Reset (开端)

a thrilling time loop drama that will set a mark in Chinese sci-fi dramas

Synopsis

When Li Shi Qing awoke that fateful morning, she had no idea her life would change forever. Shi Qing boarded her usual Bus 45, and upon startling awake in fright, accused the passenger next to her, Xiao He Yun of sexual assault. After successfully getting off the bus with Xiao He Yun in tow, the relieved Shi Qing leaves him behind only to find out that her nightmare didn’t end. When Shi Qing opens her eyes, she is back on the bus and continues in the never-ending time loop on the bus that’s bound to crash. Shi Qing seeks the help of Xiao He Yun, and together, they try to ensure the bus arrives safely. However, their attempts to prevent the crash is anything but easy as they fight against time and unravel the secrets of the suspicious bus passengers to successfully stop the time loop.

Adapted from the novel, “Kai Duan,” by Qi Dao Jun, Reset is a 2022 Chinese sci-fi thriller drama directed by Sun Mo Long.

Memorable OST

Watch Reset (开端) if you like:

• science fiction or thriller – if you’re a fan of time related dramas, this one revolves around a single day’s worth of time loop that resets every day. You may think that this gets dull but the thrill aspect keeps you going.
• amazing acting – Bai Jing Ting and Zhao Jin Mai are great as the leads of the drama. There’s several seasoned actors and actresses in here such as Liu Yi Jun, Liu Tao, and Huang Jue. 
• character development – many of the characters in here go through some sort of character development

Avoid Reset (开端) if you dislike:

• lack of romance – if you’re looking for romance between the leads, this isn’t for you. It’s lightly sprinkled in but don’t expect a full romance storyline
• slice-of-life – with each suspect, we get a background story. It can make the show feel draggy

Final Review: Reset (开端)

Fall asleep to new beginnings

★★★★☆ 4/5

Storyline

Reset (开端) is a Chinese drama that was released in early 2022 and adapted from Qi Dao Jun’s novel, “Kai Duan.” The story revolves around Li Shi Qing, a university student who boards Bus 45 to run some errands, only to find herself trapped in a time loop related to a traffic accident involving the bus. As the time loop continues, she inadvertently drags He Yun, another passenger, into the same repetitive cycle. Together, they try to find a way to break free from the never-ending loop that resets each time the bus crashes.

The storyline may not be entirely new to avid science fiction readers or time travel enthusiasts, as it follows the familiar concept of a time loop that resets itself. In fact, it could easily be adapted into a movie. However, the writer of the drama doesn’t limit the story to just the thrill of the time loop. Instead, they delve into the lives of the passengers on the bus, adding layers of depth and intrigue to the overall narrative. This approach allows for thought-provoking conversations and exploration of various themes, which I will discuss later.

One issue that commonly arises in time loop storylines like Reset (开端) is the potential for repetition. In some loops, certain scenes are extended to provide additional information and deepen the story. On the other hand, the writer also aims to progress the narrative quickly to show that the protagonists have experienced another reset. As a result, viewers may find themselves watching the same scene, which can span from 5 to 20 minutes in real-time, repeated throughout the show.

My biggest applause goes to the concise storytelling within the 15 episodes. The show managed to explore the main and supporting characters, telling meaningful stories and facilitating character growth. However, there were a few details that left me with some questions. One of them is why Shi Qing was the first person to experience the time loop. Unless I missed it, there doesn’t seem to be a specific connection between her character and the events, other than the fact that she frequently takes the bus and has interacted with Wang Xing De before. Another minor issue I had, which relates to the first one, is the lack of explanation for why the time loop occurred. In episode 6, Lu Di questions why the time loop is happening in May instead of August, drawing reference to typical time loop occurrences in anime. Although He Yun and Shi Qing manage to stop the time loop and resolve the underlying grievances, there is no clear reason provided for how or why the time loop started in the first place. There is a slight hint that Meng Meng may have been involved in triggering the time loop, which would introduce a fantasy or supernatural element to the drama and explain why Shi Qing was chosen based on her personality and student background.

Characters & Themes

Bystander effect: social influence, diffusion of responsibility, anyone can be a hero

The term bystander effect refers to the phenomenon in which the greater the number of people present, the less likely people are to help a person in distress. When an emergency situation occurs, observers are more likely to take action if there are few or no other witnesses. Being part of a large crowd makes it so no single person has to take responsibility for an action (or inaction).

