On 26/2, romantic clips featuring Liu Xiaoqing and actor Kim Gia in the short film "Cam Tu An Nhien" garnered significant attention on social media, making it one of Weibo's most trending topics. Liu Xiaoqing plays To Uyen Thanh, a young woman whose family faces wrongful accusations and separation. With her sharp intellect and strong will, To Uyen Thanh gathers women to develop embroidery products. She eventually falls in love with Tinh Vuong, played by Kim Gia.

In one episode, Tinh Vuong initiates a kiss with To Uyen Thanh, confessing his feelings after they endure a crisis together. On Weibo, thousands of comments criticized Liu Xiaoqing's casting, stating that the character was unsuitable for her appearance and age, creating an awkward portrayal.

Viewers commented: "She's a producer; it would be better to give opportunities to younger actors", "Liu Xiaoqing should have played Tinh Vuong's grandmother", and "Do they have no better content, so they resort to this gimmick to attract attention to the film?".

However, some supported Liu Xiaoqing's choices, arguing that her roles help "break stereotypes and impositions on women".

In recent years, the veteran actress primarily features in short films streamed on video platforms. During a livestream, when asked about how age affects her career, Liu Xiaoqing stated that she can take on any role, except playing a man. She added: "Whether it is a young girl or an older woman, plump or thin, as long as the role is not a repeat of one I have already played, I can embody it."

With 50 years in the film industry, her most important criterion for choosing a script is the novelty of the character's personality. She does not concern herself with factors like age, or whether the character is a villain or protagonist. Among her recent film projects, Liu Xiaoqing favors director Ngo Nhi Thien's "Phong Than", believing she is well-suited to play Dac Ky because she can convey the character's charm, allure, and mystique through her eyes. According to the artist, expressive eyes are irreplaceable by AI technology for actors.

The artist joined the film industry in 1975, becoming a prominent figure in Chinese cinema during the 1980s and 1990s. She starred in numerous works, including "Lua Thieu Vien Minh Vien", "Thuy Liem Thinh Chinh", "Phuong Hoang Lua", "Phu Dung Tran", "Vo Tac Thien", "Lua Thieu Cung A Phong", "Bao Lien Dang", and "Vo Tac Thien Bi Su".

Nhu Anh