Shang-Chi Star Simu Liu Criticized By Chinese As 'Too Ugly' To Play Marvel’s New Hero

Marvel fans have been celebrating Marvel Studio's decision to cast Kim's Convenience star Simu Liu as the lead star of Phase 4's Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Not only has Liu's genuine eagerness to become Marvel's Shang-Chi wowed the fanbase, but everyone's loving the actor's wit and self-deprecating humor.

However, it seems like there are some who aren't too happy that Liu is Marvel new Shang-Chi. While the Western market think that Liu's pretty easy on the eyes, people in China are complaining that the actor isn't attractive enough for the part.

Asian Boss just recently posted a video where the YouTube channel's reporters go out on the streets, and in it, Marvel fans see people in Beijing complain about Liu's looks. According to the news channel, Shang-Chi star Liu and Awkwafina were both considered "very ugly" on social media in China, and interviews with people on the street of Beijing seemed to confirm the bias.

The reporter from Asian Boss went around asking different people on the street to grade Liu's look, and while one woman called the actor "quite handsome," most would give him average scores like 6 because they don't really think "he's considered handsome by Chinese standards."

The actor even got a pretty low score of 3.5 because his looks made him seem "old" and "old-fashioned." Some interviewees were even surprised and "disappointed" to learn that Liu had been cast for a big movie like Shang-Chi saying that China has more handsome actors for the role.

While these comments might come as a surprise to Marvel fans, readers have to know that there major cultural differences that affect these responses – like Korea, Chinese society can tend to be pretty critical when it comes to appearances.

Hopefully, the Chinese market might change its mind when promotion for Shang-Chi begins.

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is set for release on February 12, 2021.

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