Li Qin (; born 27 September 1990) is a Chinese actress. Li is known for her roles in The Dream of Red Mansions (2010), White Deer Plain (2017), Princess Agents (2017), Joy of Life (2019), The Song of Glory (2020), The Wolf (2020), The Youth Memories (2023), War of Faith (2024), and Fated Hearts (2025).
Early life and education Li was born in Bacheng Town of Kunshan, Jiangsu, China. At the age of 11, Li studied Chinese traditional opera in Shipai Central School.
She graduated from the Affiliated Chinese Opera School of Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2008, majoring in kunqu.
Career 2010–2016: Debut and rising popularity Li first rose to prominence in 2010 for playing Xue Baochai in the television series The Dream of Red Mansions, based on the novel by the same name by Cao Xueqin. She won the Best New Actress award at the TVS Award Ceremony for her performance.
In 2011, Li made her film debut in The Founding of a Party, playing Yang Kaihui. She was nominated for the Best Newcomer Award at the 31st Hundred Flowers Awards. She again played Yang Kaihui in China in 1921, another patriotic tribute production.
In 2012, Li starred in the romantic melodrama television series The Watchful Sky, which won the Gold Angel Award at the 9th Sino-US Film Festival. In 2013, Li starred in romance dramas Shining Days and The Return of a Princess, both of which attained high ratings during their respective runs.
In 2014, Li starred in romance drama If I Love You, and was named the Most Promising Actress at the China TV Drama Awards for her performance. In 2015, Li starred in her first historical drama My Amazing Bride, playing a quirky and adorable heiress.
2017–present: Acclaim and transition to mainstream popularity In 2017, Li starred in the television adaptation of the classic novel White Deer Plain. Her performance as Tian Xiao'e was a "pitch-perfect illustration of a rural woman's miserable life" according to critics, and stood in sharp contrast to her previous performances as youthful and innocent characters. Li was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award at the Magnolia Awards for her performance. The same year, Li starred in the historical action drama Princess Agents, playing a princess of a befallen kingdom. The drama was a major success and led to increased popularity of Li. That year, Li entered Forbes China Celebrity 100 list for the first time, ranking 100th.
In 2018, Li was nominated at the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Yang Kaihui in the patriotic film The Founding of an Army. The same year, she played the role of Fragrant Concubine in the palace drama Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. Forbes China listed Li under their 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 list which consisted of 30 influential people under 30 years old who have had a substantial effect in their fields.
In 2019, Li played the female lead Lu Xueqi in the film adaptation of the xianxia novel Zhu Xian, titled Jade Dynasty. She then co-starred in the aviation disaster film The Captain as a flight attendant, and received the Best Supporting Actress award at the Gold Crane Awards held by the Tokyo International Film Festival. The same year, she starred in the historical political drama Joy of Life, and gained attention for her role as the drumstick lady.
In 2020, Li appeared in CCTV New Year's Gala for the first time, performing the song item "Hello 2020". The same year, she starred in the historical drama The Song of Glory as the daughter of a military family. She also starred in the comedy film Warm Hug. She ranked 72nd on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2020. Other activities
Endorsements In 2018, Li was selected as brand ambassador for cosmetics brand SK-II.
Since 2021, Italian luxury leather goods brand Furla has announced that Li will serve as the brand's spokesperson. In 2021, she was also become the first brand spokesperson for Laura Mercier Cosmetics in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2021, Li has been named as brand spokesperson for Forevermark, a luxury retail subsidiary brand of De Beers Group.
In September 2023, American clothing brand Tommy Hilfiger announced that Li would officially serve as brand ambassador in China, alongside Greg Hsu.
