Simu Liu, known for his role in the Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, took to social media on February 26 to educate his followers about the correct pronunciation of his name. The actor, who currently stars in Avengers: Doomsday, addressed frequent mispronunciations and offered a detailed explanation on his Instagram and TikTok pages.
Challenges with Pronouncing Liu Explained by the Actor
Liu acknowledged that his last name can be
very difficult for most people to say,
especially in communities outside of Asian environments. He shared that many people with the surname Liu often simplify it to “Lu” for ease, stating,
I feel like a lot of Lius grew up in non-Asian environments and they went by ‘Lu’ for simplicity’s sake because that’s even easier to say and it’s better than nothing, right?
However, he made a clear distinction between the two names, adding,
But if you really want to get technical with it, Lu and Liu are two different Chinese last names,
and further emphasized the importance of pronouncing his first name correctly:
… in case you care, in case you want to make an effort and get it right. Either is fine. My name, though, is Simu, and you should definitely get that right, you bitches.
In his caption accompanying the video, Liu responded to a viral trend by writing,
If you’re gonna claim to be in a Chinese era of your life then you should learn the proper pronunciation of LIU 👍.
Background and Personal History of Simu Liu
Simu Liu was born in Harbin, China, to parents Zhenning and Zheng Liu. When he was four years old, he moved to Canada to join his parents, who had relocated earlier to pursue graduate studies. Growing up in a multicultural environment has influenced how Liu views his cultural identity and the importance of name accuracy.
Support from Fellow Asian Artists and Celebrities
The video resonated with many, drawing positive reactions from Asian performers. Singer Laufey commented,
It’s 👏🏼not 👏🏼 that 👏🏼 hard 👏🏼,
showing encouragement for people attempting the pronunciation. Similarly, dancer and choreographer Karen S. Chuang expressed her support using a series of clapping emojis, 👏👏👏👏👏.
Simu Liu’s Current and Upcoming Projects
In addition to his activism regarding his name, Simu Liu continues to expand his career. He recently voiced a part in the animated film In Your Dreams and stars in Peacock’s series The Copenhagen Test. Fans can also look forward to his return as Shang-Chi in the upcoming December release Avengers: Doomsday.
At New York Comic Con in January, Liu shared updates about the much-anticipated Shang-Chi sequel, confirming the project is in development, though details remain limited. He told PEOPLE,
There’s not a whole lot to tease right now, other than I think I sound like a broken record at this point, but it is happening,
reflecting a calm and steady attitude toward the continuation of his Marvel Cinematic Universe journey.
The Importance of Correct Name Pronunciation in Cultural Identity
Simu Liu’s effort to clarify the pronunciation of his name highlights a broader issue faced by many individuals with non-Western names living outside their native cultures. By sharing this message, Liu encourages respect for cultural nuances and promotes a more accurate understanding of Asian names in popular media and daily interactions. His message serves as a reminder that taking the time to learn the proper pronunciation can be a meaningful gesture of recognition and inclusion.