Source: Verywell

We witness several instances of the bystander effect in the drama. One of the most notable cases occurs during Meng Meng’s sexual assault, where nobody intervenes to help her, leading to her leaving the bus in an embarrassing manner. This highlights the role of social influence in determining whether individuals are likely to take action. When people rely on others to step in and help, assuming someone else will take responsibility, it can result in a lack of assistance for the victim.

On the other hand, we see a successful instance of the bystander effect in the drama when He Yun attempts to restrain Tan Hong Ying, and none of the passengers initially step in to help. It takes a small push, but it’s only when Jiao Xiaorong jumps in at He Yun’s command that the rest of the passengers join in. Once again, the social influence of witnessing Jiao Xiaorong’s intervention encourages others to lend a hand.

In addition to the bystander effect, the drama aims to demonstrate that anyone can be a hero. Whether it’s through individual efforts or smaller acts of kindness, your contribution or accomplishment should not be underestimated. Don’t let the bystander effect prevent you from potentially helping someone in need.

Don’t judge a book by its cover: be yourself, stand up for your beliefs, face your fears

We experience a significant slice-of-life element throughout the show, which, although at times cheesy and slow-paced, is something I appreciate. It emphasizes the notion that every person you encounter has their own unique stories to share. Without truly knowing them, it is unfair to judge them solely based on their appearance. Moreover, their past does not define who they are in the present. This aspect also serves to highlight how everyone carries their own personal stories and challenges, which may not be evident in reality, yet they strive to live their lives as normally as possible.

In each episode, we are introduced to various random individuals who happen to be passengers on Bus 45. As Shi Qing and He Yun make their deductions, they begin by observing those who carry bags and gather snippets of information about the passengers’ backgrounds, using this limited knowledge to form judgments.

• The first suspect was Lu Di, covered up in black. He became a suspect based on how he looked. He had a mask covering half his face and a bucket hat that barely showed his eyes. It didn’t help that Lu Di wore his backpack towards the front while he was protectively holding onto it. He Yun and Shi Qing soon learn that Lu Di is a closet anime fan whose parents coddle him due to severe asthma. Throughout his story, Lu Di gathers the courage to step up and become a hero and openly express himself.
• The second suspect was Ma Guoqing, who had previously been in jail but was released early on good behavior. When Shi Qing overheard this information at the police station, she was sure Ma Guoqing was the suspect and collaborated with He Yun to search his bag. To Shi Qing’s dismay, the burlap bag was full of watermelons, and he was on a trip to visit his estranged son. We find that this timid man was scared to offend anyone because he knew he had a record. Ma Guoqing traveled to the city with the news that his son missed his homegrown watermelons and brought them in hopes of rekindling their relationship. Realizing that Shi Qing was mistaken, she pretended to be Ma Xiaolong’s colleague (Ma Guoqing’s son). She mentioned that Ma Xiaolong had spoken of Ma Guoqing and his watermelons before and shared Xiaolong’s words of regret. Shi Qing hoped to create a good memory for Ma Guoqing in their last moments.

Dealing with Death

Episode 13 provides insight into how death affects a person, from parents to the public and those who feel responsible, like the bus driver. The grief and guilt one carries with them continue to follow them no matter how much time has passed.

The reason why the bombing occurred was due to the lack of closure that Meng Meng’s parents had. I don’t think losing anyone is ever easy; however, this drama portrays the disparity between two parents and their grief well. One tries to move on and live life, while the other continues to seek justice for their daughter’s death. Tao Ying Hong felt that the justice system wasn’t fair and didn’t treat Meng Meng’s case properly. Wang Xing De could never forgive himself, constantly thinking, “What if I had picked up her call?” Due to that, he could not pull himself out of his wife’s wormhole, even though he knew it was wrong. His final trigger was realizing that the world had moved on from Meng Meng’s death, while he hadn’t. Life moves on, even when we don’t want it to.

Morning will come; it has no choice

Marty Rubin

Shi Qing and He Yun’s Dance with Death

We see our two leads approach death in different ways. In episode 8, Shi Qing admits that she’s afraid of death. She wants to get out of the bus to survive another day, but her conscience won’t rest if she leaves everyone else to die. Shi Qing uses her fear of death to push on and try to save every passenger on the bus. This fear allowed her to save He Yun and drag him into the loop with her.

