Li Ziqi, one of China’s most popular influencers, made a surprising comeback on Nov 12 after she stopped posting videos for over three years.
The 34-year-old resumed posting online with two new videos. They showed how she turned a shed into a woodland cloakroom and made wardrobe doors using Chinese lacquerware techniques, and were posted across social media platforms including Douyin, Sina Weibo and YouTube.
Despite not updating her content since July 14, 2021, Li has seen increases in the number of her followers as well as fans requesting new videos during her absence. Many had wondered where she was or whether she had retired.
After the new videos were posted, her followers quickly shot up to more than 26.7 million on Sina Weibo and 50.2 million on Douyin. Her YouTube channel has over 20.3 million subscribers.
Her lacquerware video garnered 120 million views on Sina Weibo in a day, with more than 1.94 million interactions, including shares, comments and “likes”.
Many people have flooded her comments section with messages of support, saying it was a surprise to see her posting again.
Li addressed her followers and subscribers, saying: “There is no time for me to write a small essay today. I will make it up to you when I am not that busy. Miss you.”
The Sichuan native shot to fame in 2016 after she posted short videos showing her traditional and idyllic lifestyle in China’s countryside on Sina Weibo.
Her overseas followers have praised her poetic portrayals of rural life, traditional cooking techniques and cultural practices, such as making ink and clothing.
In 2020, she set a Guinness World Record for the most subscribers on a Chinese-language YouTube channel, with 11.4 million followers then. – China Daily/Asia News Network
