Li was born in Bacheng Town of Kunshan city, Jiangsu province on September 27, 1990. At the age of 11, Li studied Chinese traditional opera in Shipai Central School. She graduated from Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2008, majoring in Chinese traditional opera.
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 dramaIf 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 literacy 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 ForbesChina 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. Li is set to star in the comedy filmWarm Hug.
