Synopsis & Character Breakdown
- Genre: Youth, Family, Mystery, Slight Romance
- Episodes: 23
- Episodes Length: 44 minutes
- Where to watch: WeTV (en), Viki (en)
Tormented by rumors about her elder sister Qiao Bei Yu’s death, teenager Qiao Qing Yu (Zhang Jing Yi) and her family move away from their village to the province’s capital. However, Qing Yu still has her suspicions about what happened, and eventually teams up with her new classmate Ming Sheng (Zhou Yi Ran) to help her investigate the truth. Together, Qing Yu and Ming Sheng discover what really happened to Bei Yu, heal old family wounds… and even find love. (Source: Viki)
Characters
| Actor | Character | Relationship |
| Zhang Jing Yi [张婧仪] | Qiao Qing Yu | |
| Zhou Yi Ran [张婧仪] | Ming Sheng | Qiao Qing Yu’s new classmate |
| Wu You [吴优] | Qiao Bei Yu | Qiao Qing Yu’s pretty sister who was raised by her paternal family in Nanqiao and died from “surgery” |
| Tim Huang [黄曦彦] | Qiao Jin Rui | Qiao Qing Yu’s cousin who grew up alongside Qiao Bei Yu |
| Liu Dan [刘丹] | Li Fang Hao | Mother Qiao |
| Chen Xi Xu [陈玺旭] | Qiao Lu Sheng | Father Qiao |
Ending Explained
Please do not read if you don’t want to be spoiled.
Brother Hei was sentenced to two years in prison after it was revealed that he was the one who spread the rumors online about Qiao Bei Yu having HIV, which ultimately led to her suicide.
Qiao Jin Rui was seen handing out pamphlets on the street, a sign that he is struggling financially and still facing his karma, but he still wishes the best for the Qiao family and hopes they can move on happily.
Li Fang Hao receives treatment for her depression, while Qiao Lu Sheng finds a new place for them to live.
Qiao Qing Yu has accomplished everything she wanted: helping her mother recover and finding her family a new place to call home. She has also started volunteering in a psychology facitily and hopes to bring that knowledge back to Nanqiao Village.
Ming Sheng returns to China, and the two meet again at the lighthouse, embracing each other with a kiss.
Drama Review
★★☆☆☆ Rating: 2.5/5
Introduction
I think with Reborn, the most important thing is not to view it as a romance drama or approach it expecting one. I’ve seen many posts online framing it as a romance, and while that’s not entirely inaccurate, romance is definitely not the focus here. The drama is really about Qing Yu and her family’s journey of grieving and finding redemption after Bei Yu’s death. Although Qing Yu is the central lens, we only know as much as she knows, and we unravel the truth alongside her, Bei Yu’s tragedy is the catalyst that forces the entire family to confront their hidden wounds and heal.
Broader Themes & Social Commentary
Grief plays a massive role in the Qiao family and is shown in different forms. The parents’ inability to properly grieve drove the mother into deeper depression, eventually pushing Qing Yu away despite her good intentions. The father’s silence reflected his desire to keep the family whole rather than fight for justice or give Bei Yu a proper grave.
Qing Yu initially approached Bei Yu’s death with anger, but as she uncovered each layer, she moved from rage to sadness, then to understanding and forgiveness, for Bei Yu and for herself. The family’s decision to hush everything and move on ultimately prevented them from truly processing their loss, leaving them fractured. While, Jin Yu, was probably too young to form a bond with his older sister to really care and connect with the loss of her presence.
I think to understand where these characters come from and why they make the decisions they do, one needs to grasp the nuances of cultural differences, especially in China. The preference for sons, family reputation, cause of death, and the weight of rumors all play major roles in shaping these choices. By understanding the society they live in, it’s easier to see why Bei Yu’s parents made the decisions they did and held back their grief.
Characters & Relationships
What I appreciate most about Qing Yu’s character is how she was written without an exaggerated “protagonist halo.” Her decisions reflected, in my definition, a realistic balance of a teenager’s IQ and EQ. She often acted on impulse and raw emotion rather than always making perfectly logical or heroic choices. This made her feel deeply human, flawed, and relatable, rather than an idealized figure.
Each supporting character played an important role in Qing Yu’s and Bei Yu’s stories. Bei Yu’s story involved everyone in Nanqiao village and Brother Hei, while Qing Yu’s journey centered on her school and the Qiao family. By seeing how the Qiao family behaved and treated Bei Yu’s family, it was easy to understand how they fell got into such a predicament. Every interaction Qing Yu got with the supporting characters helped her confront new challenges – from facing school bullying with Ming Sheng’s help to forcing her family to acknowledge the painful truths about Bei Yu’s death.
The family dynamics within just Qing Yu’s family felt realistic. Bei Yu, not raised by her parents, always yearned for love, which made her rebellious and vulnerable to toxic relationships. Yet, she still tried to protect her family, even as her loneliness and abandonment ultimately became her downfall.
Qing Yu, raised by her parents, had a stronger backbone and fighting spirit, but she often felt unseen compared to Bei Yu. She carried resentment from always being “just Bei Yu’s sister” and receiving constant nagging from her mother. Meanwhile, her brother enjoyed all the privileges of being the family’s son. Though he helped Qing Yu seek revenge, he never fully grasped the importance of uncovering the truth behind Bei Yu’s death. The father avoided conflict, caring more about preserving the family than confronting his daughter’s unjust death. The mother silently carried the burden of holding the family together, sacrificing her own health and happiness to keep everyone afloat.
Qing Yu & Ming Sheng: Love as Support
At times, I felt the love story wasn’t strictly necessary. Yet, Qing Yu needed someone who offered pure, unconditional support. She didn’t seek validation from her parents or her friends; she needed someone who simply stood by her side, saying, “I believe in you no matter what,” and “I’ll always be here when you turn back.” Ming Sheng provided that solace. Even though her friendship with Wang Mumu, who encouraged her to dance and fulfill Bei Yu’s dream, and her family’s flawed love also supported her, Ming Sheng’s unwavering presence offered her a different kind of comfort that no one else could give.
Personal Impact & Final Thoughts
Overall, the slow pace sometimes made it hard for me to fully enjoy, especially when it focused on Qing Yu’s school life or Ming Sheng’s own struggles instead of pushing forward to the truth. But the characters were layered enough to keep me invested and curious about how each of their stories would end.
I’d recommend this drama to anyone looking for a serious exploration of grief, death, and family dynamics, with just a hint of romance. At only 23 episodes, it isn’t too long, and the emotional payoff is worth the journey.
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