Li Xueqin (comedian)

Li Xueqin is a native of Tieling, Liaoning Province. Her parents divorced when she was in junior high school. She attended the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University, where she first began to struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts. After graduating, she attended New York University to study for a master's in education. However, she had trouble adjusting to life in the United States and felt deeply lonely. During this period, she fell into a deep depression and tried to commit suicide.[1][2] Because of this, she dropped out of her program and returned to China, where she worked to support her family, at one point washing dishes at a bar. She eventually started a business with a friend and began to make short videos on Douyin and Weibo, which led to the beginning of her comedy career.[1][2]

Li Xueqin first gained internet fame in 2018. She created a series of videos in which she jokingly introduced local landmarks to her favorite celebrity, Kris Wu. Wu responded to a video, causing her to go viral overnight.[2][1] She became the most-searched topic on Weibo, and other celebrities such as Guo Ailun and Robin Li responded to her other videos. Li was first invited to perform on Rock&Roast in 2019, but declined as she didn't have any experience performing standup. When she was invited again, she decided to appear because of the economic uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic. She learned how to write standup comedy by reading a book, Greg Dean's Step to Step to Stand-Up Comedy.[3] She finished in fifth place on the show, and was noted as one of a cohort of female comedians to reach the final six of that season.[4]

Li Xueqin frequently appears on variety shows in China. She is currently in the process of producing a TV sitcom.[3]