All language subtitles for A_Big_Fat_Family_Christmas_2022_1080p_WEB_H264-FaiLED

- There's a reason
they call Christmas

the most wonderful
time of the year.

It's a time of
reflection and tradition

that brings out
the best in people.

Well, usually.

There's the 85 foot Christmas
tree in Union Square.

It's the centerpiece of San
Francisco during the holidays.

And the Fairmont Hotel with
its life size gingerbread house

in the lobby.

It invites people to enjoy
what I love about Christmas,

wonder, warmth, and elegance.

And then there's my parents.

To them, Christmas is one
big, loud, overblown carnival.

Mom, dad.

- Hi honey.

- You guys really need to
start giving things away.

You've become
Christmas hoarders.

- Why would we give things
away, we're still using them.

- Well, maybe you need to stop
buying new things every year.

This place is a fire hazard.

- Oh, speaking of fire hazards.

- You've really
outdone yourself.

- Isn't it great?

- You know when people
think Christmas,

they don't usually
think, dragon.

- What would you rather
pull in your sleigh,

a reindeer with a glowing nose
or a fire breathing dragon?

Perfection.

- Hi, dad.

Ooh, hard at work?

- I'm still trying to
figure out my signature dish

for the party.

I've never been this far behind.

Braised abalone
and cranberry sauce

didn't go as well as I hoped.

- Dad, I know you and mom
like to go a little extra

for Christmas,

but maybe one of these years

you could try scaling
it back just a little.

Make it more intimate and
less crazy, loud Asians.

Plenty of people
have lovely, low key,

totally normal Christmas
parties every year.

- Let other people have boring,
normal Christmas parties.

This is the Changtastic
Christmas party.

- Exactly, it's the
Changtastic Christmas party.

I can't remember the last
time we celebrated as a family

without the entire neighborhood.

- You should be proud that
so many who wanna spend time

with us.

I mean, is it our fault that
more show up every year?

- That's what makes
it so special.

Though, it does make
my signature dish

a bigger challenge each year.

- I believe in you, honey.

You go into that kitchen
and you make me proud.

- You're right, if
you'll excuse me,

I have a recipe for
nutmeg mapo tofu

I've been meaning to try.

- So, you bringing anybody
to the party this year?

- Flying solo as usual, 'tis
the season to be independent.

- That doesn't even make sense,

this is the season for love.

- I thought that
was Valentine's Day.

- It's love, it can
only have one season?

You haven't invited anyone
in years, not even a friend.

This is the 25th
anniversary of our party.

- Can we not talk about
this right now? Please.

- Fine, I'll stop as
long as you promise

to help me prepare
these decorations.

You know, we only have two
weeks before Christmas Eve,

so pick a pile.

- Okay,

Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

- Hi, good morning.

- You know,

most people would think it's
creepy to discover a stranger

taking photos of them.

- Sorry, it's kind
of a reflex for me

when I see a beautiful shot.

- Oh, you think I'm beautiful?

- No, no, well, no, I mean
the composition, this scenery,

it's...

I'm trying to think of an
adjective that isn't weird.

- I'm kidding, I
know what you meant.

- Well, thank you for letting
me die of embarrassment.

- May I see it, this
beautiful photo of me?

- Sure.

- Wow, you're right.

I look really good here.

- Okay, you've had your fun.

- Seriously though,
it's a good picture.

Could you text it to me?

- Is this your clever way of
trying to get my phone number?

- I'd like to think I could
be more clever than that,

and I don't think
it's too much to ask

seeing as how I am the
person in the photo.

- Good point.

Go ahead, text away.

So are you meeting someone?

- Yeah, just admiring the
photographs while I waited.

- Thank you.

- That's yours too?

- It is, I'm a
photographer here.

- Hmm.

- Ah, there he is.

Charles Wells, editor in chief,
you must be the new writer.

- Henry, excited to be here.

- Glad to see you starting to
get to know your colleagues.

Morning, Liv.

- Morning, Charles.

- Henry's joining us
from The Bangkok Post,

he's one of their
top feature writers.

Shall we Chat?
- Lead the Way.

Liv, it was interesting
meeting you.

