Kong Lin (Chinese: 孔琳) (born 5 January 1969), also known as Kong Ling (Chinese: 孔令), is a mainland Chinese actress, television series and movie producer, art director, and semi-rock-pop singer. Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang she now lives in Beijing, Jilin.

Kong is known as one of her generation's most distinguished graduates of the Beijing Film Academy, praised for her great ability and multitalented abilities. Before graduating, she was already contributing to several film projects directed by prominent filmmakers, such Zhang Yimou in his movie, Raise the Red Lantern.

Well known as a villain in many television series because of her performance in Raise the Red Lantern, she has appeared in The Proud Twins (2005), Zhen Qing Gao Bie (2003), The Raging Butterfly (2003), (2003) amongst many others.

Kong Lin grew up in a family of artists; her father was in western-style opera/theatrical works as singer and actor. She, in turn, was mentored by him in singing, dancing, acting, and also playing violoncello.

In 1987, Lin's father sent her to study acting at the Beijing Film Academy. During her teenage years, she often participated in opera/theatre performances and also took part in the school band when she was in high school, playing instruments (guitar, cello, or piano), singing, and dancing.

When Kong was still a student at the Beijing Film Academy, she began to make appearances in movies. In 1989, she was chosen by Li Shaohong, a famous mainland director, to take part in her movie named Bloody Morning. She starred as a poor village girl called Li Hong Xin. In 1991, she appeared in Zhang Yimou's acclaimed film, Raise the Red Lantern. Kong appeared alongside star Gong Li as her servant named Yan Er who acted haughty, stubborn, and full of hatred to her mistress. This role became one of her more notable roles. In the same year, Kong played as participant role in the movie Transcend Life as a Japanese girl, and Rippling Love as a pianist. In 1992, she had a female leading role in the semi-comedy film Cannot Live Without Love with some of her classmates.

...
Wikipedia