Mini-drama series offers health benefits based on science

What would a modern-day fitness coach do if he suddenly found himself in ancient China, living as an overweight young man? Without any gym equipment, how would he get back in shape using only what he had on hand?

This is the premise of the upcoming mini-drama series, Fat to Fit: An Ancient Weight Revolution, China's first science-based fitness show in its genre. Across 60 fast-paced, humorous episodes, the show embeds systematic, evidence-based knowledge on exercise and nutrition, distinguishing it from the usual roster of CEO fantasies and family-feud melodramas.

The trailer premiered this month at the 3rd China-ASEAN International Conference on Physical Fitness and Health Promotion in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi province, drawing considerable attention. A dedicated booth outside the venue showcased highlight reels, behind-the-scenes clips, and interactive activities, serving as a bridge between academic discussions and accessible, science-driven public education.

Jointly produced by the China Institute of Sport Science, the Culture Media Center of China Comment (Banyuetan), and Migu Digital Media Co, the series aims to inspire broader participation in national fitness initiatives.

Yuan Hong, vice-president of the institute, says she hopes the show will help viewers adopt proper training concepts and understand evidence-based fitness methods. "We want to encourage a shift from passive exercise to active participation, and from blind imitation to scientific training," she says.

The protagonist is played by 27-year-old actor Wang Haoxiang, who has previously acted in various genres, including period dramas, time-travel stories, and modern CEO-themed plots, but this is his first fitness-themed project.

"It promotes proper training, fat-loss methods, reasonable eating, and many aspects of everyday wellness. It's scientific, systematic, and also fun," he says.

Wang's background in participating in running events gave him a strong athletic foundation. Although he normally trains with gym equipment, the ancient setting required improvisation — using stones, stone slabs, and other simple objects.

"The movements are still based on modern methods, with squats, stationary running, and carrying weights. They're effective full-body exercises anyone can follow," he says.