Former Actor Cries Over Multi-Million Dollar Debt, Frugal Lifestyle

Even celebrities can be saddled with huge debts.

Actor Li Yapeng‘s ongoing struggles have earned him some sympathy from netizens.

Li Yapeng is a Chinese actor who appeared in several drama series but retired in 2011 after his final project, a film titled Eternal Moment.

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After the film’s release, the former actor entered the Cheung Kong Graduate School Of Business, aiming to focus on his business career. In 2012, the actor’s company reportedly entered a business deal with an investment company, receiving an investment of around 8.35 million USD.

In 2015, Li reportedly transferred his shares in the company and withdrew his investments, resulting in a 5.56 million USD compensation owed to the investment company. After this amount was not paid, Yapeng, his brother, and the company were sued with the ruling stipulating that he needed to pay the compensation, interest, and court fees.

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Li Yapeng | China Story

As a result, the actor has been living what is described as a “frugal” lifestyle, earning money through livestream sales.

It was previously reported that the star had his spending restricted by the court when he couldn’t use a first-class flight ticket his assistant had purchased, forcing him to take an eleven-hour train ride home.

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During a live stream in late February, the former actor lamented his struggles living in debt for over ten years. The actor reportedly burst into tears, discussing how he had ordered takeaway for more than five days and constantly working with little sleep.

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However, he shared that he is steadfast in working to repay his debt, earning sympathy from watchers who gifted around 417 USD.

The debt has not been cleared and there’s still a lot to pay, so I will keep making money to repay it.

— Li Yapeng

Li was previously married to Faye Wong, a famous Cantopop singer, but has since married a model 19 years younger than him.

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