# Li Qin (actress)

Li Qin (Chinese: 李沁; 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), Where Dreams Begin (2023), and War of Faith (2024).

## 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 | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2011 | Mr. and Mrs. Incredible | Lan Fenghuang | |
| 2011 | Distressed Thief | Li Manzhen | |
| 2011 | The Founding of a Party | Yang Kaihui | |
| 2011 | Guo Mingyi | Guo Ruixue | |
| 2012 | Joyful Reunion | Bai Ping | |
| 2013 | Amazing | Xiao Ke | |
| 2016 | Never Gone | Meng Xue | |
| 2016 | Love O2O | Meng Yiran | |
| 2017 | The Founding of an Army | Yang Kaihui | |
| 2019 | Jade Dynasty | Lu Xueqi | |
| 2019 | The Captain | Zhou Yawen | |
| 2019 | The World Stands Still for a Second | | Short film |
| 2020 | First Shot | | Short film |
| 2020 | Warm Hug | Song Wennuan | |
| TBA | The Perfect Blue | Wu Guan | |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2010 | The Dream of Red Mansions | Xue Baochai (young) | |
| 2011 | China 1921 | Yang Kaihui | |
| 2011 | General's Diary | Xiao Li | |
| 2012 | Mother's Scheme | Jin Puhe (young) | |
| 2012 | The Watchful Sky | Pu Tao | |
| 2013 | Shining Days | Yu Fei | |
| 2013 | The Return of a Princess | Shen Changqing | |
| 2013 | Flower Pinellia | Xia Ruhua | |
| 2013 | Protecting the Grandson | Li Xiao'ai | |
| 2014 | Expiration Date to Fall in Love with You | Qi Xiaoyu | |
| 2014 | If I Love You | An Ning | |
| 2015 | My Amazing Bride | Tang Doudou | |
| 2015 | Sunflower Love | Ye Mingzhu | |
| 2015 | Return of Happiness | Yu Youwei | |
| 2017 | White Deer Plain | Tian Xiao'e | |
| 2017 | Undercover | Tang Guo | |
| 2017 | Princess Agents | Yuan Chun | |
| 2018 | Battle Through the Heavens | Xiao Yixian | |
| 2018 | Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace | Han Xiangjian | |
| 2019 | Joy of Life | Lin Wan'er | Season 1–2 |
| 2020 | The Song of Glory | Shen Lige | |
| 2020 | With You | Li Tian Ran | Segment: "I Am Dalian" |
| 2020 | The Wolf | Ma Zhaixing | |
| 2021 | My Dear Guardian | Xia Chu | |
| 2021 | Tears in Heaven | Du Xiaosu | Filmed in 2016 |
| 2022 | From Love to Happiness | Gu Xiaowei | Filmed in 2014 |
| 2022 | Thousand Years For You | Yu Dengdeng / Yunxi | |
| 2023 | Miles to Go | Liu Qiaozhen | |
| 2023 | Where Dreams Begin | Tong Xiao Mei | |
| 2024 | War of Faith | Shen Jinzhen | |

### Variety show

| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes/Ref. |
| 2015 | We Are In Love | 我们相爱吧 | Cast member | with Wei Daxun |

## Discography

| Year | English title | Chinese title | Album | Notes |
| 2010 | "Zang Hua Ci" | 葬花词 | The Dream of Red Mansions OST | |
| 2010 | "Song of Chasing Kites" | 追风筝的歌 | The Dream of Red Mansions OST | |
| 2013 | "Hug Me Tight" | 抱紧我 | The Return of a Princess OST | |
| 2013 | "Shadow" | 影子 | The Return of a Princess OST | |
| 2015 | "Left Hand Hold Right Hand" | 左手牵右手 | My Amazing Bride OST | |
| 2019 | "Year of Reunion" | 团圆年 | | Performance for CCTV Lantern Performance with Luo Yunxi & Zhang Binbin |
| 2020 | "Hello 2020" | 你好2020 | | Performance for CCTV Spring Gala with Li Xian, Zhu Yilong, Ma Sichun & Zhou Dongyu |
| 2020 | "Live Up to the Prime of Youth" | 不负韶华 | | 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 | Nominated |
| 2018 | 24th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Supporting Actress | White Deer Plain | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th The Actors of China Awards Ceremony | Outstanding Actress (Emerald Category) | — | Nominated |
| 2018 | 34th Hundred Flowers Awards | Best Actress | The Founding of an Army | Nominated |
| 2019 | 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival Gold Crane Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Captain | Won |
| 2019 | 3rd Golden Screen Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Captain | Won |
| 2020 | 7th The Actors of China Awards | Best Actress (Web Series) | Joy of Life | Nominated |
| 2020 | 7th The Actors of China Awards | Outstanding Actress | Joy of Life | Won |
| 2020 | 29th Huading Awards | Best Actress | Joy of Life | Nominated |
| 2021 | 34th Huading Awards | Best Actress | The Wolf | Nominated |
| 2023 | 14th Macau International Television Festival | Best Actress | Miles to Go | Nominated |
| 2024 | 32nd China TV Golden Eagle Awards | Best Actress | Miles to Go | Nominated |
| Other awards ||||||
| 2010 | TV Drama South Awarding Ceremony | Best Newcomer | The Dream of Red Mansions | Won |
| 2010 | The Mango TV Fan Festival | Best Couple | The Dream of Red Mansions | Won |
| 2011 | China Power Awards | Most Beautiful New Star | — | Won |
| 2011 | Sohu Entertainment Award | New Face | — | Won |
| 2013 | SMG Hope Tour | Best Newcomer | — | Won |
| 2014 | 6th China TV Drama Awards | Most Promising Actress | If I Love You | Won |
| 2016 | ifeng Fashion Choice Awards | Most Popular Actress | — | Won |
| 2016 | Netease Crossover Awards | Breakthrough Actress | — | Won |
| 2017 | Netease Attitude Award | Most Anticipated Actor | — | Won |
| 2017 | L'Officiel Fashion Night Influence Award | Hot Era Reader | — | Won |
| 2017 | 24th Cosmo Beauty Ceremony | Beautiful Idol Award | — | Won |
| 2017 | 9th China TV Drama Awards | Young Acting Idol Award | — | Won |
| 2018 | 25th Cosmo Beauty Ceremony | Beautiful Idol Award | — | Won |
| 2018 | 12th Tencent Video Star Awards | Rising TV Actress | — | Won |
| 2019 | China Literature Award Ceremony | IP Breakthrough Actress | — | Won |
| 2019 | Sina The Most Beautiful Performance | Outstanding Actress | The Captain, Jade Dynasty | Won |
| 2019 | Jinri Toutiao Awards Ceremony | Charismatic Actress of the Year | — | Won |