- You as well.

We'll have an anxiety spiral
about it later tonight.

- Have a seat.

Oh, I know this is a lot to
take in on your first day,

and I promise I'm not
trying to scare you off,

but we do move pretty
quickly around here.

- Believe me, things were
no different at The Post.

I'm happy to hit
the ground running.

- I'm very glad to
hear you say that

because you'll soon find
that the Christmas edition

here at The Chronicle is one
of the biggest of the year.

We're always on the lookout
for a new story to tell,

and I think this being your
first Christmas in America,

that you'll have a
very fresh perspective.

Now, I'm meeting with the
writers tomorrow to go over

our current Christmas articles,

love to have some
ideas from you.

- Definitely,

I'll get started putting
those together immediately.

- Excellent, looking
forward to it.

And welcome to The
Chronicle, Henry.

- Great to be here.

- Where have you been?

- Relax, I'm like
10 minutes late,

that's pretty good for me.

- You'd think with all
the money you're saving,

living at mom and dad's, you
could afford some real clothes.

- Hey, hey, this style, okay.

And with all the money
I'm saving on rent,

I'll be able to afford
my own place in the city

by the time I'm 45.

You sure you don't
wanna move back in?

- Oh, as much as I love you all,

I'd much rather
preserve my sanity.

You know that guy?

- Yeah, he just started
at The Chronicle today,

Henry something. I don't know.

- Yo, Henry.

- Oh, hey, Liv.

And?
- Andrew, my brother.

- Hi.

- You need some help?
You look kind of lost.

- Yeah, actually I'm
looking for this restaurant,

Mai Pen Rai.

- Well that place is great.

They got this coconut pudding,

they literally make
it at the table.

You should ask for
my friend Ricky,

he'll hook you up.

- Thanks, I'm actually
going there for a story.

Charles wants more ideas
for the Christmas edition

of the paper.

I hear this restaurant's
created this interesting menu

for the holidays,

blending traditional Thai
dishes with Christmas flavors.

- If you are looking for
Christmas story, we got you...

What's that for?

- Andrew, why did you tell Henry

how to get to the restaurant?

- Fine, if you'll
stop hitting me.

Around the corner
is a laundromat,

next to the front
door is a staircase,

go up and you are in the
entrance of an art gallery.

Head inside and in the
back next to an exhibit,

is Mai Pen Rai.

If there are any
problems, just text me.

- You are the most helpful
person I've met here so far.

- You really are new
here, aren't you?

- I better get going,
story meeting's tomorrow,

and I've got a lot
of ground to cover.

- Well, good luck and
feel free to bring us back

some spring rolls.

- Ow.

You're gonna tell me what
I did to deserve that?

You know I bruise like a peach.

- You almost mentioned
mom and dad's party.

- Right.

Do people at work still not
know how Changtastic you are?

- I just don't wanna
be associated with this

over the top extravaganza.

I'm trying to make
a name for myself.

- Oh, so now Chang is
not a good enough name?

- They're like a
bajillion Changs, I
wanna be my own person.

- And do you know who that is?

- Yes, Liv Rose,
celebrated photographer,

and all around icon.

- I'm not calling you that.

- Come on, lunch is on me.

- Okay, Liv Chang.

- Liv.

- Mom, I just went
grocery shopping.

- Just a few small items.

- Oh, sure it is.

And you know, maybe a
text before you stop
by would be nice.

- I'm sorry, I thought you
carrying for nine months

and then raising you
for the next 18 years

would entitle me to
an occasional visit.

- Seriously?

- Don't look at me.

Last thing I wanted to do
tonight is carry a tree

up three flights of stairs.

- What, you didn't have a
Christmas tree, you're welcome.

- Mom, I know you mean well,
but this is all too much.

- Okay, fine, fine, I will
return whatever you don't want.

But the Christmas tree stays.

- Aww, you have no ornaments?

- No, no, okay, no ornaments,
this circus is over.

- But I got that boring,
generic kind like you like.

- I gotta go anyways,
I promised Henry

I'd meet him for dinner.

- What? Why?

- Who is Henry?

- He's a new coworker.

Why are you meeting
Henry for dinner?

