Reset

Filler and concerned faces stuck on a time loop

Story: It seems like a complex plot, with each time loop adding more insight towards the 'investigation', but I found the plot to be simplistic and over-reliant on a suspense-driving storytelling mechanism - the time loop. That mechanism didn't do much for me, intellectually, and certainly not emotionally. That mechanism lost value by the following issue: pace.

Pace: Consider episode 15 of 15, 21:27 - 23:00, a scene with just vehicles driving around and sparse, inconsequential dialogue; 90 seconds of no plot or character development; it was about as interesting as looking at my hands for 90 seconds. There are a lot - truly a lot - of scenes throughout the show like this; they are filler. This could easily have been a 6 or 8 episode show, with tighter storytelling pace and keeping our heart rates higher. Instead, it felt like a slow burn detective story despite its design as a thriller. This is one of the most fast-forward-able shows I've ever seen. And in fast forwarding, it's easy to catch what's going on in the plot. Therefore, if you don't want to invest a lot of time, just fast forward a lot. I probably watched the 10 hours of actual content in about 6 hours of viewing time with hardly any issue in comprehension.

Characters: The ML and FL lack depth and are essentially 'tools' for the 'investigation'. We get a little bit of backstory, but there's not much to their characters other than the role they're playing in the 'investigation'. In fact, they are really the investigators using the police to help them solve the puzzle. Early on, it seems character development might happen with Lu Di (the cat dude), who adds interest to the plot. But Lu Di doesn't continue in the loop and returns to being a tool for the plot schematic. The perpetrators actually have the most development. We find out what is driving their terrible choices. Many character motivations are non-compelling and don't make sense. Basically, character development was muted and that limited the following: acting.

Acting: With such limited characters, the actors seemed to do their best, but there wasn't much 'range' of expression. We get a LOT of concerned looking characters, wrinkly foreheads, over and over. I'll try to highlight the best of the best in terms of acting. Liu Tao as Du Ju was understated, but very well done within the narrow design of the character; she was convincing as a poised, mature leader of the investigation team. Liu Yi Jun as 'Uncle' Zhao or 'Old man' Zhao also performed well. Incidentally, Liu Tao and Liu Yi Jun were also cast and performed well in Nirvana in Fire; however, in that show, their characters are deeper and more compelling. These veteran actors show us how skilled they are with their limited Reset character roles. The younger ML and FL have potential, but didn't show a lot of subtlety or range; these are not the best roles to judge their ability. Not for one moment did I feel their pairing to be chemical. Their connection looked and felt, as was written in the plot, forced. None of the acting in Reset was bad, but the limited character depth put a ceiling on what the actors could do.

Because the plot and characters are not well developed or particularly meaningful, I'm left to believe the storytelling mechanism - the time loop - is gimmicky. If the mechanism can enhance story and plot, I'm for it. But in this show, it seemed like the writer wanted to display the clever mechanism more than 'characters' or a meaningful story. It's as if the genesis for the story was "let's do something with a time loop" and that became the central focus of the writing. It wasn't started with an approach like "hey, I've got an interesting story and characters, what if we told it in a fresh way using a time loop".

The music was completely unmemorable. But it wasn't inappropriate either. It sounded like filler. Kudos, at least, for not being cringey or off-vibe.

My emotional satisfaction for this show was basically non-existent, maybe a 1/10. The most emotional I got was feeling bad for the watermelon guy. I rate it 6.5; because from a film craft perspective, it's not bad, it's just narrow. If I time loop back to the start of watching, I would probably pass.

P.S. Respect to bus drivers. They deal with crazy sh*t.

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what a fantastic Drama to start of the year.

