Liu Yifei, widely known as China’s “Fairy Sister,” has audiences worldwide with her ethereal beauty and exceptional acting talent. The 37-year-old Chinese-American actress has become one of the most recognizable faces in both Chinese and international cinema, particularly after her starring role in Disney’s live-action Mulan. However, beyond her professional achievements, fans and media outlets have shown intense curiosity about her personal life and romantic relationships.
The entertainment industry’s fascination with Liu Yifei’s dating life stems from her carefully maintained private persona and selective public appearances. Unlike many celebrities who frequently share personal details on social media, Liu Yifei has consistently kept her romantic life under wraps, making any potential relationship news highly sought after by fans and paparazzi alike.
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Liu Yifei has been at the center of multiple dating rumors involving high-profile figures from different industries. These speculations have ranged from fellow actors to business executives, creating a complex web of rumors that have dominated Chinese social media platforms and entertainment news outlets.
Her dating history includes one confirmed public relationship, but recent months have seen an explosion of unverified claims about secret marriages, business partnerships masquerading as romance, and potential new relationships with significantly younger or older partners. Understanding the truth behind these rumors requires careful examination of the evidence and separating fact from speculation.
Confirmed Relationship History
Liu Yifei’s most well-documented romantic relationship was with South Korean actor Song Seung-heon, whom she met during the production of the 2014 Chinese romantic film The Third Way of Love. The couple maintained a relatively private relationship initially but went public in 2015, surprising fans across Asia who had been speculating about their connection.
Their relationship lasted approximately three years, with the couple officially announcing their breakup in 2018. The primary reason cited for their separation was their increasingly busy schedules, which made it difficult to maintain their long-distance relationship between China and South Korea. This breakup marked the end of Liu Yifei’s only publicly confirmed romantic relationship to date.
The relationship with Song Seung-heon demonstrated Liu Yifei’s preference for keeping her personal life private, as the couple rarely made public appearances together and shared minimal details about their relationship on social media platforms.
Recent Dating Rumors and Speculation
The Huawei Executive Controversy
One of the most significant dating rumors surrounding Liu Yifei emerged in March 2025, involving Huawei Executive Director Yu Chengdong, who is 18 years her senior. The speculation began when Chinese netizens noticed that Liu and Yu had followed each other on Weibo, China’s primary social media platform.
The rumors intensified dramatically after Liu liked a video posted by Yu celebrating International Women’s Day. In the video, Yu filled a Huawei Cherry Luxeed R7 car with yellow roses while stating, “Yellow roses symbolize freedom and courage. Happy International Women’s Day.” The yellow roses became particularly significant because Liu Yifei is strongly associated with this flower due to her prominent role in the popular C-drama The Tale of Rose.
However, Yu Chengdong quickly dismissed these dating claims as “totally false” when contacted by media outlets. Speaking to Jany Hejuan Zhao, CEO of TMTPost Group, via WeChat, Yu stated emphatically, “I have never met her so far in my entire lifetime.” Despite his denial, the rumors persisted, especially after Liu appeared with Yu during a livestream event on March 24, 2025, where she wore a white shirt and yellow dress and interacted with him in what observers described as a cheerful, friendly manner.
The professional explanation for their interactions centers around Liu Yifei’s appointment as brand ambassador for Hongmeng Intelligent Driving, a smart car company where Yu serves as CEO. Reports indicate that Huawei has signed Liu as the brand ambassador for its automobile division, and she has been observed using Huawei smartphones.
The Billionaire Godfather Marriage Claims
Perhaps the most controversial rumors emerged in January 2025, when Weibo users claimed that Liu Yifei had secretly registered her marriage with billionaire Chen Jinfei after allegedly reconciling in mid-2024. These rumors suggested that the pair had been frequently spotted dining together, though they reportedly refrained from showing intimacy in public, with Liu Yifei’s personal assistant present at all meetings.
Chen Jinfei, a wealthy real estate mogul with an estimated net worth of $8.4 billion, has been a significant figure in Liu Yifei’s life since she was five years old, when he became her godfather. He played a pivotal role in her career, bringing her back to China at age 13 and using his wealth and connections to help her secure prominent roles at just 15 years old.
However, Chinese media quickly investigated and debunked these marriage rumors. According to reports, Chen Jinfei has committed to never marrying any of his romantic partners to protect his son’s inheritance, who lives privately in the United States. Their relationship is described as mutually beneficial, with Chen viewing Liu Yifei as his most valuable protégée in the entertainment industry.
Younger Actor Connections
Additional speculation has emerged about Liu Yifei’s potential romantic involvement with younger actors. Recent rumors have linked her to Chinese actor Li Xian, who is four years younger than her, after they were reportedly seen together at a party.
Another set of rumors from September 2024 suggested a relationship with actor Yu Shi, who is nine years younger than Liu Yifei. These rumors began after the pair worked together dubbing Disney’s 100th anniversary animated film Wish in 2023. Speculation intensified when they were allegedly spotted going to movies together, with reports claiming they entered a theater separately but sat next to each other.
Current Relationship Status
As of June 2025, Liu Yifei appears to be single, with no confirmed romantic relationships. Despite the numerous rumors and speculation surrounding her personal life, she has not publicly addressed any of the dating claims or confirmed any new partnerships.
Liu Yifei’s approach to her personal life remains consistent with her long-standing preference for privacy. She continues to focus on her professional career while maintaining minimal disclosure about her romantic relationships. Her representatives have not responded to recent dating rumors, and she has not made any public statements clarifying her relationship status.
The actress continues to be one of China’s most sought-after performers, with her career experiencing a significant resurgence under the management and backing of her godfather Chen Jinfei’s entertainment company. Her professional success and carefully maintained public image suggest that she prioritizes her career over public romantic relationships.
