The Whirlwind Girl
| Industry | Television production |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Television drama series |
The Whirlwind Girl () is a Chinese martial arts TV drama from 2015, featuring Hu Bingqing and Yang Yang in lead roles. Based on the novel by Ming Xiaoxi, it debuted on Hunan TV on 7 July 2015. The series' popularity paved the way for a follow-up season in 2016, titled The Whirlwind Girl 2, starring An Yuexi and Ji Chang-wook.
Synopsis
- Season 1: Qi Baicao (Hu Bingqing) has nurtured a passion for Yuanwudao since she was young. After losing her parents in a tragic fire, she is taken in by Qu Xiangnan, a disgraced ex-world champion. With strong determination and a sense of justice, she pursues professional Yuanwudao training to restore her mentor’s honor. Along her journey, she encounters the loyal senior Ruo Bai (Yang Yang), compassionate medic Yu Chuyuan (Bai Jingting), lively Fang Tinghao (Chen Xiang), and formidable rival Fang Tingyi (Zhao Yuanyuan).
- Season 2: Following Ruo Bai’s exit, the Songbai Dojo confronts numerous difficulties. Baicao (An Yuexi) remains steadfast for the team’s sake. To boost Yuanwudao’s visibility, the American Fengyun Dojo hosts a beauty contest; Baicao joins to qualify for the city youth tournament and crosses paths with Coach Shen Xi. Meanwhile, Yu Chuyuan brings in Chang An (Ji Chang-wook) as a new coach at Songbai Dojo.
Seasons
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere | Finale | |||
| 1 | 32 | 7 July 2015 | 26 August 2015 | |
| 2 | 36 | 20 July 2016 | 15 September 2016 | |
Main: Season 1
- Hu Bingqing as Qi Baicao: A dedicated Yuanwudao athlete who progresses from novice to champion, earning the nickname “The Whirlwind Girl.”
- Yang Yang as Ruo Bai: Baicao’s reserved yet supportive senior who recognizes her talent and quietly encourages her development.
- Chen Xiang as Fang Tinghao: An international Yuanwudao titleholder, confident and flirtatious, who admires Baicao’s abilities and harbors deep feelings for her.
- Bai Jingting as Yu Chuyuan: A former champion turned medical practitioner, calm and modest, providing steadfast support to Baicao as a close confidant.
- Zhao Yuanyuan as Fang Tingyi: Sister to Tinghao and rival champion; initially envious but later grows to respect Baicao.
Main: Season 2
- An Yuexi as Qi Baicao: After her mentor’s departure, she remains resolute and enters the Fengyun Dojo beauty pageant to secure a spot in the city youth contest, where she meets Coach Shen Xi.
- Ji Chang-wook as Chang An: Once the youngest Yuanwudao master before betrayal and injury, he assumes coaching duties at Song Bai Dojo. He trains Baicao seeking vengeance but eventually falls in love with her.
Song Bai Yuanwudao Center
- Leo Wu as Hu Yifen: Ruo Bai’s seemingly indifferent yet talented dormitory companion who frequently argues with Xiaoying before developing romantic feelings for her; a close ally of Baicao.
- Tan Songyun as Fan Xiaoying: Baicao’s upbeat best friend and supporter; initially attracted to Ruo Bai but later falls for Yifeng, with whom she has frequent disputes.
- Li Ze as Wu Xiuda: At first hostile toward Baicao but soon becomes supportive and close friends while secretly harboring affection for her.
- Yu Haoyang as Wu Xiuqin: Initially suspicious of Baicao due to fears of being replaced but grows fond of her after receiving support during competitions.
- Qie Lutong as Song Pingping: Initially doubtful about Baicao joining Song Bai but quickly becomes an ally.
- Li Ji as Yin Yin: Also skeptical at first but rapidly befriends Baicao.
- Gao Guangze as Yang Rui: Originally opposed to Baicao’s presence at Song Bai but later befriends her closely.
- Li Qiang as Master Yu: The leader of Song Bai Yuanwudao Center and adoptive father to Chuyuan; a compassionate figure who welcomes Baicao upon her master’s request.