Filmography Film Year English title Chinese title Role Notes 2011 Mr. and Mrs. Incredible 神奇侠侣 Lan Fenghuang Distressed Thief 落难神偷 Li Manzhen The Founding of a Party 建党伟业 Yang Kaihui Guo Mingyi 郭明义 Guo Ruixue (young) 2012 Joyful Reunion 饮食男女 Bai Ping 2013 Amazing 神奇 Xiao Ke 2016 Never Gone 致青春2 Meng Xue Love O2O 微微一笑很倾城 Meng Yiran Guest role 2017 The Founding of an Army 建军大业 Yang Kaihui 2019 Jade Dynasty 诛仙 1 Lu Xueqi The Captain 中国机长 Zhou Yawen The World Stands Still for a Second 全世界静止的那一秒 Short film 2020 First Shot 第一枪 Short film Warm Hug 温暖的抱抱 Song Wennuan 2021 Chinese Doctors 中国医生 Xiang Nanfang rowspan="2" Unexpected Love 闭嘴！爱吧 The Perfect Blue 她杀 Wu Guan
Television series Year English title Chinese title Role Notes 2010 The Dream of Red Mansions 红楼梦 Xue Baochai (young) 2011 China 1921 中国1921 Yang Kaihui General's Diary Xiao Li 2012 Mother's Scheme Jin Puhe (young) The Watchful Sky 守望的天空 Pu Tao 2013 Shining Days 璀璨人生 Yu Fei Return of the Hairess 千金归来 Shen Changqing Flower Pinellia 花开半夏 Xia Ruhua Protecting the Grandson Li Xiao'ai 2014 Term of Validity for Love 有效期限爱上你 Qi Xiaoyu Only if I Love You 如果我愛你 An Ning 2015 My Amazing Bride 极品新娘 Tang Doudou Sunflower Love 情满雪阳花 Ye Mingzhu Return of Happiness 幸福归来 Yu Youwei 2017 White Deer Plain 白鹿原 Tian Xiao'e Undercover 卧底归来 Tang Guo Princess Agents 特工皇妃楚乔传 Yuan Chun 2018 Battle Through the Heavens 斗破苍穹 Xiao Yixian Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 如懿传 Han Xiangjian 2019 Joy of Life 庆余年 Lin Wan'er Season 1–2 2020 The Song of Glory 锦绣南歌 Shen Lige With You 在一起 Li Tianran Segment: "I Am Dalian" The Wolf 狼殿下 Ma Zhaixing 2021 My Dear Guardian 爱上特种兵 Xia Chu Tears in Heaven 佳期如梦之海上繁花 Du Xiaosu 2022 From Love to Happiness 从爱情到幸福 Gu Xiaowei Thousand Years for You 请君 Yu Dengdeng / Yun Xi 2023 Miles to Go 人生之路 Liu Qiaozhen The Youth Memories 梦中的那片海 Tong Xiaomei 2024 War of Faith 追风者 Shen Jinzhen Snowy Night Timeless Love 七夜雪 Xu Ziye 2025 The Wonderful World 亲爱的你 Shi Diandian Fated Hearts 一笑随歌 Fu Yixiao rowspan="2" Live Long and Prosper 咸鱼飞升 Miao Yan Dazzling 醉梦 Liu Xuemei Cameo
Variety show Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/ 2015 We Are In Love Cast member with Wei Daxun
Discography Year English title Chinese title Album Notes/2010 "Zang Hua Ci" The Dream of Red Mansions OST"Song of Chasing Kites" 2013 "Hug Me Tight" The Return of a Princess OST "Shadow"2015 "Left Hand Hold Right Hand" My Amazing Bride OST2019 "Year of Reunion" Performance for CCTV Lantern Performancewith Luo Yunxi & Zhang Binbin2020 "Hello 2020" Performance for CCTV Spring Galawith Li Xian, Zhu Yilong, Ma Sichun & Zhou Dongyu"Live Up to the Prime of Youth" with Yu Menglong
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result Major awards 2012 31st Hundred Flowers Awards Best Newcomer The Founding of a Party 2018 24th Shanghai Television FestivalBest Supporting ActressWhite Deer Plain 5th The Actors of China Awards CeremonyOutstanding Actress (Emerald Category) 34th Hundred Flowers Awards Best ActressThe Founding of an Army2019 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival Gold Crane Awards Best Supporting ActressThe Captain 3rd Golden Screen Awards 20207th The Actors of China AwardsBest Actress (Web Series)Joy of LifeOutstanding Actress29th Huading AwardsBest Actress 202134th Huading AwardsBest Actress The Wolf 202314th Macau International Television FestivalBest Actress Miles to Go202432nd China TV Golden Eagle AwardsBest ActressOther awards2010TV Drama South Awarding Ceremony Best NewcomerThe Dream of Red MansionsThe Mango TV Fan Festival Best Couple 2011China Power Awards Most Beautiful New Star Sohu Entertainment AwardNew Face 2013 SMG Hope Tour Best Newcomer 20146th China TV Drama AwardsMost Promising ActressIf I Love You2016ifeng Fashion Choice AwardsMost Popular ActressNetease Crossover AwardsBreakthrough Actress2017Netease Attitude AwardMost Anticipated ActorL'Officiel Fashion Night Influence Award Hot Era Reader 24th Cosmo Beauty Ceremony Beautiful Idol Award 9th China TV Drama AwardsYoung Acting Idol Award 201825th Cosmo Beauty Ceremony Beautiful Idol Award12th Tencent Video Star Awards Rising TV Actress 2019China Literature Award CeremonyIP Breakthrough Actress Sina The Most Beautiful PerformanceOutstanding ActressThe Captain, Jade Dynasty Jinri Toutiao Awards Ceremony Charismatic Actress of the Year
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