Expanding horizons

Another fan comments: "The show sends a message that you can shine at any stage of your life as long as you never stop trying and learning."

Li says he finds the experience of being on the show very rewarding. "I live in a circle where most people I work with are dancers and choreographers. The reality show allows me to learn about other art forms and make new friends."

One day, he talked to Mc Hotdog, a veteran rapper, on the show as Li wanted to learn to rap with him.

"I surprised myself because I knew nothing about rap before," Li says. "I wanted to break my conventional stage image and I am glad I did it."

Born and raised in Jilin province, Li learned to practice basic skills of traditional dance at the age of 4 and his talent was recognized by his family, who supported him to further his study of dance.

In 2012, he got a degree in traditional Chinese dance from the College of Military Culture of the China People's Liberation Army National Defence University (formerly the People's Liberation Army Academy of Art).

He won a number of awards, including the Taoli Cup and Lotus Award, both top dance awards in China, and has gained a fan base by performing solo dances at the annual China Central Television Spring Festival galas, the country's most-watched TV program.

In 2020, he appeared on a talent show, Dance Smash, where Li impressed the audience with his choreography skills. His dance piece, Xingzhe (The Walker), of just 88 seconds about a lonely yet determined dancer, was staged in that competition.

Li says many Chinese dancers were "considered just backdrops performing behind pop stars" and that for a long time, their artistic value was underestimated.

"It has always been my goal to showcase the charm and power of the art form," he says. "Chinese audiences prefer watching TV or online coverage of performances instead of going to theaters to appreciate dance. But I know there's a wider audience waiting out there."