Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Chinese Film “Dear You” Opens Singapore, Sparks Cultural Clash

6/18/2026

41 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Dear You Opens

The Chinese film Dear You opened in Singapore on June 18 2026, prompting both praise and criticism.
The Teochew-dialect drama follows a man who traces Thai remittance letters to uncover his family history.
Since its April 30 debut in China, the film has earned over 1.7 billion yuan (US$252 million).
Analysts view the dispute as a clash over cultural confidence after a Singapore newspaper called the film “united front” propaganda.

Summary

Lan Hongchun Scripts

The film cost 14 million yuan to produce and earned 1.6 billion RMB in China.
Director Lan Hongchun scripted the film from interviews with more than 300 households and 120 elders.
Li Sitong, 20, was chosen after reviewing over a thousand Douyin applicants and matching via MBTI.
The Singapore release featured eight sold-out Teochew screenings at GVmax and GV VivoCity from June 18-21.
Thai star Usha Seamkhum learned Chinese to play Xie Nanzhi.

History

Historical Context

Ang Lee’s 2000 wuxia hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon grossed $213.5 million worldwide, becoming the first non-English film to surpass $100 million in the United States. Its box-office record created a benchmark that shapes today’s regional scrutiny by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Singapore’s Media Development Authority of Lan Hongchun’s 2026 drama Dear You.

1 of 3

Dear You Opens

The Chinese film Dear You opened in Singapore on June 18 2026, prompting both praise and criticism.
The Teochew-dialect drama follows a man who traces Thai remittance letters to uncover his family history.
Since its April 30 debut in China, the film has earned over 1.7 billion yuan (US$252 million).
Analysts view the dispute as a clash over cultural confidence after a Singapore newspaper called the film “united front” propaganda.

1 / 3