Cycle of Terror

High-Concept Plot | The Time Maze in an Elevator

The female lead (Li xi-yuan) finds herself trapped in a time loop on April 28 after stepping into an elevator in a mysterious building. Alongside her are four male strangers who are forced to form a "survival alliance." Within the repeated 24 hours:

Key to the Mystery: Elevator buttons conceal a code, surveillance footage reveals fragmented clues, and each cycle's "death rules" escalate.
Trial of Human Nature: Each of the four men harbors secrets; some will do anything to survive, while others seek to protect the female lead, intertwining trust and betrayal.

Director's Style | Ultimate Tension in a Locked Room Mystery

Director Xiao Yong excels at constructing complex narratives within "limited spaces." This time, he transforms the elevator, corridors, and monitoring room into a "time prison," utilizing:

Visual Pressure: Narrow shots and surround sound create a suffocating atmosphere.
Time Games: Each episode concludes with the revelation of "new rules," subverting audience expectations.
Multi-Layered Narrative: The cycles interweave fragments of the female lead's past memories, hinting at the origins of the time trap.

Audience Predictions | A Dual Impact of Mind Games and Emotion

Following the trailer's release, the "elevator loop" concept has sparked discussions, with viewers analyzing how "the four men's identities may relate to the female lead's past." Critics have noted, "The series combines the survival pressure of 'Squid Game' with the time philosophy of 'Tenet,' making each episode a mental challenge."

"Cycle of Terror" employs the narrative strategy of "time as the puzzle, and human nature as the answer," redefining the suspense genre. Mark your calendars for March 7 to see how those trapped in the seams of time strive to change their fates!