The hidden depths of esports players

Peng, who was 23 at the time, made a concerted effort to support the emotional well-being of his teammates, but struggled to perform at his best during the selection trials.

"Peng is from Chongqing and was raised by his grandmother. He worked in a hotpot kitchen to save the 2,000 yuan ($275.8) he needed to buy his first smartphone, and start his esports career," Ni says.

"He was determined," she continues. "After facing failure or emotional setback, many people struggle to bounce back, and their negativity affects others, but Peng didn't let that happen. When he was cut from the national team, he said, 'It's OK. I did my best. I'll try again next time.' Chen and Peng's stories are relatable — they poured everything into something they care about. There's no such thing as a perfect life, but they give it their all, every time."

The two share a parallel career path, both entering the professional esports world in the same year — one as a film director, the other as a King Pro League player.

Ni worked on shows for the Olympics, World Cup, and the UEFA Champions League and began creating esports content in 2017.

Like many others, she initially thought of the players as little more than talented gamers, but after seven years, she came to realize they display aspects that the outside world often overlooks, from their resilience in the face of youthful tribulations to their transformative journeys.