Synopsis
"All Is Well" is a 2019 family drama with a Douban rating of 7.8, directed by Jian Chuanhe and starring Yao Chen, Ni Dahong, and Guo Jingfei. Adapted from A Nai's novel of the same name, it tells the story of Su Mingyu growing up in a family that favors sons over daughters, and the family conflicts with her father Su Daqiang and her two older brothers. Ni Dahong's portrayal of Su Daqiang became a cultural phenomenon, with his expressions widely shared online. Produced by Daylight Entertainment, the series focuses on issues related to dysfunctional families.
Overview
"All Is Well" is a family drama that premiered on Zhejiang TV and Jiangsu TV on March 1, 2019, directed by Jian Chuanhe. Yao Chen plays Su Mingyu, Ni Dahong plays Su Daqiang, Guo Jingfei plays Su Mingcheng, Yang Youning plays Shi Tiandong, Li Nian plays Zhu Li, Gao Xin plays Su Mingzhe, and Gao Lu plays Wu Fei. The series consists of 46 episodes, has a Douban rating of 7.8, is produced by Daylight Entertainment, and is adapted from A Nai's novel of the same name.
The series focuses on one of the most sensitive and real issues in Chinese families—the profound impact of one's family of origin on personal growth. Su Mingyu grew up in a family that favored sons over daughters. Her mother was biased towards her two older brothers, while her father, Su Daqiang, was weak and incompetent, never daring to speak up for his daughter. From the age of eighteen, Mingyu cut off financial ties with her family and, through her own efforts, became a successful career woman. However, her mother's sudden death forces her to confront the painful family she left behind.
Plot
On the surface, the Su family has three outstanding children—the eldest brother, Su Mingzhe, is an engineer in the United States; the second brother, Su Mingcheng, has a stable job; and the younger sister, Su Mingyu, is an executive at a large company. "All is well"—this was their mother's mantra to outsiders while she was alive. However, behind this seemingly perfect family lie serious issues of son preference and distorted family dynamics.
Mother Su, Zhao Meilan, is a strong-willed and biased mother. She devoted all the family's resources to her two sons—funding the eldest son's study abroad in the U.S. and buying an apartment for the second son to get married—while forcing her academically gifted daughter, Su Mingyu, to give up her dream of attending Tsinghua University and instead attend a tuition-free normal school. Su Daqiang (played by Ni Dahong) is a weak and selfish father who never dared to speak out against his wife's unfair treatment of their daughter.
After Mother Su's sudden death, Su Daqiang, freed from her control, begins to cause all sorts of trouble—demanding to buy a big house, wanting to marry a young nanny, and constantly creating problems for his children. The three siblings, already dealing with their own life pressures, are forced to cope with their father's unreasonable demands. Su Mingcheng (played by Guo Jingfei) is the youngest son who most satisfied Su Daqiang, but he is a mama's boy, impulsive, and immature. His relationship with his wife, Zhu Li, also develops cracks due to his father's interference. Su Mingzhe (played by Gao Xin) is the seemingly most successful eldest brother, but after losing his job in the U.S., he is too proud to tell his family and still tries to act as the peacemaker.
Cast
| Actor | Character | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Yao Chen | Su Mingyu | The youngest daughter of the Su family, neglected since childhood, who becomes a workplace elite through her own efforts |
| Ni Dahong | Su Daqiang | The father of the Su family, weak, selfish, and fond of stirring up trouble |
| Guo Jingfei | Su Mingcheng | The second son of the Su family, a mama's boy, impulsive and immature |
| Gao Xin | Su Mingzhe | The eldest son of the Su family, an engineer in the U.S., concerned with face |
| Yang Youning | Shi Tiandong | Su Mingyu's love interest, a restaurant owner |
| Li Nian | Zhu Li | Su Mingcheng's wife, a reasonable daughter-in-law |
| Gao Lu | Wu Fei | Su Mingzhe's wife, living in the U.S. |
| Chen Jin | Mother Su (Zhao Meilan) | A strong-willed and biased mother |
Ni Dahong's portrayal of Su Daqiang became the most talked-about character in the series. This old man, weak all his life, suddenly gains freedom after his wife's death and begins all sorts of laughable and frustrating antics—he wants to buy a multi-million yuan house, marry a young nanny, dance in the square, and drink hand-ground coffee. Every line from Su Daqiang became an internet meme: "I won't eat, I won't drink, I just want money," "This really isn't my fault," "Let's see who dares not take care of me." With extremely restrained acting, Ni Dahong vividly portrayed a character who is both detestable and pitiable.
Yao Chen's portrayal of Su Mingyu represents countless women in Chinese society who grew up in families that favored sons over daughters. Outwardly strong, independent, and successful, she inwardly yearns for her parents' recognition and love. Yao Chen masterfully depicted this contradiction between a tough exterior and a fragile interior, making the character layered, authentic, and moving.
Cultural Impact
After its broadcast, "All Is Well" sparked nationwide discussion about issues related to one's family of origin. Su Daqiang became the hottest source for internet memes in 2019, with his various classic lines widely circulated and parodied by netizens. More importantly, the series prompted countless viewers to confront and reflect on the profound impact of one's family of origin on personal growth. Su Mingyu's plight resonated deeply with many female viewers.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/27088993/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/都挺好
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/都挺好_(电视剧)
Comments (0)