- He seems cool, plus
he's new in town,

and doesn't have any friends.

It's called being nice,
you should try it.

- Oh, you're such a good boy.

- Well, I trust you won't
mention anything you shouldn't.

- Yeah, yeah, don't worry.

Bye Mom.

- What?

- So this Henry,
tell me about him.

- Mom, just because a man exists

does not mean I
have to date him.

- Tell that to my
non-existent grandchildren.

Fine, we'll just
decorate your tree.

- Okay, but we're
using my decorations.

- Hmm.

- Okay, I think we
have enough gold.

Where are the rest
of your ornaments?

- Oh, that's it.

What, don't you think
it looks beautiful?

- I feel like I'm
in a fancy forest.

You know, you used to like
all the fun decorations

we had at home.

- Well, what can I say?

People change, tastes evolve.

I'm a grownup now.

- See, now this frame, this
is what I'm talking about.

It has color, it
has joy, I love it.

- That's because you bought it.

Come on, time for
the final touch.

- All right.

- So, what do we think?

- Fine.

It's pretty.

And if this pretty boring
tree makes you happy,

then who am I to judge?

- Liv, get in here.

- Hi Charles, do you need me?

- Yes, Henry pitched this
fantastic idea to me,

and you sprang to mind.

Please sit.

Come on, Henry, fill her in.

- Sure.

I was just telling Charles

about this Chinese Christmas
party I heard about.

Apparently it's huge.

- Oh, is this a local party?

- Yeah, up in Knob Hill.

- And you mentioned
you thought of me

when Henry pitched this?

- I've seen your Christmas
in San Francisco series.

That's great stuff.

- Oh, thank you, yeah.

- Besides, don't you
live nearby there?

I mean, you must have
seen it over the years,

it's a big party.

- Yes, I have seen it.

I'm not sure it's the
right assignment for us.

I mean, I just think
we can go bigger

than a neighborhood
Christmas party. Right?

- I don't know, the way the
Changs described it to me,

it seems like it has
a pretty big impact.

- You met them?

What, what did they say?

- They loved the idea and
they seemed really nice.

I didn't have a chance
to chat to them further,

I wanted to make sure they
were okay with the story

before I pitched it to Charles.

- You know Liv, if you don't
wanna do this piece with Henry,

that's fine,

I just thought it was time
to give you a cover story.

- Wait, you wanna make
this a cover story?

- Well, I'm considering it.

It'd be great for your career,

not to mention a huge
splash for Henry,

his first article here
on the front page.

But I can always assign
it to someone else.

I just thought
you'd be interested

since you seem to have an
eye for that Christmas magic.

- Well, how could I say no?

- Looks like we're
all gonna be having

a Changtastic Christmas.

- Hello.

- Good morning, traitor.

- What?

- Did you have fun at your
dinner with Henry last night?

Mention any family secrets
you were explicitly told

not to discuss?

- No, you barely even came up.

- Then how come
Henry pitched my boss

a story about our party?

- I don't know,
he's a journalist,

isn't that his job?

- Fine, but if I find out you
did this, I will destroy you.

It's just a my internet
provider, you know?

What am I gonna do?

I have to kill this
article somehow.

On the other hand, it could
be my first front page photo.

- You have to stop
being so tight about it

and realize it's just
a party you're in,

nobody cares you're
related to it.

- I care, sorry, sorry.

I'm just, I'm stressed.

Maybe it won't be so bad.

Maybe I can just spin this
and keep my name out of it.

- Good luck with that, gotta go.

- Huh, reminds me of home.

- Do you have a year round
Christmas Cafe in Bangkok too?

- No.

But the Butterfly Pea Milk,

my grandma makes
it during summers.

- I've never had it.

I'm usually a classic hot
chocolate kind of gal.

- Oh, you'll have to try
it then, it's the best.

- I'm sure it's just like home.

So where exactly is home?

You're from Bangkok, but you
have a South African accent.

- I'm impressed, that's not
an easy accent to pin down.

Yeah, I'm kind of
from everywhere.

I grew up in South Africa,

but my family moved
around for a bit.

My father worked
as an ambassador.

