As of May 24, the heartwarming Guangdong film Dear You: has surpassed 1 billion yuan (approximately $138 million) at the Chinese box office just 25 days after its release. The film has dominated daily rankings throughout May, with major platforms now projecting a final tally exceeding RMB 1.7 billion.

Centered on Qiaopi — UNESCO-recognized overseas Chinese correspondence heritage — the film traces the decades-long letter-writing bond between Shantou grandmother Ye Shurou and an anonymous female scribe who never met her. Since its May 6 debut, the film has held the top spot in Guangzhou's box office for 19 consecutive days, resonating deeply with audiences in one of China's key cinema markets.

The story's emotional pull has crossed borders. At a market screening during the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 15, the film drew packed queues and strong interest from distributors in Thailand, Malaysia, the UK and France.

Director Lan Hongchun, speaking at the 2026 Cultural Powerhouse Summit, pledged his team would continue crafting "small but beautiful, real but warm" local stories. "We want Chaoshan tales and Lingnan culture to travel across China and resonate worldwide."

Source: Guangzhou Daily
Reporter: Huang An
English Author & Editor: Lyu Yun