Breakthrough drama wins viewer fan base

Reborn, a coming-of-age drama, has sparked online buzz following its simultaneous domestic and international release.

Starring actress Zhang Jingyi and actor Zhou Yiran, the story follows a teenager (played by Zhang) who moves with her parents and younger brother from their hometown in a small county to a big city. However, haunted by rumors about her older sister — who allegedly led a dissolute life and died of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome — the protagonist embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her sister's death. As she delves deeper, the situation takes a dark and unexpected turn, unraveling a far more complicated reality.

Currently available with subtitles in five languages, including English, Spanish and Portuguese, on the American streaming site Rakuten Viki, the drama has earned a 9.5 points out of 10 rating on the platform, exemplifying its popularity overseas.

With the drama's director, Liu Ziwei, and co-writers, Qian Jingjing and Xu Ziyuan, all female creators, the drama has sparked in-depth reflection on women's status quo and struggles in modern society through its unconventional take on a campus story, some netizens commented.

As one of the most popular genres in the drama industry, coming-of-age stories have traditionally focused on two main themes: romance and academic pressure. Reborn marks a breakthrough by blending campus life with suspense, boldly exploring the darker, more painful aspects of youth while telling a stereotype-defying story of how young people face challenges as they come to understand the rules of the adult world, said critic Zhao Jianyi.