We ended up in Bangkok to
be closer to my grandmother

and my mom's side of the family.

I'd say that's where
home is for me.

Home is where the
family is, right?

- I guess.

- Two snowy Butterfly
Pea Milk Bobas please.

Oh, my treat.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.
- Thanks.

- So Liv Rose.

Why photography?

- I've just always liked to
see the beauty in the ordinary.

So much happens around us,
especially in a city like this.

Most people just walk
by without ever noticing

something incredible
right in front of them.

- I get that.

It's the same for
me in journalism.

There are stories everywhere

if you take the time to look.

- True.

Though, some stories
are best left untold.

- Two Butterfly Pea Milk Bobas.

- Looks good.

Let's grab a seat.
- Cheers.

- Hey, this is good.

- That popping boba
is a fun twist.

- Oh, are you one of those guys

who takes pictures of
everything he eats?

- It's for my family.

My grandma will get
a kick out of this.

You don't want to take one too?

I saw your feed the other day,

it'd they go great with your

Christmas in San
Francisco series.

- You looked me up.

I didn't realize you
were so obsessed with me.

- Classic deflection,
that won't work on me.

Talking to people is my job.

- I don't post selfies.

Liv Rose stays strictly
behind the camera.

- Why not? The
fans would love it.

A chance to see the real you.

- Don't we have
a story to cover?

- Right?

How about we dive right in

and interview the
Changs right now?

- Like right now?

- Why not? I'm sure
there'll be some

great photo opportunities

unless you want me
to do it myself.

- Okay, sure.

But first I think we can
make one quick pit stop.

- Sure.

- Hi.

- So what's so important
about this place

that we have to see it before
meeting with the Changs?

- Well, one of the big
draws behind the party

is the larger than
life decorations.

And the woman behind
the mall, Mrs. Lin,

there's no Changtastic
Christmas party

without her contributions.

- For someone who doesn't
care for the party,

you sure have some helpful info.

- Everyone in China
Town knows Mrs. Lin.

Her English isn't great though,

so I'll take the lead and
talk to her in Cantonese.

- Sure.

Why don't you take
a look around?

I'll make sure she
has time to chat.

- I can't believe
remember the last time

I heard you speak Cantonese.

- Oh, well my friend
is trying to learn.

I wanna immerse him.

- You're teaching him?

Your Cantonese is terrible.

- And could you possibly not
mention that I'm a Chang?

- What, Liv, you're
not making sense.

- Can you ask her about her
inspiration for the decorations

and how she came
to know the Changs?

- Of course, I have it handled.

- Huh?

- You know Mrs. Lin was one
of the original attendees

at the party.

- You should have Liv
introduce you to the Changs,

they're not far.

- Oh, so you know them?

- Of course, she's their-

- Neighbor, neighbor basically.

In fact, we should go
to their house now.

Mrs. Lin, could
you please email us

all of the information
like we discussed?

- What?

- Great, perfect.

Come on, Henry.

- So you can speak Cantonese.

- And you can speak English.

- Just one quick question,

Liv's last name is
Chang, isn't it?

She's their daughter.

- Don't mind her strangeness,

she hasn't had a
boyfriend in a while.

- Thanks again, Mrs. Lin,
you've been very helpful.

- Hi Andrew, it's me.

I need you to get mom and
dad out of the house now.

I don't have time to
explain, just do it, please.

Everything okay in there?

- Yep, just admiring
her decorations.

Should we head to the Chang's?

- Sure.

Well, guess they're not home,

we'll have to come
back tomorrow.

- Well, let's give it a minute.

Hey, do they have kids?

Maybe they live nearby.

- I'm just gonna take some
photos of the exterior.

- We could interview
some of the neighbors,

kill some time
until they get back.

- We could do that, but what
if they're out all night?

How about I treat you to one
of my own Christmas traditions?

It's not like we're gonna
be making any headway

without them here anyway.

We could come back tomorrow.

- I suppose you're right.

We won't be making any progress

until we get past
this roadblock.

What did you have in mind?

So this is one of your
favorite things to do

during Christmas,
take a boat ride?

- Just wait until
you see the city

lit up in Christmas
lights, it's magical.

