一将功成万骨枯 (Yī jiāng gōng chéng wàn gǔ kū)
“For every champion lie thousands withered bones.” Most of the times, we see only the glory of a champion – an Olympic swimmer, a World Champion gymnast and skater - but we rarely see the struggles, sacrifices, obstacles, pressures, emotional turmoil that each has to endure. This drama brings us behind the scenes and helps us appreciate how such successes come with the price these champions have paid and the sacrifices made.This is a story about setting goals, perseverance, and overcoming failures. It is unexpectedly funny and enjoyable to watch. For the last decades, China has been consistently producing world champions in every sports in particular in table tennis. This drama gives us a peek at how these champions are created. Having played table tennis growing up, I have an affinity for the game and hence have enjoyed watching the matches and prolonged sessions at the table. At the end of each episode, table tennis is being explained in details: the terminologies, techniques, rules, competitions, etc. and I find myself enthralled.
The story depicts two very different characters: Xu Tan (acted by Bai Jing Ting) is scrawny, wimpy and lack of confidence, but kind, humble and friendly; Yu Ke Nan (acted by Xu Wei Zhou aka Timmy Xu), with a powerful athletic physique, is overly confident, arrogant, rebellious, impulsive and hot headed. The story begins when both are 17 years old in 2007, and follows their journey to become champions of the world. This unlikely “ying yang” pair becomes best friends and root for each other especially in their most trying period. Countless times, both get punished but unknown to them, their punishment is actually a form of training that helps them grow, such as raising pigs in a farm and becoming a janitor in a boxing gym. Daily details of the years are well taken care of with changing of technology and apparel over the years, from nameless flip phones to Apple smart phones, from Butterfly sportswear to Nike and Adidas.
The drama dwells deep into the various style of coaching by the national coaches and their relationship with their players. Xu Tan and his coach, Lei Cheng (Liu Zhi Bing), are like father and son. His coach inspires him, helps him discover himself and grow. Yu Ke Nan and his coach, Teng Biao (Wang Jian Xin), are like a pair of good old friends, continue kicking each other’s ass and calling each other names, at the same time, they love and trust each other. There is also a super strict coach who produces top ranking players but such players are also the most unhappy with high injury and burnout rates. Another coach has a soul mate relationship with his player, seeing their own shadows in each other. Every character has its flaws and faces personal obstacles. The development of the characters shows how they overcome their obstacles, grow and succeed.
Acting
Here in this drama, I discover Bai Jing Ting. He nails the role as the wimpy kid that grows to become the world champion. Bai Jing Ting has given us some amazing acting and he is so convincing as a world class table tennis player. Whether it’s his body double or not (I really can't tell), I feel Bai Jing Ting can play the game very well; he has the styles, his actions and shots are perfect. Xu Wei Zhou’s acting here is good too especially when he becomes the adult Yu Ke Nan. Like Bai Jing Ting, his playing of the game is immaculate and convincing, making Yu Ke Nan the most formidable table tennis player in the world. I really love watching them playing the game, and there’s a lot of such scenes to satisfy ping pong fans.
My Verdict
If you’re a sports fan and love table tennis in particular, you’d love this drama as it gives us many amazing real-life games with shots and fantastic camera work. Every smash, every torque, every curve is thrilled to watch and viewers can feel the excitement and satisfaction of the shots perfectly executed.
You’d see how China trains its youth, which is nothing like the western world. The greatest difference is, for the west, winning is for personal glory, whereas for the Chinese, it is for their national pride.
If you have watched “Hikaru No Go” and liked that drama, you may like “Ping Pong Life” too. To be honest, I like “Ping Pong Life” better because I find the character development better and more realistic, and it covers a wider range of three-dimensional characters. I love the part when the two leads begin to build their deeper understanding with each other, they really spend a lot of time, literally tied, together. They learn to feel and trust each other without words and the process in doing so is hilarious and adorable. This process is not captured enough in “Hikaru No Go”.
