# Commercial and cultural impact of Dear You film

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/commercial-and-cultural-impact-of-dear-you-film
> Updated: 2026-08-16T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The film ‘Dear You’ (Thư Tình Gửi Bà Ngoại), directed by Lam Hong Xuan, has achieved significant commercial and cultural impact. In China, the low-budget production earned over 2 billion NDT within three months of its release, representing a revenue return approximately 143 times its initial cost. The film’s success is linked to the breakout performance of actress Li Sitong.

Beyond its box office performance, the film has gained attention in Southeast Asia for its portrayal of Teochew culture and the Chinese diaspora. The narrative, set around the 1940s, utilizes the tradition of ‘qiaopi’—letters and remittances sent by migrants—to explore intergenerational relationships and historical journeys. To maintain authenticity, the director conducted research across Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam to understand how diaspora families preserve their cultural heritage.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: Dear You film explores Teochew culture and diaspora history

The film ‘Dear You’ explores Teochew culture and the history of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia, focusing on family ties and the tradition of qiaopi letters.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dear-you-film-explores-teochew-culture-and-diaspora-history

### 2026-08-12: Dear You film achieves massive box office success in China

The low-budget film ‘Dear You’ has become a massive box office hit in China, driven by the breakout performance of newcomer Li Sitong and a poignant narrative about women's resilience.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dear-you-film-achieves-massive-box-office-success-in-china

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Cite as: Commercial and cultural impact of Dear You film. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/commercial-and-cultural-impact-of-dear-you-film