Born in the bustling metropolis of Beijing in the year 1915, Li's early life was marked by a tumultuous and challenging childhood. As a childmaid, she was adopted into a new family, and her formative years were spent learning the intricacies of Beijing Opera. Tragedy struck when she was forced to seek refuge in an orphanage, where she would later find solace in her artistic pursuits.
In 1927, Li made the bold decision to leave her hometown of Beijing behind and relocate to the vibrant city of Shanghai. It was here that she joined a troupe of performers, where she honed her skills in singing and dancing. Her natural talent and charisma quickly made her a standout among her peers, and she soon found herself in high demand as a performer.
The dawn of the 1930s saw Li take her talents to the silver screen, as she began a successful career as a movie actress. Under the guidance of renowned director Sun Yu, she appeared in a string of six films, cementing her status as a rising star in the Chinese film industry. What set her apart from her contemporaries was her bold, modern, and vibrant on-screen presence, which captivated audiences and critics alike.
However, the Japanese occupation of Shanghai in the 1930s brought Li's career to a sudden halt. Forced to flee the city, she traveled between Chung King and Hong Kong, continuing to work in the film industry despite the challenging circumstances.
The end of World War II marked a new chapter in Li's life, as she traveled to the United States in 1946 to pursue further education and training. Over the next year, she studied English, music, and makeup, and even had the opportunity to learn from the masters of Hollywood. Her time in the States was a transformative experience, and she returned to China in 1947 with a newfound sense of purpose and direction.
The years following China's liberation saw Li return to the film industry, this time as a respected and established actress. In 1955, she was enrolled in the newly established Beijing Film Academy, where she would go on to graduate and later become a professor. Her dedication to her craft and her students earned her a reputation as a true master of her art, and she remained a beloved figure in the Chinese film industry until her passing.
