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Kelly Lin or Lin Hsi-Lei (born October 29, 1973) (Chinese: 林熙蕾; pinyin: Lín Xīlěi) is a Taiwanese actress and model who has appeared mainly in Hong Kong films.

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Lin was born in Taiwan in 1973. She moved to Santa Barbara, California, with her family at the age of 12. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in economics. Not knowing what to do after college, Lin decided to pursue a career in show business in Taiwan.[1]

Career

[edit]

Lin initially wanted to be a singer and recorded demo tapes for a record company, but she was given numerous offers for modeling on television and print ads. Hailed by FHM as "Asia's Sexiest Woman" in 2002, she modelled for the covers of numerous fashion magazines in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. She has also appeared on copies of Marie Claire – French Edition (2005) and VOGUE Italia (2007).

Lin has been seen in various Hong Kong films and has worked with film directors such as Tsui Hark, Patrick Tam and, most frequently, Johnnie To. Lin has co-starred alongside Asian superstars, including Andy Lau, Stephen Chow and Ekin Cheng. With her success as an actress, she decided to drop her hopes of becoming a singer.

After a two-year hiatus from the film industry, Lin returned to acting with films such as Tokyo Trial and After This Our Exile for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards.

In 2006, she worked with award-winning French director, Olivier Assayas, and shared film credits with Italian-born Hollywood actress, Asia Argento, in the film, Boarding Gate, which aired at the Midnight Screening of the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. She also co-starred in the three-part-segment film, Triangle, which was also shown at the festival, and in Mad Detective, which was a runner-up and a "surprise film" at the 64th Venice International Film Festival 2007.

Sparrow, directed by Johnnie To, which took three years to make, was nominated for the "Golden Bear" at the Berlin International Film Festival 2008. Lin seems to have wisely chosen her movie projects, making herself be involved in art films, and giving her opportunities to travel around the world attending various film festivals. She gained the reputation of "Film Festival Queen" in Chinese entertainment.

In 2008, Lin became the first artist to be signed with Stellar Entertainment Ltd., owned and managed by Michelle Yeoh and international film producer Terence Chang. The new company aims to launch Asian artists to international stardom. She is one of the celebrity prime movers of BVLGARI "Rewrite The Future-Save The Children" campaign, alongside global celebrities like Isabella Rosellini, Lena Headey, Mischa Barton, Willem Dafoe and many others. Lin is also a staunch supporter of adopting stray puppies / dogs in Taiwan.

Lin later starred in Wai Ka Fai's "Written By", alongside award-winning actor Sean Lau once again. The film opened the 2009 New York Asian Film Festival and was released in Hong Kong on 10 July 2009. Lin entered the dark comedy genre by starring in tKing Ge You's film called "Gasp", which also stars Hollywood actor John Savage. It was released in Mainland cinemas in August 2009; Dirt Rich in Shanghai was released in October 2009. In this romantic comedy film involving Peter Lee, John Woo, Michelle Yeoh, and Terence Chang, her screen partner is Sun Honglei.

After making two comedy movies in a row, Kelly Lin appeared in the Wuxia movie Reign of Assassins with Michelle Yeoh and acclaimed Korean actor Jung Woo Sung. Production began in 2009, with the film released in 2010.

Personal life

[edit]

On 28 March 2011, Lin married Chinese-American businessman Chris Young in a low-key beach wedding in the Maldives. On 31 August, she gave birth to their daughter Kaitlin.[citation needed]

On 26 February 2014, Lin gave birth to her second daughter Mila.[citation needed]

Filmography

[edit]

[2]

Television

[edit]

Book

[edit]
  • Offbeat (1999)

Awards

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
  • CHINFEI skin care products (2010)
  • RADO watches (2010)
  • CHANEL Handbags (2009)
  • LOEWE (2009)
  • PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR (2009)
  • BVLGARI-Rewrite The Future, "Save The Children" Campaign (2009)
  • BVLGARI (2008)
  • CHAUMET Jewelries (2008)
  • BURBERRY-Taiwan (2008)
  • GUCCI (2008)
  • CHANEL No5 (Taiwan) (2008)
  • Paul & Shark '08 (2008)
  • Estee Lauder (2008)
  • agnes b. (2008)
  • PC Ladies Brassiere & Lingerie (2008)
  • Celine (2008)
  • Louis Vuitton (2004–2008)
  • Adidas (2007–present)
  • Motorola (2006–present)
  • Cindy Chao Jewelries (2004–present)
  • Jaeger-LeCoultre (2007–2008)
  • Emporio Armani (2007)
  • Versace (2007)
  • Laneige Cosmetics (2007)
  • Cartidea (2007)
  • ESPRIT (2007)
  • Omega Jewelries (2006)
  • Raymond Weil Geneve Watch (2006)
  • Cartier (2005)
  • Lancôme (2005)
  • Pantene Shampoo (2003)
  • Ponpon (2002)
  • Neutrogena Facial Cleanser (2002)
  • LAUREL Foods – Cairu Wanton (2000)
  • Taiwan Mobile TV Ad (1999)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kelly Lin