Reset has now became one of my fave cdramas of all time. Everything about this drama was just perfect. from the pairing of the main Couple Bai Jing Ting as Xiao He Yun and Zhao Jin Mai as Li Shi Qing, to the plot which i found was soo different from any thing ive seen in Cdramaland.
The drama Tells the story of a young couple died in a bus explosion, they were then revitalised ten minutes before the explosion. Their whole reality became a loop reviving ten minutes before the explosion. They then decided to find out the reason for the explosion and to make sure that the bus reaches its final destination.
In the process of going through the cycle of time and searching for the truth, this drama also focus on some social phenomena and explore real-life issues. This drama also shows us the true meaning of life using the characters experiences, thickness of life, the gesture of survival
I liked how the supporting characters were not used as a tool to support the main Couple but each and every Character in this drama was just utilised very well telling the story of how each character became entagled in the time loop.
This drama also has lowkey love story between Bai Jing Ting and Zhao Hin Mai who both had an amazing chemistry. Every episode also linked soo well together and nothing seems out of place and. This drama was writting very well and produced very well and i think was even better they used the actors own voices.
Must Watch Drama. its a 10/10 for me.

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A Thrilling Adventure

With just 15 episodes, Reset (开端) is truly a fast-paced and thrilling C-drama!

Story:
- I really like the plot of this drama, it is my first time watching something with a time loop and was definitely very refreshing to see in the sea of idol romance dramas.
- Elements in this story reflect on problems in real life. Online bullying was a theme in this drama that I believe is relevant in this day and age. Reset explores the psychological effects of writing snide online remarks as it is one of the factors that propel the whole drama forward.
- I LOVED how we viewers were able to learn more about the other passengers on the bus and understand their lives and the hardships they go through. It was super wholesome, sometimes sad, to learn about their backgrounds. The ending scenes were super sweet! :D
- The cinematography was also really good. Explosions felt pretty realistic and Xiamen (filming location) looks so green and beautiful. (I must say though, when I first started Reset, I found the colours to be way too bright and colourful)
- Con: Because this is a time travel drama, there is repetitiveness and it can feel kind of boring at times. But the action, thrillers and urgent adventures make up for it!
- Con: Xiao He Yun's backstory seemed like it was suddenly just forgotten? I thought his backstory as a game developer would have played a larger role...
- Con: I enjoyed the ending, it was fair and reasonable. However, one more episode wouldn't hurt. It would have been nice to have an explanation for how everything happened and for some relationship progression (ex: relationship with other bus passengers)

Acting:
All the important characters were really good at their roles. Actress Liu Dan who played Tao Ying Hong deserves special praise! It really felt like she was SO SO in character and her emotions and reactions felt so raw and real. Amazing performance!

Music:
Background music was appropriate, and was not distracting. Loved the outro sang by Zhou Shen. He has a beautiful voice.

Rewatch Value:
I don't really like to rewatch entire dramas but I would definitely rewatch snippets on Reset! Since Reset only has 15 episodes around 45 minutes long, it definitely wouldn't be hard to rewatch again (could probably do it in one sitting).

Overall, the story, acting and cinematography/production were a success in my opinion. It is definitely a good watch, especially if you are into sci-fi thrillers that relate to video games (completing missions and resetting if you fail).

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This is a really solid time loop thriller with a great cast & 15 episodes was the perfect length. I wouldn't have expected to see Bai Jing Ting and Zhao Jin Mai paired together, but they were a great fit for their characters & I enjoyed seeing how they grew individually and together. Their characters are both relatable, ordinary young people so when they try to change their fates each time, you really feel that you'd perhaps act similarly.

I enjoyed watching this so much that I didn't wait for the English subtitles and watched new episodes as soon as they were out. Episodes 5-7 were a bit slow, but afterwards the pacing picked up again. Liu Yi Jun had a really memorable performance here and I loved every moment that he was on screen. I really liked his (Too bad Liu Tao's role wasn't as memorable.)

This isn't a 10 for me because there were some unanswered questions (nothing too major) and some aspects I wanted to see more of, but overall I found this to be a very satisfying watch!

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EXCELLENT! Highly recommended.

Reset, a drama that premiered in 2022, tells the intriguing story of two young individuals, Li Shi Qing and Xiao He Yun, who find themselves trapped in a time loop amidst a chaotic scenario. They desperately try, in many frustrating ways, to save all the passengers of Bus 45 from an inevitable and imminent explosion. In just 15 episodes, each around 40 minutes long, the show presents a compelling race against time without ever becoming monotonous. It's thrilling from start to finish, as each episode deepens our understanding of the dynamics inside that bus. Initially, the explosion is believed to be caused by a collision between the bus and a fuel truck, but as the loops repeat, the situation becomes more complex. What seemed like an accident gradually turns into a planned crime, raising new questions: who is behind the explosion? What is their motivation? These questions drive the protagonists to investigate, observe the passengers, and gather information from the local police in a frantic attempt to break the loop and prevent the tragedy.

