A modestly budgeted Chinese family drama has emerged as a surprising box office success in China and is receiving attention from government officials as a tool to engage with Chinese diaspora communities abroad. The film, titled “Dear You” (more literally translated as “A Love Letter to Grandma”), is predominantly performed in Teochew, a regional language spoken in southeastern China’s Chaoshan area, known for its historical migration links to Southeast Asia.
Directed by Lan Hongchun and produced with a budget reportedly under $2 million, the film tells the story of a grandson burdened by debt who travels to Thailand in search of a grandfather his grandmother had long awaited. Featuring a largely nonprofessional cast, including Thai and Thai-Chinese actors, the film has so far grossed approximately $283 million, according to Chinese box office tracking data. It holds a high approval rating on Douban, a Chinese film review platform, where it earned a 9.3 score from more than 880,000 users—an unusually strong rating for a commercial domestic release.
The success of “Dear You” comes amid a Chinese film market dominated by state-influenced narratives, where many prominent releases promote “socialist core values” under increasing censorship and regulatory oversight. Unlike recent patriotically themed blockbusters, this film offers a restrained, sincere portrayal of everyday lives and cross-border familial ties, resonating with audiences tired of overtly propagandistic content. Viewers have praised its emotional subtlety and focus on themes of migration, family sacrifice, and connection across national boundaries.
The story particularly echoes rural-to-urban migration experiences within China, offering relatable elements for many young Chinese navigating economic pressures. The film has struck a chord with domestic audiences and those of Chinese descent living abroad, especially in Southeast Asia, where it began screening recently in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Chinese state agencies have embraced the film as part of broader efforts to strengthen bonds with overseas Chinese communities, framing it as a cultural link that promotes unity and shared heritage. Cui Chaoyang, a senior official with Guangdong’s film bureau, described the film as more than entertainment, calling it a “cultural bond” that can help gather “overseas Chinese hearts and strength” toward the collective goal of national rejuvenation. The film’s director characterized it as a “love letter” to the Chinese diaspora and ancestral homeland.
However, the film and its reception have prompted debate in some overseas Chinese communities. In Singapore, where ethnic Chinese comprise around 74 percent of the population, some commentators view the film as a subtle vehicle for China’s “United Front” influence efforts aimed at fostering political loyalty among overseas Chinese. Shen Zewei, a columnist for Singapore’s principal Chinese-language newspaper, described “Dear You” as an effective but emotionally nuanced tool of influence. Nonetheless, Shen maintained that cultural affinity does not equate to political allegiance for many Singaporean Chinese.
The discussion gained further attention after Singapore’s senior minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Shanghai and emphasized the nation’s separate sovereignty and multicultural identity despite its Chinese-majority population. Singapore’s approach contrasts with Beijing’s efforts to promote a collective Chinese identity that transcends borders.
Meanwhile, Chinese nationalist media criticized the Singaporean press for labeling the film as a form of psychological warfare, accusing critics of misunderstanding its purpose and dismissing the creative work’s value.
As “Dear You” continues to attract audiences at home and abroad, it illustrates both the appeal of localized storytelling in a multilingual context and the complexities surrounding cultural diplomacy and identity within the global Chinese diaspora.