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kelly Lin Hsi-lei (Chinese: 林熙蕾; born October 29, 1975) is a Taiwanese actress, model, and director best known for her roles in Hong Kong films during the 2000s. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, she initially pursued modeling after university, appearing in advertisements and fashion magazines across Asia before entering the film industry. Lin made her acting debut in 1999 in The Tricky Master, directed by Wong Jing, followed by For Bad Boys Only in 2000, often playing glamorous romantic leads. Her breakthrough year was 2001, with standout performances as a sharp-witted office worker in Running Out of Time 2, alongside Andy Lau in the action thriller Fulltime Killer, and in Tsui Hark's fantasy epic The Legend of Zu. After her breakthrough in 2001 and further roles in 2002, Lin took a four-year hiatus before returning in 2006 with the historical drama Tokyo Trial, portraying a Japanese journalist, and earned critical acclaim for her role in Patrick Leung's family drama After This Our Exile (2006), which garnered her nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the 2007 Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Bauhinia Awards. Expanding internationally, Lin starred in French director Olivier Assayas's (2007), which premiered out of competition at the , and collaborated with on films like (2007) and Sparrow (2008). In 2008, she signed with Michelle Yeoh's production company, Stellar Entertainment, to pursue more diverse roles, such as in the 2010 martial arts film . Lin also ventured into directing with the thriller The Devil Inside Me (2011) and has continued selective work into the , maintaining a focus on character-driven narratives over high-volume productions, and as of 2025, is returning to after focusing on .

Biography

Early life and education

Kelly Lin was born on October 29, 1973, in , , to a Taiwanese family. At the age of 12, her family relocated to , where she began adapting to American life and culture. Lin later pursued higher education in the United States, attending the . She graduated with a in Economics in the mid-1990s. This academic background in the U.S. provided her with a strong foundation for pursuing international opportunities later in life.

Personal life

Kelly Lin married Chinese-American businessman Chris Young on March 28, 2011, in a low-key beach ceremony in the . The couple, who had kept their relationship private, opted for an intimate event away from public attention. Their first , Kaitlin, was born on August 31, 2011, shortly after the . Lin shared family photos soon after the birth, marking the arrival of her newborn while maintaining a focus on privacy. The couple welcomed their second , Mila, on February 26, 2014, via , with the baby weighing approximately 3 kilograms and resembling her mother. Following her marriage, Lin has resided in with her , prioritizing a relatively normal life centered on her daughters and husband. She emphasizes privacy in her personal affairs, rarely sharing details beyond occasional family milestones, and has described finding in everyday interactions with her children. Lin has highlighted the importance of work-life balance, rotating family responsibilities to support her role as a mother while occasionally pursuing professional opportunities. Her dedication to played a key role in her career decisions during this period.

Career

Beginnings in modeling and music

After graduating from the , Lin returned to in the late to pursue a career in . Initially drawn to music, she recorded demo tapes for a record company in hopes of launching a singing career, but she soon pivoted to modeling upon receiving multiple offers for television commercials and print advertisements. This marked her entry into the entertainment industry, where she established herself as a prominent figure in Taiwan's scene through various ad campaigns and features. Lin's modeling work gained significant recognition in 2002 when she was voted "Asia's Sexiest Woman" by Malaysia's magazine, a title that highlighted her appeal and boosted her visibility across , , and . That same year, she continued to build her profile with covers and editorials in major fashion publications. In 1999, Lin published her first book, Offbeat, a photo collection that offered insights into her personal experiences and early modeling life, further solidifying her status as an emerging icon. Around 2000, she signed with talent agencies in , facilitating a shift from her Taiwan-based work to opportunities in the region's burgeoning . This move laid the groundwork for her expansion beyond modeling and music into .