POSITIVE PONTS:

1. The time loop concept is one of the most fascinating and engaging aspects of the plot. What’s particularly interesting is that the loop restarts every time the protagonists die, fall asleep, or when the clock strikes midnight. This creates a constant tension, with the characters in a literal race against time, trying to prevent the catastrophe with every new cycle. This device creates a sense of urgency that keeps us hooked, as with each repetition, more clues and details about the bus's situation and the surrounding events are revealed.

2. The evolution of the relationship between Li Shi Qing and Xiao He Yun is one of the central and best-developed elements of the series. Their bond grows naturally and touchingly as they face extreme stress and tension together. How they deal with feelings such as fear, frustration, sadness, and even physical and emotional exhaustion is portrayed realistically, adding depth to their characters. Even in a supernatural context, the way they respond to adversity makes them relatable to the audience, making the story emotionally captivating.

3. The interaction between the protagonists and the local police also stands out as a crucial part of the narrative. The interrogation scenes are intense, conveying the characters' anguish as they try to uncover the truth before the loop restarts. This dynamic creates an atmosphere of urgency, constantly testing the line between distrust and collaboration.

4. The dynamic inside the bus is another highlight. The show brilliantly explores how small changes in the protagonists' actions can lead to different reactions from the passengers. This not only helps us understand the personalities and internal conflicts of each secondary character but also encourages reflection on how our choices, no matter how small, can impact those around us.

5. The performances were excellent. The actors conveyed their emotions convincingly and realistically, without exaggeration, and the script was well-crafted and structured, ensuring that all the events necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the drama were included.

OVERALL VIEW:

Reset stands out for its intelligent and well-executed plot, earning a 10/10 rating. Highly recommended.

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Best modern thriller sci fi chinese drama ever

I love the male lead for starter ,, I watched ping pong drama of him and my hero ,, he was amazing ,, he looks like a kid but he has deep voice and strong charisma also he choses his dramas really well ,, his acting is amazing
secondly
This drama has familiar concept to American movies about time loops but very unique perspective of how to handle the concept not like the American movies ,,, It's very realistic when it comes to character's personal lives and how they live it
it's not overly dramatic nor light,,, it has very good balance between fiction and reality ,, you won't feel detached from the story
actually i experienced some of the things that happened in this drama in real life ,, the exact same things and I'm not talking about the timpe loop of course LOL
It will keep you on the edge of your seat not knowing what's going to happen in the next loop ,, the thrilling part done right
also it's very fast paced not one dull or boring moment ,, no wasting times in this drama by nonsensical matters ,, every thing has a purpose and related to the overall story ,, the writer didn't put any fillers into it
thirdly
the characters were amazing even the secondary characters ,, they aren't secondary at one or two episodes ,, they had the light shining on them as the leads in their own story ,, that's one of the best things about it ,, it's not focused only on the two main leads
the main leads were tired and exhausted especially the male lead ,, he's the one I felt for the most ,, he was actually suffering the most I don't know why ,, they didn't explain why especially him not the female lead
they didn't explain also How the time loop started in the first place or why was he the one having hard time the most ?
The female lead at one point I was annoyed by her ,, she didn't care that much about her friend not near the ending ,, she was too focused to get out of the loop and save everyone ,, she ignored him practically ,, that what annoyed me most
I know of course there were no time for romance or properly address what was going on with him ,, she was cold and precise very practical actually
this drama has layers and layers of deep human emotions and connections ,, I really love the plot and how it was made
I recommend this drama so much to anyone ,, it's one of the best I've ever seen

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A gem that must definitely be seen

I'll keep it short - this drama is a gem.

10/10, binge watched it in one go (good thing I had next day free XD), it's that good - got me hooked with 1st ep and kept me going to each next episode because the mystery/process of it & the plot and how it will unravel kept my interest 100%

Excellent writing and execution.
Not everything needs an explanation, but what does need to be found out, will be.

