Li Yitong (), also known as Shirley or Li Xue (), is a Chinese actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Wan Mei, an assassin in the 2018 Chinese television series Bloody Romance, Huang Rong in 2017 TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Lu Wenxi (Abao) in the 2019 Chinese television series Royal Nirvana, Fu Rou in the 2021 Chinese television series Court Lady, and Song Yimeng / Song Xiaoyu in 2025 historical romance television series A Dream Within a Dream.
Early life and education Li Yitong was born Li Xue in Jinan, Shandong. She started dancing when she was almost ten by taking amateur-level classes. Under the recommendation of a teacher, she later applied and was admitted to the Shenzhen Art School at the age of 12. She received her bachelor's degree from the Beijing Dance Academy, China's leading dance institution, where she majored in folk dance. Prior to becoming an actress, Li wanted to start a business of tea house into which she could merge elements of dance performance. But after once helping out her friends in film school for a microcinema, she was fascinated and decided to pursue a career in acting.
Career
In 2016, Li made her acting debut with a leading role in the period fantasy web series Demon Girl by Yu Zheng.
In 2017, she played Huang Rong in the television adaptation of Jin Yong's wuxia novel Legend of the Condor Heroes and rose to fame in China.
In 2018, Li starred in the wuxia romance web series Bloody Romance, playing the lead role of an assassin named Wan Mei. She also recorded one of the drama's theme songs. The series was a major commercial success and passed 600 million views online by August 2018. The same year, she made her big-screen debut in the comedy film Keep Calm and Be a Superstar.
In 2019, Li starred in the period romance drama Blossom in Heart alongside Deng Lun, historical political drama Royal Nirvana alongside Luo Jin, and wuxia drama Sword Dynasty alongside Li Xian.
In 2020, Li starred in fantasy romance film Love You Forever, and modern romance drama Don't Think Twice, Love's All Right alongside Chen Jianbin.
In 2021, she starred in the fantasy romance drama Court Lady, playing the female lead role Fu Rou, a seamstress.
Filmography Film Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/Ref. 2013 Juzi and Luoxing 橘子与罗兴 Ju Zi Short film 2018 Keep Calm and Be a Superstar 卧底巨星 Tong Tong 2020 Love You Forever 我在时间尽头等你 Qiu Qian 2022I, Butterfly制造偶像Zhang Xiao MiaoShort film
Television series YearEnglish title Original title RoleNetworkNotes2016 Demon Girl 半妖倾城Nie QingchengMango TV Demon Girl 2半妖倾城2 Nie Qingcheng 2017 The Legend of the Condor Heroes射雕英雄传Huang Rong Dragon TV 2018 Bloody Romance媚者无疆 Qi Xue / Wan Mei Youku 2019 Blossom in Heart 海棠经雨胭脂透 Gu Haitang Mango TV Royal Nirvana 鹤唳华亭 Lu Wenxi / Gu Ahbao Youku Sword Dynasty剑王朝 Zhangsun Qianxue / Gongsun Qianxue iQIYI 2020Don't Think Twice, Love's All Right爱我就别想太多 Xia Keke Beijing TV, Dragon TV Just to See You只为那一刻与你相见 Xia Ranran Dragon TV Dear Missy 了不起的女孩 Lu Ke iQIYI 2021 Dt. Appledog's Time 我的时代，你的时代 Ai Qing (Appledog) Court Lady骊歌行Fu RouiQIYI, TencentFaith Makes Great理想照耀中国Shen FujiaHunan TV2022Glory of Special Forces 特战荣耀Ai Qianxue Dragon TV, Zhejiang TV Love Between Fairy and Devil苍兰诀Si MingiQIYICameoMy Deepest Dream乌云遇皎月Tan JiaoTencent2023The Knockout狂飙Meng YuCCTV-8, iQIYIWarm on a Cold Night九霄寒夜暖Su Jiu'eriQIYIHi Producer正好遇见你Lin HaishaniQIYI, TencentSpy Game特工任务YaoyaoiQIYI2024Tell No One不可告人Zheng Dongyu2025A Dream Within a Dream书卷一梦Song Yimeng / Song XiaoyuiQIYI, Jiangsu TVSword and Beloved天地剑心Qing Tong / "12580"iQIYI2026The Legend of Rosy Clouds云秀行Fan YunA Prophet长风起Jiang FeiyaniQiyi, TencentThe Vanishing Beauty美人余Yu MengTencent scope="row" rowspan="34" The Melody of Love古乐风华录Yue YangyangTencentThe Noble金枝Zhao Jinzhi / Chen Que'erHero Legends英雄志Gu QianxiCCTV-8, Tencent
Discography Singles Year English title Chinese title Album Notes/Ref. 2017 "Mini-Lightning"迷你闪电 2018 "Disfavored"失宠Bloody Romance OST 2019 "Qian Xue" 浅雪 Sword Dynasty OST 2020 "Falling in Love with You Before Meeting" 在相遇之前爱上你 Love You Forever OST 2025 "I'm a Little Fish" 这条小鱼在乎 I'm a Little Fish
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 20172nd China Quality Television Drama CeremonyNew Star Award The Legend of the Condor Heroes 6th iQiyi All-Star Carnival Television Newcomer of the Year China TV Guide Most Influential Television Newcomer Demon GirlThe Legend of the Condor Heroes 2018QQ Interest Group Appreciation Night New Female Artist Award 20196th The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actress (Emerald Category) Golden Bud – The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival Best ActressBlossom in Heart, Royal Nirvana Weibo Movie Awards Ceremony Most Anticipated Film Newcomer Love You Forever 20207th The Actors of China Award CeremonyBest Actress (Emerald) 29th Huading Award Best Actress Royal Nirvana
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