The Whirlwind Girl
The Whirlwind Girl is a 2015 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name written by Ming Xiaoxi. It aired on Hunan TV from 7 July to 26 August 2015.
Synopsis
The story tells the journey of Qi Baicao who has a fondness for Yuanwudao ever since she was little. After her parents died in a fire accident, Bai Cao is adopted and raised by Qu Xiangnan, the former world champion of Yuanwudao, whose skills and reputation have been defamed by his rivals. Honest, righteous, and determined to succeed, Bai Cao gradually transforms from a "weed" into a professional Yuanwudao athlete, fighting her way to the top and reclaiming her teacher's innocence. Along the way she encounters friends such as her stoic and selfless senior Ruo Bai, the warm and caring but mysteriously secluded medic Yu Chuyuan, and the flirtatious, playful Fang Tinghao with a hidden agenda as well as rivals such Fang Tingyi.Cast
Main
- Hu Bingqing as Qi Baicao - An honest, humble and hardworking girl who has loved Yuanwudao since she was young. Her parents died in a fire accident and she was taken in by her teacher who she always supports and believes in. Though she hasn't had any formal training or experience, she initially starts competing in competitions for SongBai as a white belt and keeps working her way to the top with determination, becoming an exceptional and outstanding player in the female Yuanwudao community, earning the title, "The Whirlwind Girl".
- Yang Yang as Ruo Bai - He is BaiCao's senior at Song Bai with whom she trains with. With his help, BaiCao works her way to the top. He is shown to be stoic and cold with a hidden kind heart. He takes notice of BaiCao's huge potential. He falls deeply in love with BaiCao from the beginning and is willing to do anything to help her accomplish her dreams, however he keeps his feelings to himself. Baicao initially sees him as her friend and mentor and is completely oblivious to his feelings for her. But in the end she later realizes that he is the one who is important in her heart.
- Chen Xiang as Fang Tinghao - An international Yuanwudao champion and the current number one player, who is initially shown to be arrogant and flirtatious, yet has a kind heart. He develops an interest in BaiCao after meeting her for the first time and admires her skills in Yuanwudao. He soon falls deeply in love with her and gets jealous whenever he sees her with someone else. However Baicao only sees him as an important friend and respects him as a senior.
- Zhao Yuannuan as Fang Tingyi - She is Tinghao's sister. A vain and arrogant girl, she is a Yuanwudao champion, and is regarded as "Moon Goddess", a superstar in the Yuanwudao world due to her talents and beautiful appearance. She likes Chuyuan, and is jealous of his love for Baicao. However, she later realizes her mistakes and encourages Baicao not to give up and continue to fight for SongBai. Fang Tingyi and Qi Baicao are like two sides of the same coin. Both are humbled by each other. When Baicao lost to Tingyi, she realizes that her strength alone wasn't going to help her and that there is no shortcut to hard work, no matter how long it takes, thus she is humbled by Tingyi. Tingyi is also humbled by Baicao when she realizes that her arrogance isn't going to get her anywhere and that it shouldn't matter if Baicao reaches her level because she doesn't practice Yuanwudao just to keep defeating Baicao, rather she practices it because she loves the sport. She is also the only person besides En-Xiu who hasn't been defeated by Baicao.
- Bai Jingting as Yu Chuyuan - A former champion in the world of Yuanwudao who was number one. He quit Yuanwudao 4 years ago and is now a young medic. He is a humble and calm person and he too falls for BaiCao. Baicao likes him a bit initially but later realizes that she only sees him as her senior brother and close friend. The reason he quit the sport is revealed later on.
- Ji Chang-wook as Chang An - The original drillmaster at Yun Feng Hall. A cold-hearted person initially, he was the youngest Yuanwudao master and the youngest exceptional player. He was betrayed by his close friend at Yun Feng and kicked out of due to a leg injury due to which he can no longer compete in matches. He then becomes the coach at Song Bai and trains BaiCao so that he could use her for his revenge plan due to her skilled abilities but ends up falling in love with her. However she rejects him, due to her strong feelings for Ruo-Bai and only respects him as her coach and close friend.
Supporting
Song Bai Yuanwudao Center
- Leo Wu as Hu Yifeng
- Tan Songyun as Fan Xiaoying
- Li Ze as Wu Xiuda: He initially disliked Baicao but soon comes to support her and becomes one of her close friends. It is hinted that he developed a crush on Baicao.
- Yu Haoyang as Wu Xiuqin: She too didn't like Baicao at first. Baicao had strong abilities, hence she was worried that Baicao might take her place, but when Baicao cheers and supports her during a match, she comes to like Baicao and supports her.
- Qie Lutong as Song Pingping: She was skeptical of Baicao coming to SongBai initially, but soon becomes her close friend.
- Li Ji as Yin Yin: She too was skeptical of Baicao coming to SongBai initially, but soon becomes her close friend.
- Gao Guangze as Yang Rui: He too didn't like the idea of Baicao being at SongBai, but later he becomes her close friend.
- Li Qiang as Master Yu: Master of Song Bai Yuanwudao Center and Chuyuan's adoptive father. He is a kind hearted person and accepts Baicao as a student of SongBai at her master's request.
Quan Sheng Yuanwudao Center
- Vincent Chiao as Qu Xiangnan
- Yu Tinger as Qu Guangya
- Feng Peng as Zheng Yuanhai
Xian Wu Yuanwudao Center
- Yang Tailang as Shen Bo: He is Ting Hao’s close friend and usually serves as an informative during Baicao’s competitions. He also often talks to Ting Hao about Ting Hao’s love for Baicao and supports it.
- Wang Deshun as Master Wan
- Shi Xiaoqun as Shen Ning
Chang Hai Yuanwudao Center
- Jiang Yiyi as Kim Min-joo
- Zhang Xueying as Li En-xiu
- Sun Lishi as Kim Yishan
- Jang Tae-hoon as Min Shenghao
- Li Jiacheng as Min Zai
Others
- Huang Xiaolin as Mei Ling : A strong competitor whom Baicao defeats in her first Institute match. She was angry for being defeated by Baicao who just a white belt then but becomes her friend after Baicao kindly respects her.
- Ma Chengcheng as Lin Feng : The second strongest female Yuanwudao competitor in China after Tingyi. She was defeated by Baicao in the quarter-finals of the Institute matches. She befriends Baicao after her defeat and supports her later on too.
- Yang Xiaodan as Xiao Ying's mother : A kind hearted woman, who treats Baicao as her own daughter.
- Fu Jia as Xiao Ying's father
- Ma Ruojing as Pu Dongyuan, the person behind the drugs incident regarding Qu Xiangnan.
- Li Haohan as Li Yunyue : The Father of En-xiu, Yin-xiu and Chuyuan.
- Yi Ji as Shen Yuan, Qu Xiangnan's wife and Shen Ning's sister. She loved Baicao as her own daughter and used to look after her in her childhood. She died in childbirth which was just after her husband had been framed for taking drugs.
- Xu Huiwen as Ruo Bai's mother
Production
Soundtrack
Reception
The drama is a commercial success. It maintained the number one spot in its timeslot during broadcast, with an average viewership rating of 1.68% and 2.43%, becoming one of the highest rated Chinese dramas for the year 2015. It also has 2 billion views on Mango TV.Ratings
- Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue
Awards
- 28th Golden Eagle Awards - Outstanding Television Series
- 22nd Huading Awards - Best Newcomer
International broadcast