I really love this drama because it reminds me not to look at the glory of any success. We should not lament why we have not been as successful as others, whether in music, sports or anything else, but rather we should ask ourselves if we are willing to sacrifice everything to achieve success, and that’s the message in this drama.
A wonderful watch. Highly recommended!
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A most compelling story on coming-of-age and overcoming-almost-insurmountable struggles...
This is just the third time that I got to fully finish a full-length Chinese TV Drama where I eagerly looked forward to watching the next episodes not only because of the generally well-written plot and storylines, but also because of the excellent acting and portrayal of characters by the main leads.Xu Tan, angst and expectations-driven, initially evokes a cerebrally calculating but physically weak youth with a generous-to-a fault wholesome, almost naive, personality in the beginning, but then evolves into this emotionally strong, mentally focused, and physically tough athlete who emerges as a champion in his own right. Bai Jing Ting exceptionally and convincingly plays Xu Tan whose remarkable physical transformation and emotional maturity over the years was matched in real life by Bai Jing Ting's physique-change and character portrayal. Xu Tan withstands and emerges triumphant over multiple adversities that life hurls at him: struggles and challenges in his family life, love-life, career, and more importantly, in his relationship with his main rival/friend, Yu Ke Nan. (Bai Jing Ting, also excellently portrays the lead, Xing Ke Lei in "You Are My Hero")
Yu Ke Nan, sternly brought up by his Pingpong-crazed father through rigid training and selfless discipline is a naturally-gifted pingpong athlete whose initial persona is that of a self-assured, arrogant and selfish individual single-mindedly devoted to winning at any cost. Eventually, his personal friendship and professional relationship with the amiable and selfless Xu Tan transforms him. In a sense, while coming from the opposite ends of the personality spectrum that makes them clash often, the differences between the two, their almost parallel career tracks, and their apparent love and respect for each other are what will eventually forge their deep and lifelong friendship. Timmy Xu Wei Zhou perfectly captures the wide-range of emotions that run through the tough but broken and temperamental yet sensitive Yu Ke Nan. Of note, especially, is his charged performance in Episode 43 where he visits and reconciles with his estranged father. (Timmy Xu Wei Zhou was likewise outstanding when he portrayed the challenging role of the pensive and emotionally-conflicted Bai LuoYin in "Addicted").
Over-all, the plot is great, with the scriptwriters carefully establishing the pains, struggles, growth, and maturity of our main protagonists as they journey through their lives. The writer(s) carefully interwove the positive influence of the main supporting characters, especially the masterful approach with which they molded the sagacious, staunch & steady father-figure types of the personal coaches, Lei Cheng (Liu Zhi Bing) and Teng Biao (Wang Jian Xin), respectively for Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan. Another notable figure is that of delightful romantic, Liu Shi (aptly played by Wan Guo Peng) , best friend / teammate / roommate of both Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan. Of last important note is the antagonist character of Coach Zheng Hao (Gao Dong Ping) that superbly stitched and strikingly prototyped the seemingly hopeless and endless struggles of both Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan. On the other hand, the storyline could have been tightened a little by doing away with some unnecessary sub-plots like the post-pingpong career and mischief of Jia Yu, or in tempering some of the overly-written romantic twists.
While primarily a sports drama, the storyline touches deeply to the core of human desires---sentimental reminders about our own hopes and dreams, of our failures and triumphs, of our loves--lost and found, of our disappointments and betrayals, but more importantly of our constant and unquenchable quest for meaning and self-actualization. The more than few superbly written phrases and one-liners about living a more meaningful life makes this series worthy of multiple re-runs.
For even non-sports enthusiasts, the brilliant demonstration of the beautiful game of Pingpong inspires awe, and the most exciting exchange of volleys in many tournament scenes warrant deep admiration for these exceptional table tennis athletes at the peak of their game. An added bonus are the enlightening technical narratives of the game, or mini-glossaries that follow at the end of every episode.