- You know, I have always
wanted to experience

a Christmas in America.

- It's wonderful,

but I think it can
be easy to forget

the true meaning of
Christmas and overdo things.

- Kind of like the Changs.

- There's something
I need to tell you.

Nevermind, it can wait.

- You don't have to walk me home

- Oh, don't worry, I'd love
to see more of this city.

- I'm sorry, tonight was
such a bust with the Changs.

Maybe we'll have
better luck tomorrow.

- I really hope so, I'd
love to crack this story.

And tonight wasn't a
bust, it was magical.

- Well, I'm so glad
you could see the city

from a new perspective.

Okay, family,

what did I tell you about
not throwing parties

in my apartment?

- Hi honey.
- Hi sweetheart.

We're just filling
the place with life.

- Mom, please, no
Christmas stockings.

- What? You have a mantle,
it needed stockings.

- With that attitude,
yours will be filled

with coal anyways.

- Give me that.

- Henry, good to see you.

- Henry.
- Henry.

- Well, if it isn't the Changs,
what a pleasant surprise.

Liv, I hope you don't mind,
but your neighbor let me up

and I forgot to give
this back to you.

- Henry, I can explain.

- I just don't understand
why you wouldn't tell him

that you are our daughter.

- I'm really sorry, I know I
should have said something.

You were going to
find out eventually.

- Yeah, I already
figured it out.

You were so hesitant
to this assignment

that I assumed you must
have some connection to it.

And when Mrs. Lin
mentioned your parents.

- You speak Cantonese?

- I spent a year in Guangzhou.

- Wait, you didn't tell
'em you're related to us

and you didn't want
to do this story?

- I didn't wanna
stop it, I just,

I wanna keep my personal and
professional lives separate.

The story's a big deal.

I didn't want people
to think I got it

because I'm related to it.

- I can understand that.

- I was gonna tell you
before the boat ride, I just,

I chickened out.

- Romantic boat ride.

- I know what it's like to
want to be taken seriously

for your work.

I mean, my first story
here has the potential

to be on the front page,
I feel the pressure too.

- Wait, wait, wait, we're
going to be on the front page?

- It's a real possibility.

So long as we're all on the
same team from here on out.

- Of course.

- How about tomorrow
we all sit down

and do a proper interview?

- We would love to have
you over Henry, right, Liv?

- Great.

- All right, Changs,
let's move out.

We'll see y'all tomorrow.

- Okay, good night everyone.

Ah, ah, ah, not so fast.

You had one job, get mom
and dad out of the house,

what could have
possibly possessed you
to bring them here?

- You think I have any
control with those two?

And how was I supposed to know
you'd bring Henry back here.

- He walked me home.

- Oh, after your
romantic boat ride?

- Who are you, Mom?

He's my coworker.

- Well, whatever you say,

and also you should
stop stressing about
this story so much

'cause it's making
you age faster.

- Love you.
- Love you.

- Henry, I just wanted
to say sorry again

about lying to you.

- It's okay, but
we are journalists,

the truth is what
we're all about.

We do need to trust each other.

- I know, no more secrets.

- All right, then we're good.

- Oh, just one second.

- Do you think we could keep
me being a Chang between us

for now, I want Charles
to hear it from me.

- Sure, I can do that.

- Thanks.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

- I still can't get
over these decorations.

- Wait 'til you see the inside.

- Welcome.

- Hi.
- Come on in.

- Hey.
- Hi.

- Here, let me take your coats.

- Told you the
inside was something.

- Oh, a paról.

- It is.

- Are you Filipino?

- Half Filipino, half Chinese.

- And 100% beautiful.

- Okay, let's go
into the kitchen.

- Henry, my man, what's good?

- Andrew, good to see you.

- Really, Andrew?

- Hey, thanks so much
for having me over.

I'm looking forward
to writing this story,

but if I'm honest,
I'm even more excited

about experiencing a
Changtastic Christmas.

I can tell it's gonna be
everything I've dreamed about.

- Oh, you hear that, Liv,
he's dreaming above you.

- Mom.

- I just meant I've
always imagined

the meaningful ways people
celebrate the holidays here.

