June 25, 2025
BEIJING – 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.
A scene from coming-of-age drama Reborn. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY
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.
Poster of Reborn. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY