Chinese actress Li Keyi (Sylph) has emerged as the most dominant figure in the short film market, achieving a record-breaking year starring as the female lead in 29 productions throughout 2025.
According to Chinese media outlet 163, while actress Guo Yuxin initially attracted attention with her short drama film Summer Rose, which surpassed 3 billion views in just 18 days, year-end industry rankings eventually crowned Li Keyi as the true “Queen of Short Films.” In less than two years, Li Keyi has emerged from obscurity to become what many now describe as a “new force” sweeping across the short-form theater industry.
Born in 2000, Li Keyi graduated from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. Her acting journey began unexpectedly in 2023, when a friend invited her to participate in a short drama project. That single opportunity marked the beginning of his meteoric rise.
Li Keyi appeared in just one short drama in 2023, followed by eight projects in 2024. However, 2025 proved to be her breakthrough year, as she took on leading roles in as many as 29 short dramas. Many of these productions have registered between 2 and 3 billion views each, cementing her status as the genre’s top actress.
Her most successful project to date is the series The 18-Year-Old Grandma Arrives, Restoring Family Glory, which has amassed a staggering 12 billion views. The first episode alone surpassed 5 billion views, making it the most viewed short film in the history of the Hongguo platform. Thanks to this success, Li Keyi has become the actress with the most cumulative short film views in 2025, as well as the performer with the most titles exceeding 100 million views on the platform.
Li Keyi’s popularity increased rapidly on social media and streaming platforms. She currently boasts 2.5 million followers on Hongguo, making her the most followed actress on the platform. She was also the first to surpass both 1 million and 2 million followers. On Douyin, Li Keyi has amassed 4.85 million fans, ranking her as the most followed actress in the short drama category.
Its commercial success was accompanied by industry recognition. Li Keyi won the Short Drama Actress of the Year award from iQIYI and was selected in November 2025 as one of the Outstanding Young Actors at the Great Sea of Stars 2025 program. Chinese media praised her performances as “a rare blend of youthful energy and mature, refined presence.”
Despite a lack of formal training in acting, Li Keyi has earned praise for her natural acting style and remarkable adaptability. Although she is often described as having a sweet and youthful appearance, she has proven capable of convincingly portraying cold, authoritative and even elderly characters. Notably, she impressed audiences by playing middle-aged and elderly roles in The 18-Year-Old Grandma Arrives, Restoring Family Glory, despite her young age.
According to 163, Li Keyi is known for her calm and introverted personality on set, constantly showing a strong willingness to learn and improve. At just 26 years old, her poise and professionalism set her apart from many of her peers. The fast-paced nature of short-form drama production, usually shot in 7-15 days, requires actors to quickly immerse themselves in their characters, a challenge that Li Keyi handled with ease.
With her delicate visuals, versatile acting range and unmatched productivity, Li Keyi is widely regarded as one of the most promising new stars in Chinese entertainment. As the short film market continues to expand, its reign at the top shows no signs of slowing.
Sources: 163
