Comedian Yue Yun鹏 has unintentionally sparked a massive amateur sports trend across China, sending large numbers of first-time players straight to badminton courts after reports claimed the performer shed significant weight through the sport. According to coverage tracked across Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Zhihu, and Bilibili, the fitness wave began in late April when Yue mentioned during a livestream that he was skipping dinner or eating less while playing badminton, leading social media algorithms and secondary reports to attribute a double-digit weight loss entirely to the racquet sport.
Weight Claims and Media Discrepancies Across Platforms
The reported weight loss figures span a wide range depending on the timeline and media source. Initial reports from early April noted that Yue had lost 8 catties (about 4 kilograms) while waiting for a drama role to start. By an April 27 livestream covered by Elephant News, the routine was explicitly tied to reduced evening meals and badminton sessions. During an August 8 concert in Hefei, Yue stated that he had returned to the same 160-jin (80-kilogram) weight he weighed when he first entered Demayunshe in 2004. A few days later at an August 11 event in Nanjing, local coverage by the Yangtse Evening Post reported that several months of badminton combined with dietary control resulted in a loss of over 20 jin (10 kilograms). However, alternative write-ups published the same day by Litchi News cited a peak weight of nearly 200 jin with a total drop of 40 jin, adding the detail that the performer carries his badminton gear to all performance venues. Later social media posts in August and October continued to circulate the 40-jin figure as his total drop from peak to current size.
Dietary Adjustments and Practical Fitness Methods
Fitness analysts and community users examining the routines point out that the results stem from a basic caloric deficit rather than any unique metabolic properties of badminton. According to community discussions on Zhihu and Weibo, Yue’s regimen relies on playing three to four times a week, eliminating evening milk tea and late-night snacks, and sticking to daytime meals supplemented by cucumbers or apples during hunger spikes. While fitness participants on Xiaohongshu noted that replicating the routine does not guarantee identical results—with some pointing out that lower-body muscle definition does not necessarily equate to reduced leg girth—nutrition and lifestyle variables vary significantly by schedule. Observers note that while individuals with steady daytime schedules can adjust evening meal sizes, night-shift workers or those prone to gastrointestinal issues are better served by replacing late-night snacks with physical activity rather than skipping meals entirely.
Amateur Skill Level and Brand Ambassadorship
Online community evaluations of Yue’s playing technique characterize his skill level as advanced beginner to intermediate. Early video breakdowns of his matches noted unorthodox grips—jokingly compared by social media users to a flyswatter style—though later footage showed improved mechanics during an August 11 exhibition match in Nanjing alongside professional men’s doubles player Zheng思维. Despite questions regarding his technical proficiency from traditional club players, his everyday playing style and history of starting the sport to accompany his daughter directly mirror the demographic profile of typical recreational players. This mass-market resonance prompted VICTOR to sign him as a brand ambassador, marking the company’s first cross-over partnership with an entertainment celebrity outside of professional athletes on Team VICTOR.
Market Response and Equipment Pricing Realities
The official partnership triggered a surge in consumer interest across shopping platforms for gear tagged as celebrity models, particularly the Victor Xiaotiezhu EX (Little Iron Hammer EX) series. Social media tags frequently associate the racket with the comedian, though official manufacturer product lines have not released a dedicated co-branded model bearing his name. Retail pricing for entry-level lightweight rackets has drawn heavy scrutiny online. While flagship online storefronts list beginner equipment near 200 RMB, comparison shoppers on platforms like JD.com and Taobao have reported securing similar entry-level offensive rackets for roughly 120 to 130 RMB after applying promotional discounts. Community guides emphasize that buyers should approach purchases based on specifications—such as flexible shafts and large sweet spots suitable for beginners—rather than celebrity endorsements.
Startup Expenses and Equipment Replacement Timeline
Equipment discussions within sports communities emphasize that recreational players typically transition away from rental gear within the first month of regular play. Startup expenses outlined by gear enthusiasts generally break down into specific cost categories for beginners entering the sport. Standard entry-level rackets recommended in community forums range between 200 and 400 RMB, with popular models including the Victor Challenger 9500 and the Xiaotiezhu series. Additional recurring expenses include string maintenance, replacement grips, and appropriate court footwear designed for lateral movement rather than running shoes, which risk ankle injuries during sudden stops. Indoor court booking fees, particularly during peak autumn and winter seasons, represent a steady ongoing cost managed by sharing court rentals among fixed groups of hitting partners.
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