YOLO - What’s The Secret To A Hot, Spicy, And Burning Life?

When we talk about YOLO, we associate it with doing something risky, because "you only live once" right? Interestingly, this is the title of the Chinese film starring Jia Ling who is also the director. Though we have seen many films with an actor-director role but with this one, she also went the extra mile by doing something really transformative which showed her dedication in making the film.

YOLO in the Mandarin title is 热辣滚烫 (Rè là gǔntàng) roughly translate to “hot, spicy, boiling, burning life” which would also mean adding some spice to life that has become bland which was the initial situation of the main character Du Leying (Jia Ling) who lives a sedentary life, no motivation to find work, and is overweight. She is pushed by her family to at least get a job but is quite stubborn to do so. However, due to certain events, she is forced to leave their home and get a job on her own.

Following another set of events, she meets Hao Kun (Lei Jiaying) who teaches boxing. This now gets interesting with her enjoying the sport as well as the company of Hao Kun. Not to spoil, but she also got into an amazing transformation as the story progresses. But along the way, there are also a lot of struggles she faced in pursuing her dreams. With this you would now see how dedicated Jia Ling is for the film which no other director-actor has done.

Get ready to laugh, cry and be inspired by the global box-office sensation YOLO, which starts its regular cinema run in the Philippines on April 17.

YOLO tells the story of Leying (Jia Ling) who has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Leying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to “reconcile” with herself. Then one day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Haokun (played by Lei Jiayin), who just may change her life. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/DMN7iPSsB6I

China’s Top Grossing Female Director Jia Ling’s Hit Comedy Drama “YOLO” Makes Over $1.5 Million in the U.S./Canada. Opens April 17 in Philippines

Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing International, the film reached $1 million in six days of release in the U.S./Canada

China’s top grossing female director Jia Ling’s hit comedy drama YOLO has made over $1.5 million in the United States/Canada since its theatrical debut on International Women’s Day on March 8. Distributed via Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI), the film has made a total of $2.8 million in SPRI markets through Sunday, March 17, including $1.5 million from the U.S./Canada. Sony Pictures International Productions acquired international distribution rights to the hit film written, directed and starring Jia Ling.

Coming off its incredible performance in China and positive audience reaction, the Chinese-language film was released in 200 U.S./Canadian theaters on March 8 and had a superb opening weekend of $840K ($4,200 per location average), securing a spot in the Top 10 at the U.S./Canadian weekend box office. The film is currently playing in theaters. 

Outside of the U.S./Canada, SPRI has released the film in Australia and New Zealand (combined running gross of $615K), with Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore to open on March 21, the Philippines on April 17 and Thailand on April 18.