And yours is such a unique
take, the fusion of cultures.

- Exactly.

Fusion is what we're doing
with these dumplings too.

Today's dish, baked
sweet potato dumplings

with marshmallow
soy sauce glaze.

- Hmm. I've never tried
anything like that.

- Nobody has.

- The real secret ingredient,

satsumaimo, Japanese
sweet potato.

- Last year he made
chowchow tamales

and the year before spanakopita
stuffed with Peking duck.

They were delicious.

- I still dream
about those tamales.

- I love the passion, which
you clearly bring to the party,

and I'm sure it extends
beyond the food.

This really must take
a lot of work though.

Do you ever cut back a little?

Make things simpler?

Perhaps take a break?

- Excellent question.

- I don't do simple,
I'm a complicated man.

Be sure to get
that in the story.

- Noted.

- Okay, enough yapping.

These dumplings won't
make themselves.

- Liv, why is your
dumping so ugly?

- Gotta love that
motherly affection.

- Well do better, Mom gives
me plenty of affection.

- Because you're a good boy,

and look at these
beautiful dumplings.

- You know what?

I think I'll be more
useful taking pictures.

You guys seem to have
this under control.

- Do you want me to take
one so you can get in here

with the fam?

- You know my rule,
strictly behind the lens.

- There you go.

- Thanks dad.
- Thanks dad.

- Here you are.
- Thank you, honey.

- Hmm.

Oh wow, this hot
chocolate is amazing.

- Yeah, it's like the
one thing Liv does well.

She makes a huge batch
for the party every year.

- Look at this, Henry,

this is from our first
Christmas party 25 years ago,

back when it was just a few
friends in our living room.

- Hey, is this that Mrs. Lin?

- Yeah, that's right.

- We used to repurpose
decorations from other holidays.

These lanterns were from
our friends' wedding.

It was Liv's idea to
turn them into ornaments.

She's so smart.

Very smart.

Very single.

- Mom, seriously.

I'm sorry, please,
ignore this woman.

- Don't worry, my mom does
this to me all the time.

Makes me miss her.

This is really wonderful
Mr. and Mrs. Chang.

I'd love to help out as I
keep working on the story,

is there anything
else I could do?

- How about you and Liv
deliver the invitations for us?

- Hey, that's our job.

I mean, it would be a big help.

- Jack and I usually
do it together,

but it would be nice if you
could take it over for us

this year.

- Okay, great.

Oh, what happened here?

- Oh, that's the year
Liv became too cool

for a Changtastic Christmas.

- Just your average
moody teenager.

- You know, when Liv was little,
she used to get so excited.

She would put on a
performance of "Oh Holy Night"

in Cantonese.

It was the crown jewel
of the whole party.

And now all we can get her to do

is be the party photographer.

- Well, that's an important job.

- Thank you, Henry.

- That's also very convenient,

that way you don't have
to be in the photos.

- Hah.

- Okay.

Don't you have any more
questions for my parents?

- Could you tell
me a bit more about

the history of the party?

- Oh, settle in,
we've got all night.

- I know you're a
thorough journalist,

but you don't have to keep
helping out with the party.

- Oh, I don't mind, it's nice.

Feels like I'm helping
out my own family.

Plus, they're good people.

- Yeah, they are.

But they can also be
set in their ways.

In sixth grade, I
looked like a mushroom

because my mom insisted on
cutting my hair herself.

- I know, I saw the photos.

- Envelope, please.

- It's pretty cool that Andrew
designs these every year.

- Yeah, he's pretty talented.

But don't tell him
I said anything.

Merry Christmas Mrs. Chen.

Bye.

- There are a lot of these.

- Yeah, tell me about it.

All of the guests return
these stuffed with donations

and personal messages,

and then they're all attached
to a money tree at the party

where a random
envelope is selected,

whoever it is gets to present
all of the money collected

to the community fund,

which supports afterschool
clubs, tutoring, music, sports.

Hey Liv.
- Hi Mrs. Mendez.

- Fancy seeing you here.

- Thank you.

Here you go.

- Thank you.

Any intel on your dad's
dish for this year?

- Oh, sorry, my lips are sealed.

