Ling Yi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Ling Yi (凌奕)
Species/Race	Human; Chinese
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Tianguang Entertainment; TOP
Occupation/Role	Idol trainee, TOP's main dancer and rapper; later an actor
First Appearance	Chapter 27

Background / History

Ling Yi grew up in South Korea with his parents and returned to China only shortly before joining Tianguang Entertainment. Though Chinese, he initially struggles to speak Mandarin fluently. Before returning, he trained at GG in South Korea for four years. 27 45

In Cheng Yu's memories of his previous life, Ling Yi had become C&C Jewelry's first spokesperson after leaving dance behind for acting. His white-shirt-and-ripped-jeans campaign for the brand's ruby collection increased that month's sales by 3,000%, leading C&C to renew his endorsement for five years. 28

Cheng Yu encounters Ling Yi as a Tianguang trainee and selects him for the Shining Stars project despite the company's intention to hold him back for another year. Cheng Yu appoints him TOP's main dancer; Ling Yi then recommends Qing Chen as their third member. 27

Appearance

Ling Yi has a cool, restrained presence and is described as an aloof, handsome idol type. His temperament resembles Cheng Yu's enough for others to worry that their public images may overlap, though Ling Yi lacks Cheng Yu's intimidating force. 27

• Long fingers. 27
• Usually quiet and expressionless when nervous or uncertain. 27
• His styling was redesigned by Cheng Yu away from the company's emo-inspired trainee look. 28
• His visual image was previously considered a strong fit for high-end jewelry campaigns. 28

Personality

Ling Yi is initially nervous, reserved, and easily overwhelmed in unfamiliar social situations, particularly when Mandarin prevents him from expressing himself fully. He nevertheless responds earnestly to instruction and works hard to improve. 27 58

Onstage, his demeanor changes sharply: once he finds the beat, he performs with confidence and strong presence. He admires Cheng Yu's ability and follows his guidance closely, but gradually becomes capable of voicing his own choreographic ideas and leading others. 28 58

He is loyal and protective toward Cheng Yu. Alongside Qing Chen, he shields Cheng Yu from Feng Yiyi's attempts to approach him during Let's Travel Together, even while visibly embarrassed by the attention. 93

Abilities & Skills

Dance

Ling Yi is TOP's main dancer, with a strong professional foundation in hip-hop and the ability to freestyle smoothly and precisely to the beat. 27 28

• Trained as a GG trainee in South Korea for four years. 45
• Has competed professionally in dance and earned rankings. 28
• Can adapt to multiple dance styles and was considered capable of challenging other trainees in their own specialties. 58
• Teaches choreography patiently, breaking down movements and correcting other trainees' poses and positioning. 54
• Requires continued training in advanced movements; Cheng Yu warns that attempting difficult balance-based moves without the proper foundation could cause serious injury. 28

Rap

Ling Yi serves as TOP's rapper, handling the rap sections of the group's performance material. His rap style reflects his South Korean trainee background. 35 45

• His rap is considered competent enough for his designated group role. 27
• During a stage equipment failure, he initially stops when the backing track cuts out; Cheng Yu's beatboxing allows the performance to continue. 90

Choreography and Team Leadership

Although initially hesitant as a captain because of the language barrier, Ling Yi can choreograph effectively once given support and authority. 57 58

• Creates a group routine that incorporates each member's individual strengths rather than forcing a single style. 58
• Earns participation from previously uncooperative teammates after Cheng Yu supports his authority. 58
• Is able to communicate and execute choreography more confidently over time. 58

Languages

• Speaks Korean fluently enough to use it instinctively in conversation. 27
• Initially has limited Mandarin fluency, which makes him anxious and hinders him in disputes. 27 57
• Learns practical F Country language phrases with Qing Chen under Cheng Yu's instruction. 93

Career

TOP and *Shining Stars*

Ling Yi joins Cheng Yu and Qing Chen in TOP after Cheng Yu personally chooses him as a teammate. He is positioned as the group's main dancer and rapper, while Qing Chen serves as lead vocalist. 27 35

TOP trains intensively for Shining Stars, with Cheng Yu supervising their choreography, styling, and stage presentation. Ling Yi and Qing Chen initially defer heavily to Cheng Yu, but their performance skills and professionalism establish TOP as one of Tianguang Entertainment's strongest groups. 28 36

During the program, Ling Yi helps teach Class A trainees the theme-song choreography, demonstrating movements step by step while Qing Chen records and corrects mistakes. 54

Acting and Variety Shows

Ling Yi accompanies Cheng Yu and Qing Chen on Let's Travel Together. While diligent and cooperative, he and Qing Chen are judged to lack instinctive variety-show presence compared with Cheng Yu. 93 94

He later enters acting alongside Qing Chen through Tianguang Entertainment's drama plans and auditions for Starry Love. Cheng Yu uses his investment influence to improve both teammates' roles in the production. 106 107

Relationships

• Cheng Yu — Teammate, mentor, and protector. Cheng Yu selects Ling Yi for TOP, supports his authority as a captain, and consistently secures resources and opportunities for him. Ling Yi addresses him as “Brother Yu.” 27 58 144
• Qing Chen — Close friend and fellow TOP member. They knew one another through a street-dance competition, entered Tianguang Entertainment together, and regularly practiced together before TOP was formed. 27
• Zhu Jianxin — TOP's manager. Zhu Jianxin explains Ling Yi's overseas background to Cheng Yu and later manages the group’s arrangements. 27 31
• Cheng Tianguang — President of Tianguang Entertainment. He approves Ling Yi's participation in Shining Stars after Cheng Yu insists on choosing him. 27
• Feng Yiyi — Fellow variety-show guest. Ling Yi and Qing Chen deliberately position themselves beside Cheng Yu to prevent her from using him for publicity. 93

Trivia

• Ling Yi believes eating chocolate before evaluations brings good luck, a superstition he developed after watching a film as a child. 55
• He was seventeen when Cheng Shao met TOP's members. 35
• Cheng Yu's prior-life plans for Ling Yi included a co-branded C&C Jewelry collection, but the plan was never completed before Cheng Yu became ill. 28
• Cheng Yu spends more than a year having Ling Yi and Qing Chen wear Caroline couture at public events before successfully arranging for them to become the brand's Chinese spokespersons. 144