Ping Pong (TV series)
| Industry | Television drama |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | TV drama series |
Ping Pong () is a Chinese TV drama from 2021 featuring Bai Jingting and Timmy Xu in leading roles. The narrative centers on elite table tennis athletes aiming to compete on the global stage. It made its debut on iQIYI on 9 March 2021.
The series earned a spot in the "Top 100 Chinese TV Drama Satisfaction Survey" at the 32nd Huading Awards. Building on this acclaim, the film Ping Pong: The Triumph premiered on 17 February 2023.
Synopsis
On the competitive ping pong scene, two young men stand out: Xu Tan, who is physically frail but driven, and Yu Kenan, a gifted yet rebellious player. Despite their differing temperaments, their athletic paths run parallel during a significant period for Chinese table tennis. Xu Tan’s journey begins as a way to boost his health under his grandfather’s guidance, quickly gaining prominence through notable growth. Yu Kenan, hailing from a prestigious lineage, comes to understand that he still has much to master. United by their ambitions and national pride, they confront each other in the most decisive tournament of their careers.
Main
- Bai Jingting as Xu Tan
- Timmy Xu as Yu Kenan
Supporting
- Yu Lang as Lei Lei
- Hong Bingyao as Zhang Caiwei
- Wan Guopeng as Liu Shi
- Bian Yiming as Fu Jingchun
- Qin Yijia as Xiao Jun
- Liu Yitie as Lu Xiaobei
- Dong Chengming as Lin Haozhi
- Yi Cheng as Zhang Chen
Soundtrack
| Title | Performer | Lyricist/Composer |
|---|---|---|
| "Glory Ping Pong" (Theme Song) | Bai Jingting, Timmy Xu | Ren Yajing, Li Yan, Hu Haobo |
| "Youth Like You" (Ending Theme) | Unine | Ren Yajing, Lü Qing, Liu Suyi |
| "Dream Chaser" (Interlude) | Hu Xia | Ren Yajing, Li Yan, Hu Haobo |
| "One Left, One Right“ (Interlude) | Bai Jingting | Ren Yajing, Li Yan, Lan Tianxiao |
| "Rainbow Arc" (Interlude) | Timmy Xu | Shi Xiaopeng |
| "Our Ten Years" (Interlude) | Zhou Yan | Ren Yajing, Sun Wei |
| "Hot Boy" (Interlude) | Zhou Yan, Timmy Xu | Zhou Yan, Lao Dao |
Production
The filming took place between November 2018 and May 2019 in Shenzhen. For his role, Bai Jingting underwent weight gain and rigorous table tennis training to authentically perform all sport-related scenes personally. In 2023, Timmy Xu returned to portray his character again in the movie Ping Pong: The Triumph.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient/Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2nd Screen Integration Communication Ceremony | Vibrant Actors on Screen | Bai Jingting | Won |
| 32nd Huading Awards | Top 100 Chinese TV Series Satisfaction Survey | Ping Pong | Listed | |
| 2022 | Weibo Movie Night | Potential Actor of the Year | Timmy Xu | Won |
| Weibo TV & Internet Video Summit 2022 | Breakout Actor of the Year | Won |