The trajectory of a professional life is rarely a straight line, but for Liu Jiarong, it has been a series of dramatic peaks and valleys. From the gritty reality of a local pork stall to the executive suite of a television station, and now into the recording studio, Liu Jiarong’s career transition serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of business and the persistence required to rebuild from the ground up.
Currently serving as the CEO of Dali TV, Liu has recently stepped into the spotlight as a “rookie singer” with the release of his new album, “Liu Sheng Liu Sheng.” However, behind the polished image of a media executive lies a history of significant financial hardship and a humbling return to his family’s roots to survive.
Liu’s journey is characterized by a willingness to pivot when failure strikes. His path has seen him move from being a high-performing salesman to a failed businessman, then to a television station owner, and finally to a musician—a sequence of roles that Liu himself describes as resembling the dramatic plots of a television soap opera.
From Debt to the Pork Stall: A Lesson in Humility
Not all of Liu’s ventures ended in success. At one point in his life, Liu faced a crushing financial crisis, accumulating a debt of 20 million. This financial collapse forced a drastic change in lifestyle and profession, leading him to return to his family’s ancestral business: selling pork at a traditional market.
The transition from the pursuit of corporate or entertainment success to the manual labor of a pork stall was a pivotal moment of recovery. By returning to the family business, Liu was able to navigate the pressures of his debt while grounding himself in the practicalities of trade. This period of his life highlights the gap between the perceived glamour of the media world and the raw effort required to settle significant financial obligations.
The Sales Warrior: Building the Foundation
Long before he managed a television station, Liu developed the communication skills that would later define his professional persona. His first job involved selling sets of books, a role that took him to the remote regions of Hualien. During this time, he lived frugally, staying at military guest houses for as little as 100 TWD a night.
Liu’s success in sales was driven by his ability to connect with people. He recalls pitching books to indigenous mothers, arguing that education was the only way for their children to create a better life and avoid the hardships of manual labor. His persuasive nature and eloquence allowed his sales figures to skyrocket, providing him with the early confidence and skill set necessary to eventually climb the corporate ladder to become a CEO at Dali TV.
The Duality of a CEO and Rookie Singer
Despite reaching the pinnacle of his professional career as a media executive, Liu recently attempted to venture into the music industry. The release of his album, “Liu Sheng Liu Sheng,” was intended to be a creative outlet, but the process revealed the harsh realities of the entertainment business.
Liu has been candid about the difficulties of this transition, noting that the process of producing an album is far more tedious than he anticipated. He revealed that the recording process was fraught with challenges, including a period where he had to record while battling a severe cold, relying on loquat syrup for three consecutive days to push through the sessions. Due to these health issues, he admits that some parts of the album required technological correction and believes his live performances are now superior to the recorded tracks.
Navigating the Media Circle
One of the most striking aspects of Liu’s current experience is the shift in power dynamics. While he holds the title of CEO within his own company, the broader Taiwanese media industry operates on a different set of rules. Liu describes himself as a “nobody” or “small fry” when it comes to music promotion.
He noted that the current media landscape often requires a “one-plus-one” strategy—pairing a low-profile artist with a high-profile star to gain visibility. This reality means that even as a television station boss, Liu must navigate complex networking webs and adhere to the schedules of others, sometimes waiting until 2:00 AM to accommodate recording or filming requirements.
Key Takeaways from Liu Jiarong’s Journey
- Resilience in Failure: Facing a debt of 20 million led to a return to the family pork business, demonstrating the importance of having a fallback and the humility to start over.
- The Power of Communication: Early experience in high-pressure sales in Hualien provided the foundational skills for his eventual ascent to executive leadership.
- The Reality of Industry Roles: Holding a high-ranking title (CEO) does not automatically grant influence in different sectors, such as the music industry, where fame and networking often outweigh corporate rank.
- Creative Exhaustion: The transition from executive management to artistic production (“Liu Sheng Liu Sheng”) highlighted the gap between the desire to create and the tedious reality of production.
Liu Jiarong’s story is one of extreme contrasts—from the quiet aisles of a pork market to the loud, demanding environment of a television studio. His admission that he “no longer wants to play” the game of album production suggests a return to focusing on his executive duties, having experienced the “cruel rules” of the media circle firsthand.
There are currently no further scheduled album releases or public filings regarding his business operations. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on the challenges of career pivoting in the comments below.