What Happened to Li Ziqi? Will She Make a Return?
by Sakthi
Updated May 18, 2023
Who is Li Ziqi?
Li Ziqi, a Chinese vlogger, entrepreneur, and Internet sensation, has gained widespread recognition for her captivating videos showcasing food and handicraft preparations. Hailing from the rural Pingwu County in the Mianyang region of north-central Sichuan Province, southwest China, Li Ziqi employs traditional Chinese techniques, utilizing basic ingredients and tools.
Her YouTube channel, boasting over 2.7 billion views and 16 million subscribers as of August 21, 2021, holds the esteemed Guinness World Record for "the most subscribers for a Chinese language channel on YouTube." Born in 1990 in Pingwu County, Sichuan Province, China, Li Ziqi faced a challenging upbringing after losing her parents at a young age.
She was raised by her grandparents and eventually dropped out of high school at 14, starting her career as a waitress. Later, she ventured into the fields of beauty and modeling. In 2016, Li Ziqi launched her YouTube channel, where she began sharing videos showcasing the creation of traditional Chinese cuisine and handicrafts.
Her content rapidly gained popularity, amassing a sizable following. Li Ziqi's videos are renowned for their stunning cinematography and their dedicated focus on traditional Chinese culture. She often incorporates traditional Chinese music and attire into her productions.
Li Ziqi's videos have garnered acclaim for their positive messages and their authentic representation of traditional Chinese culture. She has been hailed as a "cultural ambassador" for China, credited with revitalizing interest in the nation's traditional customs.
Recognizing her impact, Li Ziqi received the People's Choice Award from the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, in 2019. Additionally, she was nominated as a member of the All-China Youth Federation.
Li Ziqi serves as a role model for numerous young individuals in China, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve success while preserving and cherishing traditional Chinese culture. She continues to inspire people worldwide, making a positive impact on society.
What Happened to Li Ziqi?
Li Ziqi, the Chinese YouTuber is known for her lifestyle content, ceased uploading videos over a year ago due to a legal dispute with her agent. However, the case has now been settled, raising the possibility of her returning with fresh material.
Hangzhou Weinian Brand Management Co., the agent involved, announced on their official WeChat account that they had settled through mediation with Li Ziqi at the Intermediate People's Court in Mianyang, Sichuan Province, where Li resides. The specific details of the case have not been disclosed.
The disagreement first came to light in July when Li's channel, which had over 17 million subscribers on YouTube and 7.7 million on China's Bilibili video platform, abruptly stopped releasing new content. From October 2021 to March 2022, both Li and Weinian filed lawsuits against each other multiple times, but the reasons behind the disputes were not made public.
In 2017, Li and Weinian established a joint venture named Sichuan Ziqi Culture Communication Co., with Li holding 49 percent of the shares and Weinian as the majority stakeholder. However, recent records from the Chinese business information site Qichacha show that as of Monday, the joint venture now lists Li as the majority owner, possessing a 99 percent stake, while Weinian retains a 1 percent stake.
According to a report from the Chinese media outlet China Entrepreneur, which cited an individual familiar with the situation, it is anticipated that Li will make a comeback with new content while maintaining her relationship with Weinian.
Neither Weinian nor Li had responded to requests for comment as of Wednesday. Li gained prominence in 2015 by sharing videos depicting her serene lifestyle, which involves cooking and engaging in handicrafts in Sichuan. Weinian signed her in 2016 and facilitated the promotion of her videos. I even broke her own Guinness World Record, set in 2020, for having the "most subscribers for a Chinese-language channel on YouTube."
What Happened to Li Ziqi After the Legal Dispute?
Li Ziqi, China's beloved vlogger, successfully settled with her agency, Weinian, on December 27th. This development opens the door for her long-awaited return with fresh content after a hiatus of 531 days. The news of Li Ziqi's resolved legal dispute has sparked lively discussions among her fans, both within China and internationally.
On platforms like Weibo, China's largest microblogging site, the topic "Li Ziqi is set to make a comeback" quickly rose to the top of the Hot Search list, amassing over 390 million views. With the end of her year-and-a-half silence, Li Ziqi can finally claim ownership of her brand and rightfully receive the income she deserves.
Before the complications arising from the business dispute, Li Ziqi gained fame in 2015 for sharing tranquil and authentic lifestyle videos, showcasing her craftsmanship and cooking skills in the countryside of her hometown, Sichuan Province.
Despite the absence of new content, Li Ziqi's YouTube channel continues to boast over 17.5 million subscribers as of 2023. When considering her presence on other social media platforms such as Douyin, Bilibili, and Weibo, her worldwide following exceeds 100 million. During her period of inactivity, questions like "What happened to Li Ziqi?" and "Why did she stop uploading content?" have appeared as comments from her international followers on her YouTube channel.
In today's fast-paced society, brands often encourage consumers to pursue a productive lifestyle. For example, SHEIN, a Chinese online fast fashion retailer, releases over a thousand new items daily, and short-form videos are experiencing a rapid surge in popularity.
Is Li Ziqi Back on Track?
Li Ziqi's fans eagerly anticipated her comeback after a significant hiatus from posting videos on her YouTube channel. The last video she shared was on July 14, 2021, and since then, there have been no new uploads. Despite this prolonged absence, her dedicated subscriber base remains steadfast in their anticipation of her return.
The comment section of her last video became inundated with messages expressing their longing for her to resume her creative endeavors. The anticipation and longing for Li Ziqi's comeback are palpable among her followers. They eagerly await new content, hoping to once again witness her captivating storytelling, mesmerizing cinematography, and inspiring demonstrations of craftsmanship.
Li Ziqi's videos have captured the hearts and imaginations of millions worldwide with their unique blend of traditional Chinese culture, culinary expertise, and serene countryside settings. In the interim period without new uploads, her subscribers have shown unwavering support, leaving encouraging messages and expressing their unwavering belief in Li Ziqi's ability to continue captivating audiences with her remarkable content.
They eagerly await the day when her channel will once again light up with fresh videos, showcasing her talent, passion, and commitment to sharing the beauty of Chinese culture with the world. In case she comes back on her track, the good news about her comeback will be updated on our page.
What Happened to Li Ziqi: FAQs
Li Ziqi, a Chinese vlogger, entrepreneur, and Internet sensation, has gained widespread recognition for her captivating videos showcasing food and handicraft preparations.
Li Ziqi's last video was posted on July 14, 2021.
Li Ziqi has been on a hiatus without uploading any new videos for quite some time.
Yes, her subscribers are eagerly anticipating her comeback.
The comment section of her last video was flooded with messages expressing the desire for her to return to her creative endeavors.