Also, an excellent example of how not to judge a book by it's cover, the damage a single person can cause and the suffering of loved ones due to other's & society's uncaring & cruel attitude.
I'd almost say this is a slice of life because it sure does showcase a lot of the bad & good of our society and one can learn to be a better person.
I'm already ready for a re-watch.

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A fresh start every time .

This story was like a totally new concept as a Chinese drama . The series was amazing , short ,no extra bullshit . The story was straight to the point with linear plot but a lot of patience.

The first two episodes tell us about our leads and their perspective of the explosion. and later on we catch up on the back story of other passengers.
Everyone played an important role and deserved recognition as everyone contributed to the storyline .

The subtle hint of romance between the leads was also amazing , no extra cuddly bullshit was present rather it looked natural .
The acting was too perfect .

It is short and engaging making it easy to finish in a single setting with every episode ending with a cliffhanger and just making you reach for the next episode.

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Almost want to reset my brain to rewatch it from scratch <3

FINALLY, I have found a drama that didn't leave me feeling unsatisfied or hopeless by the end. I admit that in the past I tried this show twice and gave up twice....and I was waaaay too premature with that because this show just got better and better with each episode. Time to do a pros and cons list since it's my go-to:

Pros:
- The concept. I am a sucker for time twisters, and this one knew how to use it well.
- I think the actors did well, especially the bomber duo. That lady's smile and derangement actually unsettled me. Creepy.
- Realistic female and male leads FINALLY. These actually felt like they could be people in real life that were just transported into this bizarre scenario that fight between their survival instinct and strong sense of morality.
- Modern day time regression that is actually decent.
- Made use of a very few settings well.
- Actually questioning one's morals in the face of true fear.
- Put effort into making side characters sympathetic and feel like actual beings thrown into peril.
- The middle-aged woman being the bomb holder; I had predicted it from day one and felt satisfied knowing I was finally right about a whodunnit.
- The twist of the bus driver being in on it. I did not expect it at all until that very scene where he started acting suspicious.
- So I don't know if this was on purpose, but some of the tense scenes in the bus made me start laughing from the confusion and facial expressions.
- Phone guy was pretty funny. His actor played his nosiness well.
- An actual kiss scene in a Chinese drama.
-A GOOD ENDING IN A CHINESE DRAMA FINALLY!!!!!! I swear I have only been given open endings and sadness in dramas in multiple countries, actually. This ending filled me with warmth.

Cons (there won't be a lot):
- There was an English song that played a lot and it kind of distracted me because I was wondering why there was a song in English playing recurringly in a Chinese drama. It was also pretty loud on my ears.
- The time loop's origin was never really explained as well as Heyun's worsening illness. This actually could be a positive to some people because there are a lot of times where writers attempt to explain away a phenomenon and only end up making it convoluted. The mystery of it might be for the best.
- Some of the cuts were a bit startling, but not too bad.


In conclusion: I really liked this show; a lot more than I thought I would. I appreciate the clear effort put into making a story with actual themes attached to it rather than a mind-numbing entertainment with no substance. I have seen waaaay too many of those type of dramas unfortunately. I actually felt emotions when watching and most shows can't bring that out of me, so I think it's worth watching.

Would recommended 100%. :)

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High ratings but still underrated

It's hard to say much without spoiling but watching the first episode alone made me want to watch 4 more straight away. I saw that the show had a high rating and still, I feel like it's too low!! In my eyes, this is a perfect drama in every sense. The plot is maybe not perfectly unique but the execution is so well done that it felt like I was glued to the screen and was surprised the episode was already over or rather that I had watched 5-6 episodes in one sitting.

The two lead actors were amazing and had really good chemistry and this not even a romance drama. The supporting cast are all adorable too. The story is paced perfectly imo and not dragged out or rushed. The end felt slightly abrupt for me but only because it ended, not because the writing was bad, and I felt a void that I couldn't fill with anything else (pray for season 2).

The only downside to this drama is maybe that the rewatch value is not a 10 because a major plot point for the two leads is figuring out who the culprit is but even with that knowledge as a viewer I think it would make it an interesting rewatch.

Sorry if this review sounds weird, I usually don't write reviews, but if this makes at least one person watch this drama I'm happy.

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