Reset (2022) 开端
Directed by Sun Molong, Liu Hongyuan and Lao Suan, starring Bai Jingting and Zhao Jinmai.
Watched 20 - 22 October 2024 — 15 episodes (VIKI PASS)
*Chose this sci-fi series because of the appealing story reminiscent of the film Groundhog Day and the fact that it is so well-received and is currently ranking second place on the list Top 100 Must-Watch Chinese Dramas on My Drama List.
*I like the story of two youngsters who find themselves in a seemingly never-ending time loop, stuck on a public bus that's about to explode. Zhao Jinmai as Li Shiqing (a college student) and Bai Jingting as Xiao Heyun (a game designer) make a great couple and I liked their chemistry. The acting is good and Bai Jingting performs especially well in the episode where he thinks he killed someone. The connection between the main couple leads to romance and I liked their sweet kiss in the final episode.
*Show has only 15 episodes of approximately 45 minutes each and I binged it in three days. It's thrilling and makes one curious how the story will develop. Every time Li Shiqing and Xiao Heyun fall asleep or die because of the explosion and re-enter the time loop, they gain more information, and with their increasing knowledge they hope they can eventually prevent the accident. I hadn't expected the lead couple to become prime suspects in the bus explosion case and thought this was a nice plot element.
*What I really liked here is the depiction of the police force. The officers don't resort to pressuring the suspects or unnecessary bullying, they are calm and civil. I especially love the kindhearted and friendly Chief Detective (Liu Yijun as Zhang Cheng). I was glad he didn't die in the ultimate loop. Also the female Director is friendly.
*I think it's a shame we know so little of the main couple's backstory. I was waiting for more to be revealed but it never came. Xiao Heyun shows health problems while being in the time loops, even spit blood, and it seemed he got weaker because of the loops. Probably after the final loop his health came back but I'm not sure and it was never explained.
*I didn't like how there was too much time dedicated to the culprits. They took a lot of screen time away from our main couple. Their backstory also messed up the pace of the story and I almost felt like fastforwarding. It also frustrated me how in the last part of the last episode too much time was given to the bus passengers and our main couple suffered from lack of screen time again. Everything was tied up with a neat bow, I think a bit too neat and happy. Still, I'm glad Li Shiqing and Xiao Heyun get their happy ending too and really become a romantic couple.
*I like the song My Only, sung by Zhou Shen.
*In any case, this show is well worth your time, and it was nice to see a different type of C-drama.