Quan Sheng Yuanwudao Center
- Vincent Chiao as Qu Xiangnan: Baicao’s mentor and father to Guangya, a former global champion who was banned after being falsely accused of doping. Baicao stands alone in passionately defending his integrity.
- Yu Tinger as Qu Guangya: Daughter of Qu Xiangnan, she appears aloof yet kind-hearted, and shares a childhood friendship with Baicao.
- Feng Peng as Zheng Yuanhai: The present Master leading the Quan Sheng Yuanwudao Center.
Xian Wu Yuanwudao Center
- Yang Tailang as Shen Bo: A close companion of Ting Hao and Baicao’s insider for competition information; he supports Ting Hao’s feelings for Baicao.
- Wang Deshun as Master Wan: Head of the Xian Wu Taekwondo Center and maternal grandfather to the Fang siblings.
- Shi Xiaoqun as Shen Ning: An accomplished coach and Guangya’s aunt; initially harbors resentment towards Baicao for honoring Qu Xiangnan but eventually comes to appreciate her abilities.
Chang Hai Yuanwudao Center
- Jiang Yiyi as Kim Min-joo: A straightforward South Korean student at Yuanwudao who initially dislikes Baicao due to family rivalry but later develops admiration for her.
- Zhang Xueying as Lee Eun Soo (Li En-Xiu): Chuyuan’s half-sister and Korea’s leading female player; she respects Baicao and is fond of Ting Hao. She remains undefeated against Baicao and has defeated Fang Tingyi.
- Sun Lishi as Kim Yishan: Father to Min-joo and a rival of Qu Xiangnan, rumored to have employed unethical methods to secure championships.
- Jang Tae-hoon as Min Shenghao: A loyal disciple of Yishan, runner-up at the Youth Championship, close to Min-joo and an admirer of En-xiu.
- Li Jiacheng as Min Zai
Others
- Huang Xiaolin as Mei Ling: Baicao’s first opponent at the Institute competition; initially upset by her loss but later befriends Baicao after witnessing her respectfulness.
- Ma Chengcheng as Lin Feng: China’s second strongest female Yuanwudao competitor after Tingyi; defeated by Baicao in the quarter-finals and subsequently becomes an ally.
- Yang Xiaodan as Xiao Ying's mother: Warm-hearted woman who treats Baicao like her own child.
- Fu Jia as Xiao Ying's father
- Ma Ruojing as Pu Dongyuan: Individual responsible for the drug-related scandal involving Qu Xiangnan.
- Li Haohan as Li Yunyue: Father of En-xiu, Yin-xiu, and Chuyuan.
- Yi Ji as Shen Yuan: Wife of Qu Xiangnan and sister to Shen Ning; cared deeply for Baicao but passed away during childbirth following her husband’s framing.
- Xu Huiwen as Ruo Bai's mother
Season 1:
| Title | Singer | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Burning Youth (Opening theme) |
He Jie | 03:18 |
| That Distance Youth (Ending theme) |
Chen Chusheng | 04:36 |
| Missing Out | Luna Yin | 04:05 |
| Overjoyed | Jin Minqi | 03:19 |
| Lucky to Meet You | Liu Ao | 04:22 |
| Forgot to Hold Your Hand | Milk Coffee | 05:17 |
| Stars | Milk Coffee | 04:11 |
| Fireworks | Chen Xiang | 03:50 |
Season 2:
| Title | Singer |
|---|---|
| Impulse (Opening Theme) |
Luna Yin |
| Just Friends (Ending Theme) |
Chen Xiang |
| The Light of Love | Ben Xi |
| Have You Ever Thought About This? | Xu Hao |
| Stars in My Dreams | Chen Chusheng |
| Failure | Luna Yin |
| I'm Not Afraid of Fighting | Idol School |
| Super Sentai | Idol School |
| The Light of Leaves | Xu Fei |
| If I Can | Hu Xia |
Reception
- Season 1: Enjoyed significant commercial achievement, consistently leading its timeslot with an average audience rating of 1.69% (CSM50) and 2.43% (Nationwide), placing it among the top-rated Chinese dramas in 2015. Mango TV reported over 2 billion views for this season.
