The Whirlwind Girl

Synopsis

Season 1: Qi Baicao (Hu Bingqing), passionate about the martial arts sport Yuanwudao since childhood, loses her parents in a fire and is adopted by Qu Xiangnan, a disgraced former world champion. Determined and righteous, she trains hard to become a professional Yuanwudao athlete, aiming to clear her teacher’s name. Along her journey, she meets loyal friendly senior Ruo Bai (Yang Yang), caring but mysterious medic Yu Chuyuan (Bai Jingting), playful Fang Tinghao (Chen Xiang) and fierce rival Fang Tingyi (Zhao Yuanyuan).

Season 2: After senior Ruo Bai’s left, everyone at Songbai Dojo was deeply affected, especially Baicao (An Yuexi), who tried to stay strong for the team. To promote Yuanwudao, the American Fengyun Dojo organized a beauty contest. Baicao participated to qualify for the city youth competition, where she met Coach Shen Xi. Meanwhile, Yu Chuyuan, staying in America, arranged for a mysterious man, Chang An (Ji Chang-wook), to become the coach at Songbai Dojo.

Cast

Main: Season 1

Hu Bingqing as Qi Baicao: A humble, hardworking girl who loves Yuanwudao, she rises from white belt to champion, earning the title “The Whirlwind Girl.”

Yang Yang as Ruo Bai: Baicao’s stoic yet kind senior at Song Bai, he sees her potential early on and quietly supports her journey. Though he hides his love for her, she later realizes he holds a special place in her heart.

Chen Xiang as Fang Tinghao: An international Yuanwudao champion, confident and flirtatious but kind-hearted, he falls for Baicao after admiring her skill. Though he loves her deeply, she sees him only as a respected friend and senior.

Bai Jingting as Yu Chuyuan: A former Yuanwudao champion turned medic, he is calm and humble. He falls for Baicao, who initially admires him but later sees him only as a close friend. His reason for leaving the sport is revealed later.

Zhao Yuanyuan as Fang Tingyi: Tinghao’s sister, and Yuanwudao champion, jealous of Baicao but later supports her. They humble each other, sharing respect through rivalry.

Main: Season 2

An Yuexi as Qi Baicao: After her mentor leaves, she stays strong and joins a Fengyun Dojo beauty contest to qualify for the city youth competition, where she meets Coach Shen Xi.

Ji Chang-wook as Chang An: The former youngest Yuanwudao master, betrayed and injured, he becomes Song Bai’s coach. He trains Baicao for revenge but falls in love with her.

Supporting

Leo Wu as Hu Yifeng: Ruo Bai’s lazy-looking but talented dorm mate, he often bickers with Xiaoying and eventually falls for her. A good friends with Baicao.

Tan Songyun as Fan Xiaoying: Baicao’s cheerful best friend who supports her always. She first likes Ruo Bai but later falls for Yifeng, with whom she often bickers.

Li Ze as Wu Xiuda: He initially disliked Baicao but soon supports her and becomes a close friends, hunting a crush on Baicao.

Yu Haoyang as Wu Xiuqin: At first, she disliked Baicao, fearing she’d be replaced. But after Baicao’s support during a match, she grows to like her.

Qie Lutong as Song Pingping: She is initially skeptical of Baicao coming to SongBai, but soon became 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.

Vincent Chiao as Qu Xiangnan: Baicao’s master and Guangya’s father, a former world champion banned after a drug framing. Baicao alone believes in his innocence and fiercely defends his honor.

Yu Tinger as Qu Guangya: Qu Xiangnan’s daughter, outwardly cold but kind, and Baicao’s caring childhood friend.

Feng Peng as Zheng Yuanhai: Current Master of Quan Sheng Yuanwudao Center.

Soundtrack

Reception

Season 1: It was a commercial success, consistently maintaining the number one spot in its timeslot during its broadcast; it achieved an average viewership rating of 1.69% in CSM50 and 2.43% in Nationwide, making it one of the highest rated Chinese dramas in 2015. It garnered 2 Billion viewership on Mango TV.

Season 2: It achieved an average viewership rating of 1.09%.

Production

Season 1: Xu Jiao was originally assign to portray Qi Baicao, however she withdrew due to health issues; later Hu Bingqing assumed the role. The filming took place from April to July 2015 in Changsha, and some scenes were shot in South Korea. It received licence to broadcast 32 episodes.

Season 2: An Yuexi replaces Hu Bingqing as the female lead, Baicao, due to scheduling issues, joining the original cast alongside Ji Chang-wook. Yang Yang withdraw too citing scheduling overlap. It received licence to broadcast 36 episodes.

Ratings

Highest ratings are marked in red, lowest ratings are marked in blue

Season 1: