LayarHijau.com – The youth mystery drama Reborn (焕羽), starring Zhang Jingyi and Zhou Yiran, has officially premiered and is already gaining attention for breaking the mold of typical high school stories. Far from being a light-hearted teen romance, Reborn dives into complex emotional trauma, unresolved grief, and intergenerational tension—earning it praise from audiences seeking something deeper and darker.
The story follows 16-year-old transfer student Qiao Qingyu (played by Zhang Jingyi) as she investigates the suspicious death of her older sister, which occurred six years earlier. With help from Mingsheng (Zhou Yiran), the rebellious but loyal school idol, she begins to uncover painful truths hidden by an entire village. As they get closer to the mystery, they slowly begin to heal and grow together.
In an exclusive interview with Sohu Entertainment, both actors emphasized that Reborn is not just about youth, but about understanding pain and change. Zhang Jingyi reflected, “Qingyu’s conflict with her parents represents a gap between generations. But during her search for the truth, she learns to understand them, and also begins to grasp the world her sister came from.”
Zhou Yiran described Mingsheng as “prickly on the outside, but gentle and upright on the inside.” He shared that his character is 60% companionship, 20% childishness, and 20% laid-back energy. A mix that has captivated female viewers, many of whom have praised Mingsheng as “comforting but real.”
Their chemistry feels natural and unscripted—evident in how Zhang recalled their first day on set. “He was lying on the floor after a scene, and I thought, wow, this guy is so chill and genuine. No idol baggage.” Zhou laughed and admitted he didn’t know she took a photo of him. “But I’ve got a photo of her sleeping in class too,” he joked.
When asked about their favorite scenes, both highlighted the finale. “We spent a whole day filming in the amusement park,” Zhang said. “There was a sunset, and everything felt peaceful.” Zhou added, “And the snow scene at the end—that one’s worth watching again.”
Zhang also opened up about the emotional impact Reborn had on her personally. Around the time of filming, she revisited an old song she recorded four years ago when she was still new to acting. “Back then, I was so lost. I didn’t know what I was doing in front of the camera. That song captured a very raw version of me.” Now at 25, she finally felt ready to release it. “I thought about re-recording, but I realized how precious that moment was. So I let it go, just as it was.”
Zhou also shared a bit of his personal life, revealing that he recently took a solo road trip to Iceland. “The views were stunning, but the food? Not so much,” he laughed. “I brought my own instant noodles and Lao Gan Ma chili sauce.” He added that his livestream updates aren’t about playing boyfriend material, as fans sometimes joke, but simply sharing life during his downtime.
When asked about working together again, both were enthusiastic—so long as it’s not another high school setting. “We could try sci-fi,” said Zhang. “Or be rally car partners,” Zhou suggested. “She’s the navigator, I drive.”
According to Sohu’s report, Reborn is being praised for tackling “heavy themes like inherited trauma and community silence through the lens of adolescence.” It’s this blend of mystery, youth, and emotional honesty that sets it apart. With genuine performances and meaningful character arcs, Reborn invites viewers not just to watch, but to feel and reflect.
