Tory Daily got some one-on-one time with Chinese actress Zhang Li, here wearing Tory’s Poppy sweater, Mesteno jodhpurs, Gemini Link shoulder bag, Gemini Link patent mid-heel loafers and tassel and charm necklace. Read what she has to say about first fashion loves, Men and the work-life balance…

My backstory…
I am an actress in China. I received a lot of attention playing a role in the TV drama series The Young Doctor, which led me to win the iQiyi award for Best Character in 2012. Since then, I starred in many popular TV drama series such as Men, Beijing Youth, Beautiful Trap and Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.

First fashion memory…
People who dress well attract my attention. I find that I’m always doing a double take.

My personal styling tip/trick…
It’s important to know yourself and your own unique style.

What’s in my handbag…
Usually I carry sun screen, moisturizing spray, lipstick, tissue, gum and perfume.

My most memorable audition, for better or worse…
My first audition. I wasn’t looking to become an actress, I needed to earn money to pay off my tuition fees for fashion design school, so I auditioned for a role in Men, a tv drama series by a well-known director Zhao Baogong. I haven’t stopped since then… it’s been six years already!

Favorite line from one of my roles and why…
In my role as Miqi from Men, I proposed to my boyfriend and said “Would you marry me? I will take care of you forever! (financially).” That’s the first time I‘ve heard of a girl proposing to a boy — how brave Miqi is! In her mind, men and women must be equal.

The two sides to my personality…
I have more than two sides. I can be rational or childish, strong or weak. On the whole, I am an optimistic person!

The key to balancing work and family/life…
To make sure I have a work-life balance, I choose the job that I like rather than accept every job opportunity. I find that you’ll easily fail if you engage in too many things.

Left brain vs. right brain…
I can be both; it depends on the situation.

My zodiac sign…
Gemini.