Okay, well see you at the party.

- Bye.

- You seem to know your
neighbors pretty well.

- Yeah, it's a
tight-knit community.

- It's great.

Even in a big city,

you can still experience the
warmth of a close neighborhood.

- I don't know, I've
always been uncomfortable

with how much everyone
knows my business.

- This party seems pretty great,

I don't understand why
you're so resistant to it.

- I know you don't.

Fortunately, this
story isn't about me,

so you don't need
to worry about it.

- After we're done
delivering all of these,

do you mind if we stop by
Mrs. Lin's store again?

I want to get something
for your parents

for letting me be part of the
full Changtastic experience.

- That's very sweet.

- I hope they like it.

- I'm sure they'll love it.

- Did you know that all the
China Towns around the world

have a similar look
because of this China Town?

- No, I didn't.

- After the 1906 earthquake,

a group of Chinese Americans
hired non-Chinese planners

to rebuild and create a family
friendly hub for tourism.

What they ended up with was
something not quite Chinese,

but not quite American.

- How do you know all of this?

- I'm a journalist,
I did my research.

Don't they teach this in school?

- No, actually they don't.

But there is one place I know
a little something about.

Welcome to the oldest
cathedral in California.

It was where my great
grandparents learned English

way back when

and my mom forced us to go
to Saturday Chinese school.

It's beautiful in
here, isn't it?

- It really is.

- This church has been a
symbol of East meets West

for over a century.

The stone foundation was cut
and made to order in China,

and the brick came
from New England.

It was also the first
Chinese mission.

- Hello.

- Hi.

- Welcome to Old St. Mary's.

Don't forget to light a candle
and say a Christmas prayer.

- I used to love
coming to church

with my family to light candles,
especially at Christmas.

Every candle here is
someone's prayers.

Just imagine if each
prayer is answered,

how much good is
happening in the world?

Should we light some of our own?

- Sure.

- What?

- I was just thinking how
this was a really nice way

to end the day.

Thanks for sharing it with me.

- My pleasure.

And thank you for
teaching me some history

about my own city.

- It's so nice of your parents
to have me over for dinner.

I'm getting more than a story,

they've really helped
me feel at home here.

- They're great at
that, aren't they?

- Did she just say the
cilantro looks sad?

- She sure did.

Mom likes to haggle here
because she feels like

she's connecting to her roots.

But no one haggles in China
Town, it's so embarrassing.

Go ahead and taste it,
they're so fresh and fragrant.

The tomatoes are,

they're,

ugly.
- Ugly.

- Yep, called it.

Well, if you are
really not happy,

then I'll make a second
dish for the party,

and go back to Chinese school,
I can barely understand you.

- Oh.

Our next interviewee is ready.

- Oh, you don't wanna
see my mom buy beef?

Mrs. Fung's husband
is the butcher,

and the show always
reaches a climax here.

- The party means so much
to what we're doing here.

- It has that much of an impact?

- Oh yeah, without the party.

We wouldn't have this equipment

or half the programs
we have going on.

As far as I'm concerned, the
Changs are community heroes.

- They seem like very
inspiring people.

- I certainly think so.

- What do you think drives them

to give back to the
community like this?

- Oh, I think Liv can
answer that better than me.

But there was a year
when a few families

were having difficulty affording

the extracurricular programs.

Liv didn't want her
friends feeling left out,

so she's the one that
started giving back.

- So the red envelopes
were your idea?

- The giving back part was,

the envelopes and money
tree were my parents'.

- You'd never imagined that.

- I didn't think
it was relevant.

- To our story
it's all relevant.

- I like to stay behind
the camera, remember?

Anyway, I've got what I
need here, how we looking?

Should we head
back to the office?

- Yeah, I think I'm good here.

Great.

Thanks so much.
- Of course,

see you at the party.

- Bye Liv.
- Bye.

- That must be a good one.

- Oh, it's just a silly
photo for another piece

I'm working on.

How's our story coming?

- I've got a pretty
solid rough draft.

Of course, we still have to
actually attend the party,

but the bulk of it is there.

You know, Liv,

we've got a chance to
make the front page here,

but that might not happen
if you hold that on us.

