An Qi, known to some as Babymonster An , once stepped onto the stage of Youth With You 2 as a fierce, street-style performer with solid hip-hop roots and battle-tested dance skills. Back then, she was celebrated as one of the few true all-rounders in the show—strong in dance, capable in vocals and rap, and praised for her confident stage presence.
Even Lisa (BLACKPINK), serving as a mentor, publicly admired her energy and artistry on-screen, a rarity in the usually tight-lipped judging environment.
So how did An Qi, once sixth-place finalist in the ultra-popular THE9, end up in complete media silence?
The Rise, Then the Plateau
An Qi’s career seemed promising at first. While her debut with THE9 gave her a national platform, she was quickly overshadowed by flashier personalities like Esther Yu, Kiki Xu (Xu Jiaqi), and Liu Yuxin, whose personal branding—whether quirky, fashionable, or gender-fluid—won over media and fans alike.
An Qi, while respected for her skill, never quite became a media darling. With no polarizing backstory, viral meme moment, or scandal to keep her name in circulation, she was quietly categorized as technically solid but publicly lukewarm.
The Post-THE9 Struggle
Following THE9’s disbandment, An Qi attempted a solo music career, releasing several tracks and EPs— Problem, No One Else, Anarchy, Now or Never, Fire, Licorice —but none managed to chart, trend, or trigger buzz. Most disappeared without a trace.
Without a strong management team, image overhaul, or consistent marketing push, An Qi’s efforts seemed to lack the visibility needed in China’s hypercompetitive idol scene.
Even as she continued to release music, there were:
- No major endorsements
- No variety show appearances
- No live stages with media pickup
- No viral fan content
From late 2020 onward, not a single major entertainment outlet reported on her releases. She became a ghost in the machine—still there, still trying, but invisible.
A Cautionary Tale in C-Pop
An Qi’s case underscores the harsh realities of the Chinese entertainment industry. Talent alone isn’t enough. Without the right storytelling, media strategy, and fan culture engagement, even skilled artists risk vanishing from public consciousness.
She has no scandals, no controversies—yet no visibility either. In an age where attention is currency, neutrality is its own kind of risk.
An Qi’s career reminds us that while the stage may give you a moment, sustaining relevance in the long term demands much more—narratives, reinvention, and noise.
Sources: Kenh14, Weibo, iQIYI