Streaming giant Youku's self-made series Reborn marks actor Zhang Yi to lead an online drama for the first time. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Amid the rapid expansion of online entertainment industry, actor Zhang Yi – best known for movie blockbusters including Operation Red Sea – has joined the trend by making his debut in a streaming-site drama.

The drama, Reborn – a self-made online series produced by ecommerce giant Alibaba-owned Youku – has received applauds from Zhang's fans, exemplified by its score of 7.2 points on Douban, the country's most popular review collector.

Penned by established scriptwriter Han Bing, more known by his penname Zhiwen (fingerprint), the 28-episode series which has run on Youku since March 7 follows the struggle of a police officer, who is the only survivor in a gunfire attack that killed all his other colleagues.

A still image features Zhang Yi-starring police officer. [Photo provided to China Daily]

While suffering memory loss, a trauma caused by the attack, Zhang playing the role of protagonist policeman investigates the mastermind behind the horrific case.

Zhang said he believes online series will ride a wave due to the fast development of internet industry in China, during an earlier interview with Chinese reporters.

"I also wish to reach a wider viewership by acting in online drama," added Zhang. "My role has a complex personality, who struggles between hunting criminals and discovering his true-self. With a lot of suspense and twists, the script is very interesting."

A more interesting fact: Youku producers reveal that Zhang was selected from many stars via a big-data system developed by Youku, which could "calculate" the top draw for tailored audience by following the subscribers' viewing habits.

Poster of Reborn. [Photo provided to China Daily]