He Yun’s approach to death is different from Shi Qing’s. We learn early on that he’s a coward in episode 4. He Yun took some time to build up the courage to stay alongside Shi Qing. He had always wanted to leave the bus until he saw how determined Shi Qing was to fight for everyone’s survival. He Yun’s view on death changed when he decided to stay with Shi Qing. However, it was only when He Yun saved Shi Qing that he truly understood the profound impact of death on someone. When He Yun accidentally stabbed Tao Ying Hong, he was deeply shaken, even when they left the bus. He expressed that the crime he had committed would be etched into his memory, even if the loop resets. We see that the bus driver, who allowed Meng Meng to step off the bus, continues to live with her death on his conscience and has never been able to forget it.

Embracing the nightmare: facing your fears

We previously discussed how Shi Qing and He Yun faced their fears and used them as motivation to continue fighting. Each time they reset, He Yun experiences a delay upon waking up. He mentions a standby area where he waits until he can wake up again. The turning point for He Yun occurs at the end of episode four, and his closing remarks resonate with the idea of embracing one’s nightmares. Although the time loop resembles a nightmare, he advises Shi Qing to embrace it and find strength within it. Typically, when experiencing a nightmare, the natural instinct would be to wake up.

“Let’s sleep. Once we fall asleep, all will be better.” 

However, He Yun suggests that they dive deeper into the dream to come back stronger. He expresses his commitment to helping Shi Qing solve the case and not backing out, even if they find themselves stuck in the time loop once again.

Other: victim-blaming, cyberbullying, the justice system

The drama also explores the theme of victim-blaming and its profound impact on situations such as Meng Meng’s sexual assault. It highlights the unfortunate reality that many people are unaware and tend to subconsciously engage in victim-blaming. By examining case studies related to victim-blaming, the drama raises questions about our perception of what is considered good or bad, and how we justify actions as right or wrong.

Blaming the victim helps us maintain a positive view of the world. It reinforces the notion that “bad things happen to bad people.” It overlooks the fact that perpetrators are at fault for inflicting pain and committing crimes.

Source: Verywell

We witness various instances of cyberbullying in the drama. It occurs after the death of the influencer bus passenger, when He Yun is targeted after killing Tan Hong Ying, and when a female student initially tries to defend Meng Meng. These instances highlight the profound impact of technology on society and how harmful it can become when misused. It’s important to remember that even though words are typed on a screen, they can still cause significant pain.

Earlier, I briefly mentioned Tan Hong Ying’s dissatisfaction with how her case was handled by the justice system. In many parts of the world, the justice system is prone to flaws due to differing views on what constitutes justice. Nevertheless, I choose to believe in the inherent goodness of people and their willingness to help others when given the opportunity. I hope for more individuals like Zhang Cheng who will use their power within the system to do their best in assisting others.

Conclusion

The thrill of the show remains present and intensifies as we continue watching. Each time the characters step out of the bus and find themselves on the run from the police, it delivers the excitement of a chase and the suspense of lies and interrogations. The drama delves into meaningful themes that leave a lasting impact even after the show ends. Despite the intense plot, there is just enough romance sprinkled throughout the episodes, with hints of He Yun’s jealousy towards Lu Di, their hand-holding moments, and their natural progression to calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend. Their relationship development and chemistry feel authentic and are beautifully portrayed amidst the chaos of the story.

I particularly enjoy witnessing the organic growth of characters and their personal development, which this drama offers through the journeys of Lu Di, Wang Xing De, and He Yun. Bai Jing Ting’s acting is truly remarkable, and I was amazed by how his character evolved. One of my favorite scenes was when He Yun, still in shock, musters the determination to leave the scene only to succumb to paleness and vomit. It was a moment where reality settled in, and He Yun’s primary concern was not fleeing or the consequences of being caught by the police, but rather how he would cope with the fact that he had taken a life. His transformation from being timid and nervous to becoming brave and fighting for himself and others is a testament to his growth within the time loops. The harsh judgment he faced from the online world was perhaps an even bigger eye-opener for him than the loops themselves, and it showcased how much he had changed since the beginning.

Reset encompasses many elements that I appreciate in a show, including a concise and well-developed story within a short number of episodes, exceptional acting, a touch of romance that complements the plot, and most importantly, strong character and relationship development. I highly recommend watching it, as 15 episodes won’t take up too much of your time. I believe you will come away with plenty to contemplate. If you have already seen Reset, I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, or favorite scenes. Please feel free to share them!

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