao (我行即我道) | Theme song for video game Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (天龙八部) | |
2019 | Beggar (乞丐) | Single |
That Girl (CORSAK remix) | 2019–05–31 with Olly Murs & CORSAK | |
Promise (如约) | Also soundtrack for Line Walker 2: Invisible Spy | |
Not Asking (不求) | Single | |
Would Rather (宁愿) | Trailer song for TV series Detective Pu Songling (神探蒲松龄) | |
Friendship Days (友情岁月), with Francis Ng (in Cantonese) | Trailer song for film Change of Gangster (转型团伙) | |
Pretend (装模做样) | Theme song for TV series A Trip to Encounter Love (一场遇见爱情的旅行) | |
Youth of Yesterday (昨日少年) | Trailer song for anime movie Penguin Highway | |
Where is the Lonely Man (孤独的人在哪里) | Single | |
Satellite Lover (人造卫星情人) | 2nd song in EP "Promise" | |
The Legendary Man (带风的少年) | Theme song for TV series Hot-blooded Youth (热血少年), with Huang Zitao | |
Precept (戒) | Soundtrack for TV series Hot-blooded Youth (热血少年) | |
2020 | One side (一边) | 2020–04–28; 3rd song in EP "Promise" |
An Island ( 一座岛) | 2020–05–21; 4th song in EP "Promise" | |
New Year's Song (过年的歌) | Single | |
Howlin (颠倒的梦) | with hip-hop group Far East Movement | |
Liangzhou Verse (凉州词) (Live) | TV show Classics Passed On; 3rd season, 4th episode | |
When I met you (当遇见你) | Soundtrack for TV series Skate into Love (冰糖炖雪梨) | |
It Is Not That Difficult (没那么难) | Soundtrack for TV series The Best of You in My Mind (全世界最好的你) | |
Bid Farewell (断缘诀) | Theme song for TV series God of Lost Fantasy (太古神王) | |
Please Be Happy for Me(要替我幸福) | Soundtrack for TV series My Love Enlightens Me (暖暖,请多指教) | |
Tide (浪) | Theme song for TV series River God 2 (河神2) | |
Talking about Love (你说爱情啊) | Theme song for TV series Young and Beautiful (我的漂亮朋友) | |
Love and Redemption (琉璃) | Theme song for TV series Love and Redemption (琉璃) | |
Just Want to Hold Your Hand for the Rest of Life (余生只想握紧你的手) | Soundtrack for TV series to Dear Myself (亲爱的自己) | |
Heroes in Harm's Way (逆行者) | Theme song for 1st episode ("In Harm's Way") of TV series Heroes in Harm's Way (最美逆行者) | |
A Good Guy (挺好个人呐) | Trailer song for film My People, My Homeland | |
Stay up Late (熬夜) | Single | |
Flying on Paper (纸上飞行) | With CORSAK (胡梦周), Single | |
I do (我愿意) | Theme song for TV series Love and Lost (最初的相遇, 最后的别离) | |
Ming Ming You Sheng (冥冥有声) | Theme song for TV series Ultimate Note (终极笔记) | |
See You When the Wind Blows (风起时再见) | Theme song for TV series The Burning River (迷雾追踪) | |
Unadorned (无华) | Theme Song for TV series "Legend of Fei " (有翡)with Zhang Liangying | |
2021 | What If (果如) | Theme song for Vocation of Love (假日暖洋洋) |
The Reason Why Love (爱情之所以) | Theme song for Fighting Youth (正青春) | |
Palpitation (心动) | Theme song for Dt. Appledog's Time (我的时代, 你的时代) | |
Young and Promising (青年有为) | Theme song for Commitment (约定) | |
Symphony of Waves (巨浪的交响) | Theme song (collaboration) for Commitment (约定) | |
Under the Dome (苍穹之下) | Theme song for Soul Land (斗罗大陆) | |
Heavenly Questions (天问) | Theme song for TV series Word of Honor (山河令) | |
Could Have (本可以) | Theme song for Rattan (司藤) | |
Nostalgia (眷恋) | Theme song for You Are My Hero (我是你的城池壁垒) | |
Magical Surprise (奇妙的惊喜) | 5th anniversary theme song for Disneyland Shanghai | |
You Have Me (你是我所有) | Theme song for TV series Love Scenery (良辰美景好时光) | |
Love at First Sight (一爱如故) | Theme song for TV series The Long Ballad (长歌行) | |
Life (人生啊) | Theme song for Octogenarian and the 90s (八零九零) | |
Judgement of the Underworld (天判) | 10th anniversary song for the online game A Chinese Ghost Story (新倩女幽魂) | |
Always Be with You (专属蓝天) | Theme song for TV series The Dance of the Storm (风暴舞) | |
Co-existence (同生) | Theme song for TV series The Love of Hypnosis (南烟斋笔录) | |
Whisper (呢喃) | Theme song for The Dance of the Storm (风暴舞) | |
Defeat (击溃) | Theme song for app game Soul Land (斗罗大陆) | |
Heritage (传承) | theme song, "Lu Ji Pingfutie, Palace Museum" (故宫博物院之陆机平复帖) | |
Sense (感应) | Theme song for TV series Ancient Love Poetry (千古玦尘) | |
The Most Romantic Forgetting (最浪漫的忘记) | Theme song for Never Say Goodbye (不说再见) | |
Choose to Love You (选择去爱你) | Theme song for Lover or Stranger (陌生的恋人) | |
Fireworks and Stars (烟火星辰) | Theme song for TV series You Are My Glory (你是我的荣耀) | |
Chang'an (长安) | Theme song for Stand by me (与君) | |
Daybreak (破晓) | Theme song for Zi Chuan (紫川动画片) | |
Clouds of my Homeland (故乡的云) | Cover | |
