Liu Yuning Shines in SHAO at the 2026 Hunan TV Spring Festival Gala
Chinese singer and actor Liu Yuning captivated audiences at the 2026 Hunan TV Lunar New Year's Eve Gala wearing Look 3 from SHAO's SS26 Chrome Legacy collection. The Modern Brothers frontman delivered a memorable performance of his single "Thump Thump" (also known as "Plop Plop"), transforming the traditional gala stage into an immersive celebration of music, technology, and heartfelt connection.
About Liu Yuning
Liu Yuning is a multifaceted Chinese pop singer and actor who rose to fame through live-streaming performances with his band Modern Brothers. Born in Dandong, Liaoning Province, his journey to stardom was anything but conventional—from working as a chef and waiter to becoming one of China's most beloved entertainers. With over 100 singles and OSTs to his name, numerous awards including Best New Artist and All-Round Artist of the Year at the Chinese Top Ten Music Awards, and acclaimed acting roles in dramas like The Long Ballad, A Journey to Love, and Kneeling, Liu Yuning has proven himself a true all-round entertainer.
A Performance That Made Hearts "Thump"
Liu Yuning's performance of "Thump Thump" was nothing short of spectacular. Set against a dreamy backdrop of seaside vistas and starry skies, the upbeat, sweet melody combined with his dynamic stage movements left viewers swooning. People's Daily praised the performance for "making the audience's hearts pound."
The high-energy finale saw Liu Yuning repeatedly squatting and standing while throwing dozens of heart-shaped pillows into the audience—a gesture so enthusiastic that viewers jokingly commented he "completed an aerobic workout on stage." The interactive moment perfectly captured the festive spirit, with fans calculating that the number of pillows scattered "roughly equaled his annual claw machine KPI."
Virtual Pet "Dami" Steals the Show
In a creative twist that delighted audiences, a 3D cartoon version of Liu Yuning's real-life pet dog "Dami" appeared on the stage's large screen. Three virtual Dami dogs wiggled to the rhythm alongside their owner, creating an adorable human-and-dog dance duet. The charming segment sparked viral reactions online, with netizens joking that "Dami is the real top star" and that "the professional skills of female celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry (Dami) never falter!"
The Look: SHAO SS26 Chrome Legacy
For this unforgettable performance, Liu Yuning wore Look 3 from SHAO's Futures of the Past: Chrome Legacy collection. The black and white checkered suit was praised by fashion bloggers as "retro and elegant," perfectly embodying the collection's exploration of time as something porous—where history, present, and future overlap.
Designed by Taiwanese-born, Brooklyn-raised designer Shao Yang, the Chrome Legacy collection was unveiled at ARTECHOUSE NYC during New York Fashion Week. The collection asks a deeply personal and speculative question: "If my grandparents stepped into a DeLorean, what would they wear to fit into 2075 without abandoning who they were in 1975?" Drawing on fashion from the 1970s through an imagined 2070s, the collection features sharp tailoring, glitter-dusted checks, chrome finishes, and neon accents—a perfect match for Liu Yuning's dynamic stage presence.
Behind the Scenes
Liu Yuning has become a familiar face at the Hunan Spring Festival Gala, revealing that he has only missed two galas since his debut—one of which he attended despite a foot injury. His dedication to the event and love for Hunan audiences (and Changsha's famous pork lard noodles) has made him a beloved regular.
Rehearsal footage released by his studio showed a playful side: Liu Yuning appeared bare-faced with stubble, prompting fans to call him "super manly," while another clip featured him in a bunny-ear hat playing a kazoo—a charmingly contrasting look that showcased his down-to-earth personality.
Audience Reactions and Impact
The performance topped real-time ratings for its time slot, with hashtags including #LiuYuningBackupDancerDami and #LiuYuningDidAerobicsOnStage trending on social media. His spontaneous a cappella rendition of "The Song of the New Year" during the interactive segment was praised for its "joyful melody, the New Year's spirit overflowing from the screen."
Fellow artist Richie Jen posted a heartfelt thank-you for strawberries Liu Yuning gifted from his hometown, saying "They taste sweet in my mouth and sweet in my heart." Fans placed support advertisements on the Ferris wheel at Window of the World, and after the performance, Liu Yuning personally went down from the stage to greet the audience—earning widespread praise for his "sincere love for his fans."
A Perfect Fusion of Style and Spirit
Liu Yuning's appearance in SHAO's Chrome Legacy collection at the Hunan TV Spring Festival Gala represents a beautiful convergence of fashion and entertainment. The collection's philosophy—that craft is a bridge between memory, ritual, and imagination—found its perfect expression in a performance that blended tradition with innovation, heartfelt sincerity with high-energy entertainment.
Shop the Chrome Legacy Collection
Ready to make a statement like Liu Yuning? The Futures of the Past: Chrome Legacy collection is now available at SHAO, a label for people who move between worlds and expect their clothing to keep up.
The collection brings together sharp tailoring, glitter-dusted checks, chrome finishes, and bold silhouettes that span imagined decades from the 1970s to 2070s. Each piece tells a story of cultural memory meeting futuristic vision, crafted with the precision of bespoke heritage and the energy of contemporary streetwear.
Whether you're commanding the stage or making an entrance at your next event, SHAO's Chrome Legacy collection offers luxury streetwear so fresh, the spotlight follows it.