Cinematography is tastefully and greatly done especially showcasing the economic, scientific, and cultural achievements of Modern China as gleaned from depictions of ordinary Chinese life and of China's magnificent cities. Finally, the whole story fully succeeds in the triumphal portrayal of the Chinese Sports programs---the science & rigor involved, and the human & material resources allotted to their perfection, as exemplified by Pingpong, its national sport---particularly timely for the 70th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
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Phenomenal Drama (Esp for the Inexperienced Eye)
I know this drama got some BS on how the actors are not good at pingpong, especially for these supposed Grand Slam (Da Man Guan) achievers, world champions, and Olympians. However, for myself, I greatly enjoyed it and thought they did a pretty good job! The actors aren't actual pingpong players, so of course they're not going to be Olympic-level.Ok, now that aside is done, let's get down to actual business. There's a TLDR if you would like to go there instead.
The story: I think it does a pretty realistic and good job of representing what it's like to be in a sport. I've been there and gone up with injuries (and hid it from my coach too sorry LOL). It creates hateable character, loveable characters, characters you sympathize with. Watching Xu Tan's growth is amazing. Yu Kenan and Xu Tan's relationship is realistic-- there were times they "broke up" and they got back together because they're simply too alike. I adored their relationship.
Watching as Xu Tan and Yu Kenan struggled to get even an opportunity under Coach Zheng was perhaps one of the most painful, but realistic things. Often, you feel qualified but they just won't give you the opportunity; the show executed this very well.
The acting: I don't think anything needs to be said-- they're phenomenal. I adored Liu Shi so much!
Songs: 100% on a playlist for me now :)
TLDR:
Great storyline (very "Ugly Duckling" LOL); acting is phenomenal, as expected from Bai Jingting and Timmy Xu; Music is great, love the songs! They're 'brainwash' songs; Already started rewatching-- HIGHLY RECOMMEND
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我们场上是对手 我们场下是朋友
This drama really show the hardships national players faced throughout their journey to championship. There is only one championship, there can only be one champion yet there are so many people fighting for it. The struggles they faced, injuries they sustained while training and the amount of effort they put in is something we cannot imagine.The ping pong scenes were so well-executed and initially thought it was cgi but saw the behind the scenes video of the actors actually playing like a pro!!
Romance was totally unnecessary in this drama. Sorry to say but I skipped most of the romance scenes. I wished they focused more on the dynamics, teamwork and friendship of the players.
Bai Jingting, Xu Weizhou, Wan Guopeng's acting was outstanding! Other supporting actors was also good in portraying their characters. The only complain I have is Coach Zheng.. his character is so annoying and spiteful in this drama. He have so many players under his care but he only care about the one that is most likely to be a champion. He never once hide his disdain for other players especially Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan. Is this how a coach is supposed to behave?
OST is good!!! My top 2 tracks are:
🎵荣耀乒乓 by. BJT, XWZ
🎵一左一右 by. BJT
Overall, there are quite a few plot holes and unanswered questions despite it having 44 episodes.
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A piece of work defining passion, determination, perseverance, hard work, struggles...
Well i am not a sports person but i thoroughly enjoyed this drama. It shows a realistic picture of life where every one is struggling to reach their ends of rope. In life, we all aim for the top in whatever work of field we choose. Sometimes, we are let down seeing our hard work going down the drain for reasons which are not in our hands. This series shows us what passion is all about. It shows us that even a leader or a top star goes through the same rough journey. All we get to see is their shining victory.For me this series was like a light of hope with dialogues hitting right on the point. Its like if you are stuck someway in the middle of your journey to achieve your goal and need some encouragement then this piece of work is just for you. The way this drama hit me, It shows how dedicated the actors were to the characters they played. For me if i get to see the leads I will identify them as Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan instead of Bai Jingting and Timmy Xu.
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Great show! Totally recommended!
I loved how the story was excuted, it wasn't unrealistic and the actors did a great job at giving away an atmosphere of competition. I'm not a sports fan, let alone a ping pong fam, yet i enjoyed the show quite alot. It was really fun to watch even if you are not into sports!There is romance in the show, but it isn't deeply persued. After all, the show is about people who give everything up to train to become world champions.