Be Earnest While You're Young (意气趁年少) | Theme song for A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College (国子监来了个女弟子) | |
The Vast Land (千里江山) | Theme song for documentary The Forbidden City (纪录片《故宫》) | |
How Long is Lifetime (一生有多远) | Theme song for film Forever Young (不老奇事) | |
Destiny (造化) | Character song of Wei Wuxian for anime series Mo Dao Zu Shi (魔道祖师) | |
Remembrance (念) | Theme song for film Schemes in Antiques (古董局中局) | |
Spend My Life with You (共度) | Theme song for My Sassy Princess (祝卿好) | |
2022 | Tiger Roar Spring (虎啸春来) | Theme song for film Run, Tiger, Run (小虎墩大英雄) |
You are My Starry Sky (你是我的星空) | Theme song for TV series Memory of Encaustic Tile (昔有琉璃瓦) | |
Song of Good Luck (好运歌) | Theme song for film Nice View (奇迹 笨小孩), with Zhang Bichen | |
Only Light (唯一的光) | Theme song for TV series Hello the Sharpshooter (你好, 神枪手) | |
The Road Less Travelled (少有人走的路) | Theme song for TV series Pride and Price (盛装) | |
The Book of Life (生命之书) | Theme song for TV series Glory of the Special Forces (特战荣耀) | |
Looking up the Clear Sky (仰望晴空) | Theme song for TV series Glory of the Special Forces (特战荣耀) | |
Unparalleled (无双) | Opening theme song for TV series Who Rules The World (且试天下) | |
Gentle Encounter (幸会的温柔) | Theme song for TV series Lady of Law (女士的法则) | |
Ke Zhui (可追) | Theme song for TV series Heroes (说英雄谁是英雄),with Zeng Shunxi | |
Ling Yun Ji(凌云寂) | Theme song for TV series Heroes (说英雄谁是英雄) | |
A Dream of Splendor (梦华) | Theme song for TV series A Dream of Splendor (梦华录) |
Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes/Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Hot-blooded Youth | 热血少年 | Wei Chengfeng (卫乘风) | |
2020 | Ultimate Note | 终极笔记 | Dark Glasses (黑眼镜) | |
2021 | The Long Ballad | 长歌行 | Hao Du (皓都) | [24] |
2022 | Heroes | 说英雄谁是英雄 | Bai Choufei (白愁飞) | [25] |
TBA | Zi Chuan | 紫川 | Di Lin (帝林) | [26] |
TBA | Legend of Anle | 安乐传 | Luo Mingxi (洛铭西) | [27] |
TBA | Heaven's Movement is Vigorous | 天行健 | Zhuo Bufan (卓不凡) |
Year | Show | Role | Performance |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Singer 2019 (Hunan TV) | Challenger Singer Candidate | "Someone like me" (像我这样的人), written by Mao Buyi; "Animal world" (动物世界), written by Xue Zhiqian |
Our Brilliant Masters | Regular guest | with Yu Xiaoguang, Wowkie Zhang, and Dong Sicheng | |
Our Song Season 1 (Shanghai TV) | Regular guest |
Episode 1 – "Beggar" (乞丐), "I Can Never Understand Your Love" (你的柔情我永远不懂)with Luo Qi | |
2020 | Junior Chefs 100 (Hunan TV) | Regular guest | |
Chinese restaurant season 4 (Human TV) | Guest | episodes 7–11 | |
Go Fighting! season 6 (Shanghai TV) | Guest | episodes 8–10 | |
2021 | Junior Chefs 100 season 2 (Hunan TV) | Regular guest | |
Our Song Season 3 (Shanghai TV) | Regular Guest | Group B, with David Lui, Penny Tai, Bibi Zhou,Wowkie Zhang, Silence Wang, Zhai Xiao Wen, Meng Hui Yuan, and Shan Yi Chun
Episode 3 – "Till the end" (啊默契) & "Night after night" (夜夜夜夜) with Penny Tai | |
Session | Date | Country | City | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2019–8–17 | ![]() | Beijing | MasterCard Center (五棵松体育馆) |
2 | 2019–8–18 | ![]() | Beijing | MasterCard Center (五棵松体育馆) |
3 | 2019–8–31 | ![]() | Shanghai | Mercedes-Benz Arena (梅赛德斯奔驰文化中心) |
4 | 2019–10–26 | ![]() | Chengdu | WULIANGYE ChengDu Financial City Arena (五粮液成都金融城演艺中心) |
5 | 2019–11–9 | ![]() | Guangzhou | Guangzhou Haixinsha Asiad Park (广州海心沙亚运公园) |
6 | 2019–11–30 | ![]() | Dalian | Dalian Sports Centre Stadium (大连体育中心体育馆) |
Singer / I Am a Singer (歌手 / 我是歌手) | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seasons |
| ||||||||||||||||
Contestants |
| ||||||||||||||||
Versions outside China |
| ||||||||||||||||
Related topics | |||||||||||||||||
Names in Bold indicate the winning singer, while Italics indicate the runner-up singer. Singers are listed based on their original season appearances, returning singers (who participated in seasons 5 or 8) are not repeated.
Singers participated in groups are listed in parenthesis. Initial singers first listed in order of official announcement, followed by Substitute/Challenge Singers in order of appearance. ∆ Substitute Singer ∇ Challenger/National's Recommended Singer/Surprise Challenger ƒ Finalist singer н Hosting singer † Withdrew (but have performed Return Performance) ‡ Withdrew § Non-contestant (Eliminated without ever performing Breakouts) |