Cast & Character List
Tong Dawei as Zhang Chi
Zhang Chi was a rising star in the thoracic surgery department of a top-tier hospital. He was known for his skill and ambition. However, his career takes an unexpected turn after a medical incident forces him to transfer to the fast-paced and often chaotic world of the emergency center.
Initially, Zhang Chi struggles to adapt to the demands of emergency medicine. He frequently clashes with his mentor, Qi Ji, a seasoned emergency physician. She is seven years younger than him. Despite their initial friction, Zhang Chi begins to appreciate the unique challenges and rewards of emergency care through his experiences. He develops a deep respect for the work, and his relationship with Qi Ji blossoms into romance.
His commitment is truly tested when a viral pneumonia outbreak hits. Zhang Chi abandons his plans for further studies abroad, choosing instead to remain on the front lines and fight the epidemic alongside his colleagues. Ultimately, he reclaims his professional standing and finds fulfillment in his career, his newfound love, and strengthened bonds with family and friends.
Ren Suxi as Qi Ji
Qi Ji is a highly skilled and experienced emergency physician. Although she is seven years younger than her colleague Zhang Chi, she serves as his mentor, employing a rigorous and demanding teaching style. Qi Ji is known for her exceptional medical expertise and embodies the dedicated, almost heroic spirit characteristic of emergency doctors. Her name, "Qi Ji," is a homophone for "miracle" in Chinese.
As she and Zhang Chi work together, their initial friction gives way to a budding romance. However, their relationship faces significant challenges due to a tragic traffic accident 20 years prior, which created a lasting feud between their families.
Zhang Yuxi as Sun Jiaqi
Sun Jiaqi is the warm and understanding dispatcher at the emergency center. She's the girlfriend of Zheng Bo, and she's incredibly supportive of his entrepreneurial endeavors, even contributing her own savings of 100,000 yuan to help him. However, beneath her gentle exterior lies a vulnerability and a possessive side. Her relationship with Zheng Bo is complicated by his interactions with Chen Xue, creating a complex mix of emotions for Jiaqi.
Liu Yitong as Zheng Bo
Zheng Bo is a dedicated ER doctor known for his easygoing nature and popularity among the hospital staff. Played by Liu Yitong, Zheng Bo is a core member of the emergency medical team. While committed to his work and always striving to do his best in the high-pressure environment of the ER, he finds himself entangled in a complicated romantic situation. He's caught between the enthusiastic advances of Chen Xue and the supportive friendship of Sun Jiaqi. This romantic indecision forms a major part of his storyline and has sparked considerable discussion among viewers.
Wei Tianhao as Xu Chengyuan
Xu Chengyuan is the energetic heart of the emergency medical team. As a young and vibrant emergency doctor, he brings a much-needed dose of optimism and humor to the high-pressure environment of the ER. He's the kind of guy who can crack a joke to ease the tension, even in the middle of a life-or-death situation.
Xu Chengyuan is a close colleague and good friend to Zhang Chi, offering unwavering support and encouragement whenever Zhang Chi faces setbacks. He's a true idealist when it comes to emergency medicine, with a particular passion and skill for trauma care. He is known to fight for every second to save his patients.
Adding a touch of youthful romance to the series, Xu Chengyuan has a playful, flirtatious dynamic with the team's dispatcher, Sun Jiaqi. Beyond the budding romance, his dedication to his profession highlights the pure passion and spirit of the younger generation of emergency medical professionals.
Xu Shendong as Chen Xue
Chen Xue is the heart and soul of the hospital – everyone's go-to "big sister." As an ER nurse, she's warm, direct, and incredibly caring. Because of a lonely upbringing, she's formed a strong, almost sibling-like bond with Zheng Bo, one of the younger doctors. Chen Xue is always looking out for him. She goes above and beyond, not just for her patients, but also taking a personal interest of the well-being of the younger doctors on staff. When Zheng Bo faces setbacks, like his failed business venture, Chen Xue is his steadfast friend and supporter, even quietly helping him out financially when he needs it most.
Jiang Yi as Zhang Beihai
Zhang Beihai is a pivotal character in "The Top Speed," representing the pioneering generation of emergency medicine in China. He's the father of Zhang Chi, and their complex, evolving relationship forms a significant emotional arc throughout the series.
As one of China's first emergency responders, Zhang Beihai's early career in the 1980s saw him navigating the streets on a tricycle, equipped with only basic medical tools, to save lives. This highlights his dedication and resourcefulness in the face of limited resources. He is a pioneer of China's emergency medical services.
Even after retirement, Zhang Beihai remains deeply involved in the field, serving as a consultant and mentor. His guiding principle, "the patient's needs are paramount," underscores his unwavering commitment to his profession.
The relationship between Zhang Beihai and his son, Zhang Chi, is initially strained. However, their bond deepens as the series progresses. When Zhang Chi faces a major setback due to a medical accident, it's Zhang Beihai who provides crucial guidance, drawing upon his own experiences with life-and-death situations to help his son regain his footing. Their intergenerational dialogues offer a profound sense of the legacy and evolution of emergency medical practices.
Lan Xi as Qin Shuhua
Qin Shuhua is the mother of Zhang Chi and the wife of Zhang Beihai. A legendary figure in the medical world, she was a top cardiac surgeon who became a department head at the exceptionally young age of 35. However, the intense pressure of her work, combined with her perfectionist tendencies, took a heavy toll.
Qin Shuhua struggled with bipolar disorder, oscillating between brilliance and episodes of instability. Her suicide serves as a major turning point in Zhang Chi’s life. The surgical notes she left behind become crucial clues for her son as he attempts to uncover the truth behind a medical incident from the past. Qin Shuhua's tragic story highlights not only the psychological struggles of medical professionals but also serves as a metaphor for the healthcare industry's neglect of its practitioners' mental well-being.
Liu Guanlin as Sun Yimo
Sun Yimo is a complex and ambitious character driven by a troubled past. Witnessing his father's imprisonment due to medical corruption during his childhood, Yimo developed a conflicted relationship with wealth and power. He's drawn to the control that resources can provide, believing he can achieve his ideal of "efficient healthcare," but he finds himself increasingly entangled in a web of power struggles.
His relationship with Qi Ji is a central source of tension – they are both rivals and confidants. Although there is conflict between the two, Yimo is ultimately moved by Qi Ji's unwavering dedication to her patients during a public health crisis. This pivotal moment leads him to make a crucial decision, becoming a key figure in exposing a major medical conspiracy.
Adding to his personal life, Yimo has long been neighbors with Qin Shuhua. He harbors romantic feelings for her and planned to confess his love after her college graduation. However, she ultimately chooses Zhang Beihai, adding a layer of unrequited love to Yimo's story.
