Actor Liu Kaiwei has publicly confirmed his relationship with Li Jijun, the confirmation coming just four days after they were first photographed together. The couple has since been seen together at multiple public events, including a birthday party, a costume party, and the Hong Kong Open tennis tournament, their interactions often showing clear signs of affection. The announcement, which has drawn significant media attention, has also reignited public discussion about Liu’s past marriage to actress Yang Mi, according to a report by Wenxue City.
The confirmation of Liu Kaiwei and Li Jijun’s relationship marks a swift end to speculation that began in mid-October. Wenxue City reported that the two have been open about their new relationship, frequently appearing in public without attempting to hide their connection.
Public Appearances and Affirmation
The confirmation was solidified with the circulation of photos from Li Jijun’s birthday party on the evening of November 3. The images, shared on her Instagram Story, showed Liu Kaiwi embracing Li from behind, his chest against her back, his chin resting on the brim of her hat. In another photo from the same event, the two were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on a sofa, seemingly engrossed in a video game, appearing relaxed and comfortable as a typical couple would. The party also included other guests such as Joey Yung and Hsiao Wei-chen.
Looking back at the timeline of their relationship, media outlets reported that Hong Kong paparazzi first spotted the couple together on October 16 in Kowloon Bay. They were photographed leaving a tennis court, holding hands without any attempt to hide their interaction. Liu was also seen carrying Li’s backpack over his shoulder before the two entered a budget-friendly rice noodle shop, sharing a single bowl of food.
The public acknowledgment of their relationship came just four days after these initial photos were published. Liu Kaiwi confirmed the relationship, stating that they met through playing tennis, share common interests, and are both simple people with nothing to hide. Li Jijun’s response was similar, noting that their relationship began naturally on the tennis court and that they are very happy together.
A New Era for Celebrity Relationships
This direct and rapid confirmation of a relationship differs from how celebrities typically acted in the past. Historically, when public figures were photographed together, they often chose to either deny the relationship or remain silent for an extended period, sometimes for over a year. The swift and open acknowledgment by Liu and Li Jijun reflects a more contemporary approach to public relationships.
Following their public confirmation, the couple has continued to appear in public together without trying to conceal their relationship. On October 31, for Halloween, they attended a costume party with a group of tennis friends. Liu wore a white shirt with a red and yellow striped tie, while Li wore a baseball cap and a gray pleated skirt, looking like a student couple. Photos from the event showed Liu kneeling behind Li with his arms around her waist, and another with his hand gently on her shoulder.
On November 4, the couple was again seen together, this time at the Hong Kong Open. They were sitting side-by-side in the stands, taking selfies with their phones. Liu was seen with his hand on Li’s shoulder, neither wearing a mask nor a hat, appearing completely at ease and unfazed by the surrounding attention.
Yang Mi’s Lingering Presence
The announcement of Liu Kaiwei’s new relationship inevitably brought his ex-wife, Yang Mi, back into the public conversation. When the news of Liu’s new relationship went viral and became a trending topic online, the top comment sections were not filled with congratulations. Instead, many posts focused on Yang Mi’s career achievements and endorsements.
Public discussions on social media highlighted Yang Mi’s professional success. It was noted that in 2026, she won the CMG CCTV TV Drama Award for Best Actress for her role as Ning Xiuxiu in the series “Sheng Wanwu.” This was her first major television award in 13 years, following her previous win at the Golden Eagle Awards in 2013. Reports also indicated she holds 26 endorsements, and the viewership peak for “Sheng Wanwu” exceeded 4.
This tendency to compare the lives of former partners, especially a divorced couple, whenever one has a new development is a recurring theme in public discourse. When Liu’s news broke, old interviews from both individuals were resurrected for scrutiny. In one interview, when asked to describe Yang Mi’s role in their home using the terms “queen,” “princess,” “butler,” or “nanny,” Liu had chosen “nanny,” a comment that had previously been circulated online in 2022. In another interview, he had described Yang Mi’s career as leaning towards commercial value and idol status, while his own preference was for a more artistic path. Yang Mi later responded directly to this characterization in an interview with Yi Li-jing, stating, “I disagree,” and emphasizing that they each had their own methods and fields and that there was nothing to compare.
While not all commentary was focused on comparison, some expressed support for Liu moving on. “It’s good that he’s finally let go. Middle-aged people should have their own new life. It’s nice they have a shared hobby like tennis,” one comment read. However, Yang Mi was not immune to the public’s reactions. After she posted a photo of herself leaning on a friend’s shoulder in Paris, her comments section quickly turned into a battleground, with some suggesting she was trying to prove her charm in response to her ex-husband’s new relationship.
Despite the online chatter, Yang Mi has not publicly addressed the situation. She continues to focus on her professional commitments, attending fashion shows, filming, and giving interviews about her work and roles, rarely discussing her personal life. The public discourse, while not directly involving her, continues to create a significant impact.
Resurfacing of Custody Rumors
A more impactful development than the online commentary was the resurgence of long-standing rumors regarding the custody of Liu and Yang Mi’s daughter, “Xiao Nuo Mi.” While many may have forgotten the specifics of the marriage timeline, the facts are clear: Liu and Yang Mi began their high-profile relationship in 2012, married in Bali in early 2014, and their daughter was born in Hong Kong in June of the same year. They announced their divorce in December 2018, stating they would raise their daughter together.
The recent confirmation of Liu’s new relationship has brought back a persistent rumor that a secret agreement was signed during their divorce. This alleged stipulated that if Liu were to remarry, custody of their daughter would immediately be transferred to Yang Mi. Previously, this was considered an unfounded rumor. However, with Liu’s new relationship making remarriage a near possibility, the rumor has resurfaced as a tangible concern for some. Online commenters even urged Yang Mi to “use the agreement” and “bring Xiao Nuo Mi back,” treating the rumor as a confirmed fact.
Liu Kaiwei’s father, Liu Dan, responded to the circulating rumors with rare emotional intensity. His statement, as reported, was direct: “This is completely baseless and all false news.” The actual living arrangements for their daughter have reportedly remained consistent since the divorce. Xiao Nuo Mi has continued to live in Hong Kong, with her daily care primarily handled by her grandparents, Liu Dan and his wife.
Ultimately, regardless of past disputes, the parties involved are now bound solely by their shared identity as parents to Xiao Nuo Mi. The most beneficial outcome for all concerned is for each to find peace and move forward separately.
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