Hong Kong – Former actress Li Shanshan, speaking at a mental health forum hosted by Hong Kong Shue Yan University on Tuesday, revealed that after years of battling emotional turmoil, she is now pouring her energy into her online channel—and dreaming of a return to Seoul for a BigBang concert and a long-awaited film project.
Li, a familiar face in Hong Kong entertainment, appeared at the “Mental Health Day – The Healing Power of Sharing” seminar organized by the university’s Department of Counselling and Psychology. She candidly described her long struggle with mood disorders and said she now devotes “200 percent” of her effort to her YouTube channel, often working until 3 or 4 a.m. and waking by 9 a.m. “I’m not particularly interested in sleep,” she joked. “When my body hits its limit, it just shuts down.”
Two ‘Unlock Missions’ on the Horizon
Beyond her channel, Li has set her sights on two personal goals: attending a BigBang concert in South Korea and turning her own film script into a reality. She admitted she is not a travel enthusiast and finds even a trip to the airport exhausting. Her last leisure trip was a decade ago, when she flew to Seoul to see BigBang perform.
“Korean fans are incredibly organized,” Li recalled. “The queuing and timed entry systems were seamless, and buying merchandise was so convenient. I used to buy two of everything—one to use, one to collect. It brought me real joy.” She noted that despite already struggling with health issues at the time, her physical and mental state surprisingly held up during the trip.
The second “unlock mission” is far more ambitious: writing and producing her own film. Li revealed she has drafted several outlines covering genres from romance to horror, but the biggest challenge is condensing a story into just 600 words to convince investors. “Some veterans can do it, but I haven’t cracked the code yet,” she said.
She acknowledged that attaching her name to a screenplay might raise skepticism. “I want to master the skill of persuasion through brevity first,” she explained, “then take it step by step.” Given the tough film industry environment, she remains pragmatic: “I’ll let things unfold naturally. For now, my focus is on the channel. If I achieve financial freedom, I’ll revisit the script.”
Channel Growth and Emotional Resilience
Since launching her channel, “Three Mountains,” Li has invested herself fully, often working through the night. Despite the grueling schedule, she insists that anger is useless in the workplace. “I’m actually the most emotionally stable person on my team,” she said. “Losing your temper doesn’t solve problems. You just fix it or start over.”
For those struggling with insomnia, Li offered simple advice: don’t magnify it. “Your body will eventually force you to sleep. It’s about coexisting with your own limits,” she said.
Though the channel has not yet broken even, Li said recent online feedback has been heartening. One comment read, “The quality is there—it’s worth supporting now.” She reflected, “We can’t just sell nostalgia. At first, viewers came out of sympathy or curiosity about my comeback. Now they stay for the content. That’s what truly makes me happy.”
Broader Implications
Li’s story highlights a growing trend of Hong Kong celebrities using digital platforms to rebuild careers while openly addressing mental health struggles. Her emphasis on perseverance, emotional regulation, and incremental goals offers a relatable blueprint for those navigating personal or professional reinvention. For aspiring filmmakers and content creators, her advice is clear: master your craft, manage expectations, and let quality speak for itself.