I'm already rewatching!! It is really enjoyable to watch!
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Must watch... Especially for Bai JingTing..
Life of athletes is perfectly shown...Also different kind of bonds are shown between a athlete and his personal Coach.
One bond is like father and son, the other like good old friends and many more..
Yu Kenan also faces few challenges before becoming world champion, but later on it's not that hard for him..
On the other hand Xu Tan has to earn everything from scratch, he went through a lot of hardships to achieve his goal. I loved Xu Tan's character, his personality totally changed from a naive boy to a calculative person, and yes hardships in life does change a person..
Loved Bai JingTing's acting..
One more thing I liked is that they didn't give much importance to their love life..
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A lifetime of sacrifices, an enduring friendship
A prince of ping pong meets his match. Arrogant Yu Ke Nan grows up under the pressure of his father to become a world champion in Ping Pong. Meanwhile, reserved Xu Tan's family pressures him to use his brain and talents elsewhere. The two polar opposites personalities meet at the provincial training, and Xu Tan slowly becomes friends with Yu Ke Nan, supporting each other through training. Yu Ke Nan teaches Xu Tan to fight for the things he wants, while Xu Tan teaches him a love for ping pong and drive for self improvement he didn't know he had.The two friends grow up, face extensive mental and physical challenges, and become world athletes, learning to deal with challenges both individually and together. It's a wholesome drama that has you cheering for Xu Tan.
The not so great things:
The main villain (Coach Zheng Hao) gets off quite lightly after lying about and mentally / physically abusing the athletes under his care. It seems like the drama would rather put the coach / mentee relationship on a pedestal than punish bad coaches.
Yu Ke Nan and Xu Tan's romantic storylines were quite boring. I understand why they were included - to nail home that champions often have to deprioritize everything else, including romantic love, to hone their craft.
Set design was pretty cheap. You could tell that the hospital room was the same as Lei Lei's room, just with some different furniture. Same with some of the homes / hotel rooms.
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Ping Pong Life is a great drama
Even it has plot holes but over all is great. But until now I feel bad for Wang Siheng because Xu Tan doesn't love her but acts like he loves Siheng just for make that girl happy. In the end, when I saw Siheng cry, my heart was filled with tears and pain.Timmy Xu is a great actor. He played a role with effort and nailed it. I fell in love for him. He remain me of Li Xian when he plays a role in 'Go Go Squid and Only Side by Side With You'. Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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It's really good drama
Acting is very good almost all the cast. I didn't realise it's a drama some time. Every ep is exiting.. I really appreciate every sportsman out there now..But there are some problems in screen writing
Skill representation was not fpr my satisfactory level..They didn't show how xu tan play mindgames on the table. I didn't see his leadership skills. What happend to ke nan's gf.
Romance is weak. But it's okay. Since focus on mainly brotherhood of two maon leads.but the bromance is also weak. But these are minor problems. You should really give it a try..it worth it.
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A Gripping Drama
I have just watched this and am blown away by the story line, the acting and the music. I am not familiar with the game of ping pong (nor any other sports) but this show has ignited my interest in it. Through the episodes, I am kept on edge during the games and am constantly rooting for the players (actors). However this is not just a show about ping pong. It is about the perseverance and passion of these characters and the hardship they endure to achieve success. If the show is remotely accurate, it gives an insight into how the Chinese athletes train and looking at the kind of discipline and training they are put through, I am not surprised that they are world leaders in these games. The acting is excellent especially the lead actor Xu Tan who is played by Bai Jingting. Through skilled acting, Bai Jingting shows how a young and physically weak teenager develops both physically and mentally into a world class champion. Each character in the show contributes to the richness of the story.Through excellent filming, the excitement of the games is captured. I love the slow-motion capture of the balls.
The show sound tracks captures the mood of the show well and I can listen to these sound tracks over and over again.
Overall an excellent show and I will give it top ratings!
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