Family on the Go (2012)
A sweeping Chinese family drama tracing one Wenzhou family's journey across continents during China's era of reform and reinvention.
Family on the Go - Series Information
Family on the Go - Plot
The drama begins during China's Reform and Opening Up era in the 1980s in Wenzhou, south China, an area renown for the emergence of many successful businesses. It charts the progress of a certain family headed by Zhou Wanshun, that lived in Rui'an village. The family had the opportunity for one of their two children to go to Italy to study. Wanshun (quite extraordinary at the time, and even today) chose to let his 13-year old daughter, Ayu, go to study rather than his 16-year-old son, son Maigou. Unbeknownst to his wife, Zhao Yinhua and son he sold their ancestral home cum cottage industry and spent all the proceeds in funding the Italy study trip. Although he had no business plan, he set out with his wife and son to Wenzhou City to "make money", any which way. Together, they make it to Wenzhou City, while the daughter goes to Italy, each forging different paths, especially the children each persevering through challenges and hardship, achieving individual success.
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Family on the Go - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Lee Li-Chun
- Chi Peng
- Zhang Yi
- Yin Tao
- Karlina Zhang
- Jin Dong
- Ren Shuai
- Liu Mintao
- Yu Bai
- Waise Lee Chi-Hung
Family on the Go - FAQs
Is Family on the Go based on a true story?
Family on the Go is inspired by the real-life experiences of Wenzhou migrants during China's Reform and Opening Up era. The story draws on the documented wave of Wenzhou entrepreneurs and families who emigrated to Europe — particularly Italy — in the 1980s and 1990s, giving the drama a strong grounding in historical reality.
What is Family on the Go about?
Set in 1980s Wenzhou, the series follows the Zhou family after patriarch Zhou Wanshun secretly sells the family home to send his 13-year-old daughter to study in Italy. While she builds a new life abroad, her parents and brother head to Wenzhou City to make their fortune, each navigating hardship and ambition on their own terms.
Where can you stream Family on the Go?
Streaming availability for Family on the Go varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your country, including any subscription, rental, or free ad-supported platforms currently carrying the series.
Why did Zhou Wanshun send his daughter to Italy instead of his son?
Zhou Wanshun's decision to send his 13-year-old daughter Ayu to Italy rather than his older son Maigou is one of the drama's most striking choices. It reflects a bold, unconventional belief in his daughter's potential — remarkable for the era — and sets the entire family's story in motion, driving the series' central emotional tension.
Who are the main actors in Family on the Go?
The series features Lee Li-Chun as patriarch Zhou Wanshun and Chi Peng as his wife Zhao Yinhua, with Zhang Yi playing son Maigou and Yin Tao as daughter Ayu. The supporting cast includes Jin Dong, Liu Mintao, Karlina Zhang, Ren Shuai, Yu Bai, and Waise Lee Chi-Hung.
How was Family on the Go received by audiences and critics?
Family on the Go was warmly received in China upon its 2012 release, praised for its emotionally resonant portrayal of the Wenzhou migrant experience and its nuanced family dynamics. The series was noted for tackling themes of sacrifice, ambition, and generational change with sincerity and strong ensemble performances.
How many episodes does Family on the Go have?
Family on the Go consists of 36 episodes across a single season, which aired in 2012. The generous episode count allows the drama to trace the Zhou family's journey in depth — from their roots in rural Rui'an village through their diverging paths in Wenzhou City and Italy.
What are some shows similar to Family on the Go?
If you enjoy Family on the Go's blend of family drama and generational storytelling, consider Parenthood, which offers a similarly warm and emotionally layered portrait of a complex family. Road to Avonlea and Life Goes On also explore family resilience across changing times, while The Upshaws delivers a more contemporary take on family perseverance.
More About Family on the Go
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