Film acting

Kelly Lin made her film debut in 1999, starring in Wong Jing's and For Bad Boys Only. Her breakthrough came in 2001 with standout roles including a sharp-witted office worker in Running Out of Time 2, alongside in the action thriller , and the Flower Demon in 's fantasy epic . Building on this, her collaboration with acclaimed director began in the mid-2000s, leading to breakthrough roles that highlighted her range across genres. In (2007), a crime drama co-directed by To, , and Tsui Hark, Lin portrayed Ling, the unfaithful wife of a triad member, contributing to the film's ensemble dynamic amid escalating betrayals and shootouts. Later that year, in To's , she played dual roles as Cheung and the imaginary wife May, embodying a tough police officer and a figure in a exploring split personalities and corruption, which underscored her ability to handle complex, introspective characters in action-oriented stories. Lin expanded her profile through international projects, including the historical drama The Tokyo Trial (2006), directed by Gao Qunshu, where she depicted Yoshiko Wada, a Japanese woman entangled in romance and wartime intrigue during the International Military Tribunal for the . She followed this with a supporting turn as Sue Wong, a businesswoman in a tense import firm, in Olivier Assayas's French thriller Boarding Gate (2007), which shifted between and and delved into themes of seduction and corporate espionage. Among her notable performances, Lin starred as Fong, a compassionate prostitute in a strained extramarital affair, in Patrick Tam's family drama After This Our Exile (2006), opposite , where her role added emotional depth to the story of abandonment and redemption. In Johnnie To's romantic crime caper Sparrow (2008), she played the enigmatic Chun Lei, a who disrupts a pickpocket gang led by , blending allure and mystery in a visually stylish homage to . Lin also appeared in the wuxia Reign of Assassins (2010), co-directed by and Su Chao-pin, as the assassin Drizzle in a pre-surgery cameo, supporting the including in a tale of hidden identities and vengeance. These dramatic roles garnered critical attention for Lin's versatility, particularly in To's films; screened at the 2007 , where her portrayal of intertwined personas was noted for enhancing the film's innovative take on mental fragmentation, while Sparrow competed for the at the 2008 , praising her as a captivating presence that elevated the lighthearted yet tense ensemble interplay. In (2011), a horror thriller directed by Zhang Qi, Lin led as Lin Yan, a ceramist haunted by visions post-heart transplant, marking an overlap in her acting career with explorations of psychological suspense.

Television and other media

Kelly Lin began her media career with appearances in Taiwanese television during her modeling phase in the late 1990s, where she featured in print and on-air advertisements that highlighted her emerging presence in the entertainment industry. These early spots capitalized on her background as a model, providing initial exposure before her transition to acting. In the , Lin expanded into television, taking on guest roles in drama serials produced by . Notably, she portrayed Ming Zhu Jun Zhu in the 2001 series The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung, a drama that showcased her versatility in episodic formats alongside established stars. This role marked one of her key contributions to Hong Kong broadcast media during a period when she balanced film commitments with shorter television engagements. Lin's involvement in international media often intersected with film promotions, including television interviews and features on outlets like CCTV International, where she discussed her transition from modeling to acting in 2009. These appearances emphasized her cross-regional appeal, blending promotional discussions with insights into her career trajectory. In recent years, Lin has returned to television acting with roles in anthology and drama series. She appeared as Ting Chih-chieh in a 2023 episode of the Taiwanese Netflix series At the Moment, an exploration of love during the pandemic, and as Mrs. Lin in the Chinese drama Blossoms Shanghai (2023), portraying a sophisticated supporting character. These roles demonstrate her continued adaptability in contemporary broadcast narratives. In 2025, Lin engaged in high-profile media interviews reflecting on her family life and acting comeback, featured on the cover of Prestige Hong Kong's November issue, where she shared details about prioritizing family post-2014 hiatus before resuming projects. This outlet highlighted her graceful return, tying personal reflections to her professional resurgence.

Hiatus and return

Following her marriage to American-Chinese businessman Chris Yang on March 28, 2011, Kelly Lin experienced a notable slowdown in her acting career as she prioritized family life in Hong Kong. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Kaitlin, on August 31, 2011, followed by their second daughter, Mila, on February 26, 2014, during which time Lin largely stepped away from the spotlight to focus on raising her children. This period marked a deliberate shift, with Lin emphasizing family as her top priority over professional commitments. Prior to her full hiatus, Lin signed with Stellar Entertainment Ltd. in 2008, a management founded by and Terence Chang, serving as a transitional step in her career amid her rising prominence in film. The agency, based in and , represented her alongside other talents as she continued select projects before family demands intensified. From 2020 to 2025, Lin maintained a low public profile through her account (@kellyhlin), where she shared insights into her personal growth, family moments, love for animals, and commitment to environmental causes, gradually building toward her professional revival. This activity reflected her evolving interests and helped reconnect her with audiences during her hiatus. In 2025, she announced her return to acting, marking a resurgence after years of family focus. Lin's comeback included exclusive interviews discussing her parenting values—such as instilling resilience and in her daughters—and her motivations for re-entering the industry, blending personal fulfillment with creative pursuits. Her renewed public engagement was evident at events like the opening of the "Luminance by " exhibition on October 16, 2025, in , where she attended alongside industry figures, signaling her active return to the scene.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2007Hong Kong Film AwardsBest Supporting ActressAfter This Our ExileNominated
2007Golden Bauhinia AwardsBest Supporting ActressAfter This Our ExileNominated
2011Macau International Movie FestivalThe Devil Inside MeNominated

