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Actor Simu Liu addressed the common mispronunciations of his name in a video he shared on his Instagram and TikTok accounts on Thursday, February 26. The star of the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” is using his platform to teach fans the proper way to say “Simu Liu name pronunciation,” emphasizing the importance of accuracy amid a viral trend related to Chinese culture.
The Challenge of Pronouncing Liu and Why It Matters
Liu explained that his last name is often difficult for many people to say. He noted,
“very difficult for most people to say,”
and acknowledged that many individuals with the surname Liu who grew up outside Asian environments 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 clarified the distinction between the names, adding,
“But if you really want to get technical with it, Lu and Liu are two different Chinese last names,”
before confirming his own preference:
“… 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 the caption accompanying his video, Liu challenged those embracing Chinese culture trends online, urging,
“If you’re gonna claim to be in a Chinese era of your life then you should learn the proper pronunciation of LIU 👍.”
Background on Simu Liu’s Life and Heritage
Born in Harbin, China, Simu Liu is the son of Zhenning and Zheng Liu. His parents moved to Canada to pursue graduate studies, and Liu joined them there when he was four years old. This bicultural upbringing has influenced his connection to both Chinese and Canadian identities, shaping how he views the importance of honoring cultural accuracy, including how his name is pronounced.
Support from Peers and Fellow Performers
Liu’s video resonated with many followers, including notable Asian descent artists. Singer Laufey commented on the post,

“It’s 👏🏼not 👏🏼 that 👏🏼 hard 👏🏼,”
while dancer and choreographer Karen S. Chuang expressed her encouragement with a series of clapping hand emojis, 👏👏👏👏👏. Their responses underline the shared sentiment about respecting cultural pronunciation and identity.
Simu Liu’s Career and Upcoming Projects
Simu Liu recently lent his voice to the animated film “In Your Dreams” and stars in the Peacock series “The Copenhagen Test.” He is slated to reprise his role as Shang-Chi in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” scheduled for release this December. Speaking at New York Comic Con in January, Liu confirmed that a sequel to his breakthrough 2021 Marvel film
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”
is underway. Regarding the sequel, he commented,
“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.”
Importance of Correct Pronunciation and Cultural Respect
Simu Liu’s insistence on the correct pronunciation of his name highlights a broader conversation about cultural respect and authenticity. As his profile rises with major Marvel projects and growing public recognition, ensuring that his identity is accurately represented remains significant both personally and for the communities he represents. This effort also serves as a reminder of how cultural details, such as names, matter deeply within diaspora and global contexts.