- Season 2: Registered an average viewer rating of 1.09%.
Production
Season 1: Xu Jiao was initially cast as Qi Baicao but withdrew due to health concerns; Hu Bingqing subsequently assumed the role. Filming took place between April and July 2015 across locations in Changsha and South Korea. This season was authorized for 32 episodes.
Season 2: An Yuexi replaced Hu Bingqing as Baicao because of scheduling conflicts, joining returning cast member Ji Chang-wook. Yang Yang exited the project citing overlapping commitments. Season 2 received a license for 36 episodes.
Ratings
Peak ratings are denoted in red, while the lowest ratings appear in blue
- Season 1:
| China Hunan TV Premiere Ratings (CSM50) | |||||
| Episodes | Air Date | Rating (%) | Audience Share (%) | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | July 7, 2015 | 1.200 | 5.920 | 1 | |
| 3-4 | July 8, 2015 | 1.159 | 6.189 | 1 | |
| 5-6 | July 14, 2015 | 1.215 | 6.898 | 1 | |
| 7-8 | July 15, 2015 | 1.501 | 8.064 | 1 | |
| 9-10 | July 21, 2015 | 1.664 | 8.951 | 1 | |
| 11-12 | July 22, 2015 | 1.778 | 9.507 | 1 | |
| 13-14 | July 28, 2015 | 1.736 | 9.246 | 1 | |
| 15-16 | July 29, 2015 | 1.733 | 9.068 | 1 | |
| 17-18 | August 4, 2015 | 1.725 | 9.129 | 1 | |
| 19-20 | August 5, 2015 | 1.781 | 9.111 | 1 | |
| 21-22 | August 11, 2015 | 1.605 | 8.720 | 1 | |
| 23-24 | August 12, 2015 | 2.000 | 10.089 | 1 | |
| 25-26 | August 18, 2015 | 1.950 | 10.335 | 1 | |
| 27-28 | August 19, 2015 | 2.150 | 10.940 | 1 | |
| 29-30 | August 25, 2015 | 1.879 | 10.022 | 1 | |
| 31-32 | August 26, 2015 | 1.904 | 9.371 | 1 | |
| Nationwide Ratings | |||||||
| Episodes | Air Date | Rating (%) | Audience Share (%) | Position | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | July 7, 2015 | 1.58 | 10.30 | 1 | |||
| 3-4 | July 8, 2015 | 1.66 | 10.96 | 1 | |||
| 5-6 | July 14, 2015 | 1.89 | 12.69 | 1 | |||
| 7-8 | July 15, 2015 | 2.19 | 13.79 | 1 | |||
| 9-10 | July 21, 2015 | 2.56 | 16.14 | 1 | |||
| 11-12 | July 22, 2015 | 2.46 | 15.26 | 1 | |||
| 13-14 | July 28, 2015 | 2.44 | 15.02 | 1 | |||
| 15-16 | July 29, 2015 | 2.50 | 15.49 | 1 | |||
| 17-18 | August 4, 2015 | 2.68 | 16.55 | 1 | |||
| 19-20 | August 5, 2015 | 2.58 | 15.88 | 1 | |||
| 21-22 | August 11, 2015 | 2.55 | 16.58 | 1 | |||
| 23-24 | August 12, 2015 | 2.82 | 17.33 | 1 | |||
| 25-26 | August 18, 2015 | 2.78 | 17.66 | 1 | |||
| 27-28 | August 19, 2015 | \2\.82\ | \17\.77\ | 1 | |||
|}
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 28th Golden Eagle Awards | "Best Television Series" | "Season 1" | "Winner" | |
| "China TV Drama Ceremony: Jury Award" | "Best Emerging Actor" | "Bai Jingting" | "Nominee" | ||
| 2016 | "China TV Drama Ceremony: Jury Award" | "Top Television Series" | "Season 2" | "Winner" | |
| "Youth Breakthrough Actor" | "Leo Wu" | "Winner" | |||
| 2017 | 22nd Huading Awards | Outstanding Newcomer in a TV Series | Tan Songyun | Winner |