Renowned Comedian Pan Changjiang's Mini Series Debut Features Unconventional Love Story
Since its debut on July 8, Jin Ji De Pan Shu (or Uncle Pan Charging Ahead)—the first mini series by renowned Chinese comedian Pan Changjiang—has quickly captured a large audience and, to date, has accumulated over 200 million views.
The series spans 20 episodes and features a mix of engaging elements. Pan Changjiang stars as Pan Sixi, a gym cleaner known as "Uncle Pan." True to his upright character, Pan Sixi regularly calls out the shady sales tactics of fitness coaches and urges customers to make informed choices—much to the annoyance of coach Wu Dazhi. Amid the tension, a wealthy woman named Li Cuihua makes a dramatic entrance, landing a kick that nearly sends Wu Dazhi flying, and soon forms an unexpected romantic connection with Pan Sixi. Thus begins an unconventional love story between a wealthy woman and a 60-year-old cleaner.
As the story unfolds, Pan Sixi is fired for disrupting the gym's business. In response, Li Cuihua confidently declares, "Uncle Pan, I'll support you financially from now on!" With her help, Pan Sixi returns to the countryside and opens Happiness Gym—a no-frills, all-ages fitness center. But their entrepreneurial journey is far from smooth. They have to find ways to attract villagers to sign up for memberships while contending with disruptions from the "old literati" and the troublesome "village bully." Through these challenges, the bond between Pan Sixi and Li Cuihua deepens, and the two eventually become a couple.
Thematically, Jin Ji De Pan Shu centers on middle-aged and elderly entrepreneurship. Pan Sixi invests 200,000 yuan from his retirement savings into the gym, showcasing the passion and determination of older adults pursuing their dreams—an inspiring message that resonates deeply with middle-aged and senior audiences. Meanwhile, Pan Changjiang portrays a stylish elder with a strong digital presence. He uses a tablet to access AI-generated design plans during the gym renovations and organizes creative activities—such as a race-walking version of Werewolf—to attract customers, adding a fresh and humorous twist.
