Will Liu Keng-hung, a singer-turned-fitness instructor, accepts an interview with China Daily in Macao on Feb 24, 2024. (LI XIANG / CHINA DAILY)

Will Liu Keng-hung, a singer-turned-fitness instructor, will hold the world’s first offline fitness concert during the summer vacation this year, combining the fun of music and exercise.  

Speaking to China Daily on the sidelines of the GBA International Sports Business Summit in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Liu said diversity is key to providing richer and more professional content to livestream viewers. 

Liu said that companionship is important in terms of doing workouts, and people still can watch a livestream or replay the video to feel the companionship when exercising despite the return to normalcy after the pandemic.

The 51-year-old singer from Taiwan rose to fame on Douyin, the Chinese mainland version of TikTok, by doing workouts to the tune of his friend Jay Chou’s music during the COVID-19 pandemic, with most people forced to stay at home and binged on watching short videos on platforms like Douyin. Many of Liu’s followers called themselves “Liu Keng-hung girls”.

“Just image this? Who works out at a music concert? Only us,” said Liu.

It’s not known where his concert will be held. There would be a standup zone where members of the audience can follow his moves at the show which, Liu said, would give them an unusual experience.

Liu was attending the GBA international sports business summit as a guest of the two-day event, which began on Friday. Prominent sports personalities and KOLs (key opinion leaders) were also invited, including Hui Ruoqi, a retired captain of China’s national women's volleyball team, and Dwyane Wade, a former NBA basketball player, to share their ideas in the development of the sports industry.  

"As long as people in the GBA welcome me, I’m willing to hold events here in the future”, Liu said. “I believe a live experience of such a concert will definitely make the audience feel better and will give a different feeling after they return home and watch my livestreaming again.”

He believes the key to his fame is his way of interacting with the audience, rather than performing like an exercise machine. “Just like a friend who interacts and cares about you, taking you to the gym and sharing some trivial affairs with you.”  

Thanks to the social-distancing measures enforced during the pandemic, Liu’s followers snowballed. Liu knew that companionship is important in terms of doing workouts, and people still can watch a livestream or replay the video to feel the companionship when exercising despite the return to normalcy after the pandemic.

On the potential of the livestreaming industry, Liu believes that the content should be continuously updated, and there should be enough variability. Facing millions or even tens of millions of viewers at the other end of the phones, Liu said a single form of content can’t suit them all. 

He anticipates futuristic livestreaming, aided by the development of technology, to allow better and deeper immersive interaction between the host and the audience.

Li Xiang contributed to this story

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com