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By Karenna Johnson

9.0/10

Reset changed my views on Chinese dramas. New and fresh, this drama tips expectations on its head. A must watch for Chinese tv.

Reset is a popular Chinese drama released in early 2022. Starring popular actor, Bai Jing Ting; and younger breakout star Zhao Jin Mai; and among other veteran actors this drama has a star studded cast. 

Reset follows main characters Xiao He Yun and Li Shi Qing as they get caught in a time loop that always ends in disaster. Unknowingly, both Xiao He Yun and Li Shi Qing board bus 45 thinking everything is normal. However, soon they realize that there is a boom aboard the bus, that they are the only ones stuck in a time loop, and that to end the loop they must arrive safely at the destination. 

Xiao He Yun, played by Bai Jing Ting, is a game developer. His counterpart, Li Shi Qing, played by Zhao Jin Mai, is an undergrad at a local university. Unsuspectly, they discover that only together can they find the truth and save everyone on the bus. 

But not only are Xiao He Yun and Li Shi Qing on the bus, but they are joined by seven other people. Filled with diversity of character, the story includes– a live-streamer, a father, a cosplayer, a homeless man, a chemistry teacher, an older woman and lastly a bus driver. Throughout the drama, the two leads undercover the backstory of each unique character. Creating an endearing personal connection that only they remember. After many time loops, police investigations, confusion and discovery the drama finally ends with positive notes. 

This drama is incredibly different from other Chinese productions. Many similar ideas have circulated through American media the past couple of years, for example Happy Death Day, however this concept is new to Chinese entertainment. Although a new type of story to China, it worked. Reset saw huge amounts of popularity after its release. Easily becoming one of the most popular dramas of 2022, and probably the best contemporary drama of the year. Both Chinese domestic audiences enjoyed this drama but also international viewers alike. The freshness of an efficiently employed plot device and the blend of “slice-of-life” story lines and high intensity thriller moments created a true standout this year in C-dramas.

Reset is also unique in its criticism of sexual harassment throughout the drama. The inclusion of a sexual harassment sub-plot and the way it is waved throughout the story, shows an important but also interestingly framed criticism. Reset, took charge of taking a stand on issues like sexual harassment, making it one of the better dramas of this year. 

Reset shows how many aspects of this Chinese tv can be blended well together with fresh new stories. However, the drama can get repetitive due to the nature of the time-loop plot device. This issue of repeating many of the same scenes proved to be the largest challenge of watching this drama. Although the repetitive nature cannot be fully blamed on production, this issue could have been solved by editing out overlap. 

Reset makes big changes in the Chinese entertainment industry. Pushing boundaries and telling stories in new ways, Reset puts itself at one of the top dramas of 2022. Blending old and new, Reset resets expectations of the Chinese entertainment industry.

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