Happy Mother

Guo Xinli (Loletta Lee) is a rising singer with devoted fans and a promising career. She falls for Xu Wenlong, a notorious womanizer who exploits her fame to launch his own career while continuing to see other women. When Xinli becomes pregnant, Wenlong pressures her to terminate the pregnancy, fearing it will damage his prospects. Having recognized his true nature, she leaves him, withdraws from show business, and raises their son, Ziqiao, alone. Poor health following childbirth and the burden of single parenthood leave mother and son in poverty. Years later, a car accident leaves Wenlong unable to have children. After discovering that Ziqiao is his son, he resolves to take the boy from Xinli.

Directed by Jianguo Deng, Happy Mother leans on a strong ensemble — Loletta Lee Lai-Chun, Daichi Harashima — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about romance titles of 2002.