Yuan Mengmeng earns praise for teaching and kindness
A university lecturer has captured the attention of millions online, not just for her academic credentials, but for her striking resemblance to beloved Chinese actress Crystal Liu Yifei.
Yuan Mengmeng, a logic teacher at Huainan Normal University in eastern Anhui province, became an internet sensation after students began sharing video clips of her lectures in mid-April.
The videos, showcasing Yuan engaged in teaching, quickly spread across social media platforms, with many viewers marveling at her similarity to Liu Yifei, the 37-year-old star known affectionately in China as “fairy sister” for her elegant appearance and temperament.
Liu gained international recognition for her lead role in Disney’s live-action Mulan and has recently starred in popular Chinese TV dramas like The Tale of Rose and A Dream of Splendor.
Students were among the first to draw comparisons, describing Yuan as tall and slim with pale skin and sculpted facial features, including a nose shape similar to the actress’s. However, they said their admiration extends far beyond physical appearance.
“Our teacher is very pretty. She is like Liu Yifei in spirit,” commented one student online. “All of us have been raising our heads to look at her throughout the class.”
Beyond the visual comparisons, students highlighted Yuan’s engaging teaching style and personal kindness. “I am intrigued by the subject of logic thanks to our teacher’s teaching,” shared another student. “She often buys us snacks. We all like her.”
The popularity of Yuan’s logic class is evident, with students noting the lecture hall is consistently packed.
“The classroom is always full,” affirmed a third student. “She is gentle and polite. Good appearance is the least thing she is proud of. Please do not make negative comments about this extraordinary teacher due to her looks.”
Yuan, who reportedly holds a PhD from a prominent Russian university, expressed surprise at her sudden online fame. “I suddenly became the subject of a most sought-after topic on the internet,” she told Chao News, adding humbly, “But I do not think I am a doppelgänger for Liu Yifei.”
The viral phenomenon has generated significant online discussion, attracting over 7 million views on one social media platform alone. Public commentary ranged from analytical (“Side-on, she bears a strong resemblance to Liu, but not so much from the front”) to humorous (“If my teacher was a Liu Yifei lookalike, I would be the best student in school”).
The comparisons arise at a time when Liu Yifei herself remains a major, albeit sometimes controversial, figure in China. Her US citizenship, held since emigrating at age 10, recently led to her exclusion from eligibility for the prestigious China TV Golden Eagle Award, despite her leading roles in nominated series.
Nevertheless, for Yuan Mengmeng, the viral attention has primarily highlighted the positive impact she has on her students, who value her dedication and warmth just as much, if not more, than her resemblance to a famous actress.
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