Qiknown to some as Babymonster An, once took the stage at Youth with you 2 as a fierce street performer with solid hip-hop roots and battle-tested dance skills. Back then it was celebrated as one of the few true ones all-rounder in entertainment: strong in dance, capable in voice and rap, and praised for her confident stage presence.
Also Lisa (ROSANERA)as a mentor, he publicly admired her energy and artistry on screen, a rarity in the usually tight-lipped judging world.
So how did it go A Qi, once a sixth place finalist in the ultra-popular IL9end up inside complete media silence?
The ascent, then the plateau
An Qi’s career seemed promising at first. While his debut with IL9 gave her a national platform, she was quickly overshadowed by more flamboyant personalities like Esther Yu, Kiki Xu (Xu Jiaqi) and Liu Yuxin, whose personal brand, whether quirky, hip or gender-fluid, won over media and fans alike.
A Qi, while respected for its ability, never fully became one average, dear. With no polarizing backstory, viral meme moments, or scandals to keep her name in circulation, she was comfortably classified as technically solid but publicly lukewarm.
The post-THE9 struggle
Following IL9the dissolution, Qi attempted a solo musical career, releasing several songs and EPs— Problem, Nobody else, Anarchy, Now or never, Fire, Licorice -But no one managed to chart, trend or trigger buzz. Most disappeared without a trace.
Without a strong management team, image overhaul, or consistent marketing push, An Qi’s efforts seemed to lack the visibility needed in China’s hypercompetitive idol scene.
Even as he continued to release music, there were:
- No major approvals
- No appearances on variety shows
- No live stage with media library
- No viral fan content
From the end of 2020 onwards, not a single great entertainment outlet reported his liberations. It has become one ghost in the car– still there, still trying, but invisible.
A word of warning in C-Pop
An Qi’s case highlights the harsh reality of China’s entertainment industry. Talent alone is not enough. Without the right storytelling, media strategy and engagement in fan culture, even the most accomplished artists risk disappearing from the public consciousness.
It has no scandals, no controversies, but no visibility either. In an age where attention is the currency, neutrality is its own kind of risk.
An Qi’s career reminds us of this the stage might give you a momentsustaining long-term relevance requires much more: narratives, reinvention, and noise.
Sources: Kenh14, Weibo, iQIYI
