Entertainment

Chinese film 'Dear You' finds international audience despite local dialect

The low-budget drama focused on Southeast Asian migration has earned $40 million domestically and expanded to overseas markets.

Updated Aug 26, 2026 · 01:17 UTC1 reports

The short version

The low-budget film 'Dear You' has grossed roughly 269 million yuan ($40 million) in China, making it the country's second-highest-grossing film of the year as of August 2026.
Shot primarily in the Teochew dialect, the movie centers on historical Chinese migration to Southeast Asia and the use of remittance letters known as qiaopi.
Following theatrical runs in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand, the film is scheduled for a United States release in September 2026.
Chinese diplomatic officials are actively promoting the film abroad to align with Beijing's initiative to expand its cultural exports.

'Dear You' was filmed mostly in the Teochew dialect, which is spoken in the Shantou region of Guangdong province.[Associated Press]
As of August 2026, the movie had grossed approximately 269 million yuan ($40 million) at the Chinese box office.[Associated Press]
The plot focuses on Chinese labor migration to Southeast Asia and remittance letters called 'qiaopi'.[Associated Press]
The film was released in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand prior to its planned U.S. premiere next month.[Associated Press]
Chinese government representatives, including the consul in Sydney and the ambassador to Thailand, participated in promotional screenings for the film.[Associated Press]