The Girl in Armor

Young and vibrant, united by passion.

Seizing the last remnants of summer, the Zhu Brothers bring a refreshing wave of coolness. On August 23 at 8 p.m., the youth campus romance series “The Girl in Armor,” produced by iQIYI, Straw Bear Pictures, and ABB Fine Products, with Yang Bei and Feng Le as producers, directed by Yu Zhongzhong, and featuring post-production contributions from the Zhu Brothers, will premiere on iQIYI—let the icy‑cold summer begin.

Two episodes will be released every Sunday through Tuesday, with VIP members getting early access to six episodes. Come and experience the unique allure of ice hockey!

Chasing dreams on the ice, growing toward the sun.

We always stumble and falter through confusion and exploration, only to eventually earn the label of “growth.” It is precisely those footsteps—of falling down and rising again—that make youth so profoundly precious. “The Girl in Armor” tells the story of just such a group of young men and women who fearlessly strive for their dreams. This time, we turn our gaze to the ice hockey rink.

The upbeat and sunny “carp” girl, Sang Tian (played by Chen Yao), pretends to be a boy in order to pursue her dream on the ice, sharing a dorm room with the mischievous “prankster boy,” Wen Bing (played by Guan Hong). From there, their chaotic yet endearing life together begins. Despite their initial rivalry, the two gradually find themselves drawn to each other’s hardworking, ambitious natures—and ultimately join forces to realize their shared “ice hockey dream.” The relentless pursuit of victory and an unwavering commitment to the spirit of competitive sports run throughout the series.

Multi‑threaded romance, sweet sparks fly.

Young love is always pure and beautiful; beyond the fiery thrill of competition, the warmth hidden beneath the armor also tugs at the heart. In the series, six charming young men and women forge unique chemistry through their shared passion for ice hockey—some are bold and decisive in pursuing love, others quietly care with understated devotion, and still others form endearing yet awkward pairings. Three pairs of stunningly good‑looking couples will have you lost in sweet romance from start to finish.

Crafted with匠心, committed to “great sound”

Sound plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative; well-crafted audio not only helps characters convey their emotions but also extends the dialogue beyond the frame, lending the story greater depth and richness. As a youth drama centered on competitive sports, the aesthetic of sound—whether it’s the sharp impact of hard rubber sticks, the gliding rhythm of ice skates, or the visceral echoes of physical contact—forms an essential part of what makes a match compelling and draws the audience into the action. Now, let’s hear from Zhu’s Sound Director about the subtle creative touches behind this series’ sound design.

On the sonic stylistic direction of the series

In terms of sound design, we drew inspiration from the iconic basketball anime Slam Dunk, which we see as our humble tribute to this masterpiece.

Details of the sound design

During the post‑production sound design for “The Girl in Armor,” we requested from the production team a set of ice‑hockey gear used during filming—complete with protective suits, sticks, helmets, and more. All the Foley sounds were captured using these authentic props, preserving their natural texture, which is why you can hear that distinct “feel” in the audio.

On the Challenges of Sound Production

The greatest challenge in the show’s sound design lies in its abundance of athletic‑action sequences, where a single shot can simultaneously feature the sounds of a bat striking a ball, skates gliding across the ice, athletes, spectators, and referees. Achieving a seamless integration of these diverse audio elements to serve the narrative demands exceptionally high standards for mix‑down.

After repeated discussions, we opted to apply the “highlight‑focusing” principle. For instance, during critical moments when the score is on the line, we accentuate and amplify the timbre and rhythm of the puck’s rapid spin while subtly diminishing all other sounds in the frame. This attenuation isn’t a simple matter of boosting or muting; rather, it involves nuanced tonal adjustments at varying levels. By meticulously calibrating each element and striving for perfection, we aim to highlight the greatest allure of competitive sports—the inherent unpredictability of the outcome—leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and preserving room for imagination.

TV Series Watchlist

Finally, after reading the synopsis above, don’t forget to claim your very own episode‑watching calendar and join the editor in eagerly anticipating the dazzling ice‑skating showdown!