Po-Ying Li

Early life Li’s ancestral hometown is Daliang Subdistrict, Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong province. Li started singing because her father took her to a training class of the South China Athletic Association. She has one sister and two brothers. Her father died during her months of overseas performance at intermission of her first film.

Career Li started her career as a Cantonese opera singer on radio and her vocal style eventually became known as the Bo-style.

Li became an actress in Hong Kong films first in It's Fun Getting Together, a 1954 comedy directed by Chow Sze-Luk. Li appeared in White Gold Dragon (1954), Third-master Sha, the Heart-Stealer (1954), and How the Scholar Tong Pak-Fu Won the Maid Chau-Heung (1954). Li appeared as a lead actress in The Scholar Whose Ambition Is to Marry a Princess, a 1955 Cantonese opera film directed by Wong Tin-Lam, and in The Opera Boat at Star Island (aka The Opera Boat in Singapore), a 1955 Drama film directed by Ku Wen-Chung. Li also appeared as Princess Iron Fan in The Adventures of Nazha, a 1965 Historical Drama directed by Siu Sang and Miu Hong-Nee. Li's last film was Night of the Opera Stars (aka Goddess of Mercy Celebrates Her Birthday at Xiang Shan), a 1966 Documentary film directed by Wong Hok-Sing. Li is credited with over 45 films.

Repertoire Li earned her the nickname the Mini-Yim Fun Fong through vocal performances, live on radio as well as albums with Mee Shing (Record) Co. Hong Kong. The Story of Li Wa Martial Heros Injustice Done to Tou Ngo on stage, first time ever since Fong.

Theater Performance Veteran organizer created a new test troupe for her stage performances right before Fong retired opposite two young up-and-coming co-leads, similar to the style of Fong who hired different, albeit veteran, male co-leads as and when Fong saw fit. Li never played second to any female leads or even more junior roles on stage. Neither was Li the original cast of her Repertoire until, years since debut on stage in the very late 1950s, opposite Ho Fei-Fan and others who had decades of experience working with such brand new female co-leads. 1977, with Da Qun Ying Yue Ju Tuan, Kreta Ayer People's Theatre, Singapore 1978, 6th Hong Kong Arts Festival - Butterfly Lovers - War and Never-ending Love by playwright Poon Cheuk 1979, The Love Story of the Carp 1981, one title for 8 shows on 7 days, Hong Kong 1983, Chinese Opera Fortnight 1984, four titles/shows on three days in Paris, France - San Kan Yu Mei Liu Jinding - Lady White Snake - Goddess of the Luo River - The Dream Encounter Between Emperor Wu of Han and Lady Wa 1985, Chinese Opera Fortnight

Filmography Films This is a partial list of films. 1954 It's Fun Getting Together 1954 White Gold Dragon 1954 Third-master Sha, the Heart-Stealer 1954 How the Scholar Tong Pak-Fu Won the Maid Chau-Heung 1955 The Scholar Whose Ambition Is to Marry a Princess 1955 The Opera Boat at Star Island (aka The Opera Boat in Singapore) 1960 The Revenge of a Forlorn Wife 1960 Ten Schoolgirls - Lam Doi-Yuk Choi Ping-Kei. 1962 The Jade Hairpin (opposite Ho Fei-Fan) 1962 The Royal Wedding in the Palace (as Xi Shi) 1965 The Adventures of Nazha – Princess Iron Fan 1966 Night of the Opera Stars (aka Goddess of Mercy Celebrates Her Birthday at Xiang Shan) – Documentary

Discography 1954, Lotus Fragrance , S-113, (Shellac, 10"), one side Two Fools in Hell (LTLP-16) 1960, Lotus Fragrance , M4536 1965, Gung Hei Faat Coi , S507

Solo Don't Forget Your Heartfelt Friends (FHLP 541, 1974)

Awards 1981 BH for her artistic contributions towards Cantonese Opera.