Derailment
Derailment
Now Showing

Derailment

6.8
Yr 2023
Status Ended
Drama Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

Do you believe that there exist countless parallel universes that are exactly like the world you live in? Jiang Xiaoyuan finds herself struggling with her identity as she travels across parallel universes that never seem to intersect. In her original world, she is an invincible wealthy daughter, but in another place, she becomes an ordinary working girl who has absolutely nothing. Along the way, she meets the mysterious Qi Lian and together, they search for the truth involving the mystery surrounding her. Stripped of wealth, family background, appearance, and education, Jiang Xiaoyuan sets herself on a journey to find pieces of her "real" identity.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 74 /100

Critical reception for Derailment is generally positive, with audiences praising its intriguing sci-fi mystery setup and engaging plot twists. Reviewers note that while the narrative doesn't follow a typical fantasy formula, the series delivers compelling twists and an immersive storyline where interconnected secrets are gradually revealed.

The lead acting receives high acclaim, particularly the emotional performance of lead actress Liu Haochun. Her tearful, empathetic scenes and overall presence are frequently cited as strong highlights, helping elevate the show's dark, romantic, and mystery-driven tones.

However, the show garners significant criticism for its narrative focus and subplots. Multiple reviewers point out that the series strays from its central plot for long stretches, resulting in disjointed storylines that some felt created an unsatisfying narrative mess.

“Derailment has a very compelling premise and a pretty good twist so I was entertain and engaged throughout the whole series...”

“...the subplots veered off in different directions and none of them built on each other, resulting in mostly an unsatisfying mess...”

“She looks really pretty and her crying scenes are really good. Tears streaming down her cheeks, so real with empathy.”

“I’m too immersed by the plot they gave us... After all in conclusion, all are connected.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Rakuten Viki
US • CA
Why fans love it

Derailment turns the concept of parallel worlds into an intimate search for self. Rather than leaning purely into grand sci-fi spectacle, the 2023 drama focuses on the internal cost of losing one’s status, connections, and foundational history overnight. It treats the friction between Jiang Xiaoyuan’s high-society origins and her new, starkly ordinary reality as a puzzle that requires more than just luck to solve.

The series is anchored by the partnership between the protagonist and Qi Lian. As they navigate the mystery of an identity shifting across boundaries that refuse to align, the show places equal weight on their developing bond and the mechanics of the transition. Liu Haocun carries the ambiguity of a woman waking up to an unfamiliar life, grounding the more fantastical elements of the plot in a grounded, romantic atmosphere that prioritizes personal stakes over high-concept physics.

Production Board

Crew

Executive Producer
Xie Ying
Producer
Dong Xiuyuan
Director
Shen Yang
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Derailment overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

romance 都市 平行世界，爱情
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
December 14, 2023
Status
Ended
Origin
CN
TMDB Votes
30