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRole
1999The Conmen in VegasBetty
1999First Love
1999The Legend of SpeedKelly
2000 5: The Final JudgementNako
2000For Bad Boys OnlyAngel
2001Asian Cindy
2001Martial AngelsOctopus
2001Ms. Chin
2001
2001Running Out of Time 2Teresa
2002Devil Face, Angel HeartSandy
2002The Irresistible PiggiesTam Siu Hung / Panda
2002Sleeping with the DeadCindy / Ling
2002My Left Eye Sees GhostsSam's dead girlfriend
2006After This Our ExileFong
2006The Tokyo TrialYoshiko Wada
2007Lin
2007Inspector May Cheung
2007Lea
2008SparrowChung Chun Lei
2009Tao Jin Hai Ke
2009GaspMing Chen
2009Written ByMandy Ching
2009My Fair GentlemanWu Jia Qian
2010Just Call Me NobodyYue-Lou / Lady Moon
2010Showtime
2010Drizzle
2011The Devil Inside MeLin Yan
2012Money Island Love
2023Lau Wai-Chi's wife

Television series

Kelly Lin began her television work in the late 1990s with guest appearances and supporting roles in Taiwanese and productions, transitioning to more prominent parts in the early before a hiatus. Her notable television series roles are as follows:
YearTitleRoleNetworkEpisodes
2001The New Adventures of Chor Lau HeungPrincess Ming ZhuCTS / 40
2002Honour and Unforgiven (Yi Ben Wu Hui)Supporting roleATV ()20
2003 (Qi Nian Ji Sheng)Supporting role22
2023At the MomentTing Chih-chieh (Episodes 9-10)2 (of 10)
2023–2024Mrs. Lin / 2
Following her career hiatus for family commitments, Lin returned to television in 2023 with selective and guest appearances, marking her re-entry into the medium after nearly two decades.

Public engagements

Endorsements

Kelly Lin's recognition as "Asia's Sexiest Woman" by magazine in 2002 significantly elevated her profile in the modeling world, opening doors to high-profile commercial endorsement deals across luxury, sportswear, and cosmetics sectors. Throughout the 2000s, Lin served as a prominent ambassador for Italian jewelry house BVLGARI, modeling their collections at exhibitions and store openings, including a 2008 event in where she showcased pieces valued at over HK$120 million. She also walked for BVLGARI's jewelry show in that year alongside other celebrities. Her association extended to luxury fashion, as evidenced by her appearances in attire and jewelry for major events, such as a 2004 premiere where she donned a halter dress and accessories worth nearly NT$10 million. In the sportswear category, Lin began endorsing in 2007, participating in product launches and themed parties that highlighted her as a symbol of sporty elegance. She attended the brand's Classic 2007 Autumn/Winter series event in , interpreting athletic styles with a sensual edge, and later joined the 60th anniversary celebration of the "three stripes" logo in 2009 across and other locations. Lin's endorsements in and skincare included a post-maternity deal with Swiss brand Suissue Programme in 2011, where she starred in television advertisements as a "crystal elf" figure. By 2013, she became the face of LUX's "Shining Hair" series, promoting shine-enhancing shampoos at a in . Following her partial return to public life in the 2020s, Lin featured in Tory Burch's 2024 Spring/Summer campaign, collaborating with brand ambassador and Sui Tang to showcase the T handbag line in a sunset-themed shoot emphasizing women's multifaceted styles. Some of her partnerships, like the BVLGARI collaboration, have intersected with philanthropy, supporting initiatives through promotional posters and events.

Philanthropy

Kelly Lin has actively supported child welfare initiatives throughout her career. In the late , she participated as a celebrity ambassador for BVLGARI's "Rewrite the Future - " campaign, which focused on improving access to for underprivileged children worldwide by raising funds through jewelry sales and awareness events in . Her commitment to stems from personal experiences, including growing up with dogs in her household and accompanying her father on visits to animal shelters to adopt pets, which fostered her lifelong passion for supporting stray and abandoned animals. Lin identifies as an animal lover and has advocated for their protection, aligning her efforts with broader calls for compassion toward vulnerable creatures. In recent years, Lin has self-identified as an environmentalist, emphasizing in her public persona and sharing insights on eco-friendly practices through . She has expressed broader sentiments, echoing the idea that "when the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know " to promote global and ethical living. Following her career hiatus, Lin resumed philanthropic activities, including pairing with actress for Bright Side Projects' "Choose Love" campaign, a welfare program providing nutritious meals, educational opportunities, and training to disadvantaged youth in . By 2025, she participated in family-oriented charity events, such as attending a brand's charity sale in to support community causes. These efforts highlight her focus on initiatives benefiting children and families post-retirement from full-time acting.

References

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  52. https://udn.com/news/story/7270/8615468
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