- Henry, my role in the party
is not important to the story.

- You don't know that,
what if it is the story?

- It's not.

Look, I know this
is about my family,

but I would still like
to maintain some boundary

between my personal
and professional lives.

- Okay.

I don't wanna put you in
an uncomfortable position.

Hopefully Andrew isn't too upset

he isn't named specifically.

- Thanks, Henry, seriously.

- Don't mention it.

And we're off.

Hopefully Charles likes
what we have so far.

You should probably
talk to him though.

The longer you wait, the
worse it's going to get.

- I know.

- Any interest in
going out to celebrate?

- I almost feel guilty for
how much fun I'm having

on my first assignment
in San Francisco.

Here's to a very merry
Christmas and to great teamwork.

- I'll cheers to that.

- Wow, I've never had an
eggnog martini before,

but that is surprisingly good.

- It might actually give
snowy Butterfly Pee Milk

a run for its money.

You know, Henry, we've only
been talking about my family

this whole time and I
know nothing about yours.

What about you?

Do you have a big,
loud family too?

- I was the eldest of five, so
it was pure chaos growing up.

- You must miss them.

- I really do.

My family doesn't really
celebrate Christmas,

so I wasn't expecting the
holidays to make me so homesick.

- If it helps.

I'm sure my parents would
be happy to make you

an honorary Chang for Christmas.

- It actually does help.

- What do you say? Should
we get out there and dance?

- No, no, no, no, no way.

And besides, I
have two left feet.

- Come on, where there's
music, there's dancing.

It'll be fun.

- Wow, my goodness, oh my
goodness, that was amazing.

Now I know why your
parents are so bummed

you don't sing up
the parties anymore.

- I can't believe
I just did that.

Now's probably a
good time to call it,

I don't wanna die
of embarrassment.

- Yeah, you look like
you're having fun.

How about a stroll to
top of the evening?

I'll walk you home.

- Sure.

- I had a really
good time tonight.

- Me too.

Thanks for pushing me
outside of my comfort zone.

- Anytime.

Thanks for letting me unload
about my family back home.

- Of course, I'm
sure they miss you

just as much as you miss them.

I'll bet they're even
bragging to anyone

who will listen about their
brilliant journalist son

and his new life in America.

- Yeah, maybe.

Unless I don't cut it out here.

I mean, don't get me wrong,

The Bangkok Post
is great and all,

but this is the San
Francisco Chronicle.

I mean, that's a big deal.

- Imposture syndrome,
I know it well.

Henry, Charles wouldn't
have taken a chance on you

if he didn't think
you were great.

I mean, front page potential,
and from what I've seen,

you're thorough, compassionate,
good with people, you care.

And once this article comes
out, everyone is gonna see that.

Oh no.

- Oh, well look at that.

- I can't believe it, this has
my mom written all over it.

I mean, there might as
well be a sign that says,

"My daughter lives here,
somebody kiss her."

It's too much.

- She sure does
go the extra mile.

Well, I guess I should
probably get home.

- Yeah, yes, totally.

Thanks, I'll see you
at work tomorrow.

- Of course, sounds good.

- Okay.

- Morning, Liv.

- Oh hey, Henry, morning.

- Hey, I got you something,

a little memento
from last night.

- That's very funny.

- Snagged it on my way
to work this morning,

figured I'd eliminate the threat
of any unwanted affection.

- Well, it's the nicest
gift I've ever received.

- Good, you're both
here, in my office.

There's some good stuff here.

We got Christmas and fun
and community and spirit

and so on and so on.

But it's not there, you
know, something's missing.

We gotta dig deeper
into the Chang family

to get to the
heart of the story.

- Yeah, I know.

I may have held back on
some of those details.

- Well put them in there,

the reader wants a
personal connection.

- Actually, there's
something I need to confess.

The thing is, Henry held
back because I asked him to.

- You asked him to?

Well, why exactly
did you do that?

- Wow, well, that didn't
go as well as I'd hoped.

I don't think I've seen Charles
that disappointed before.

Surprised he didn't
take me off the story.

- He didn't take you off because
you are great at your job.

He knows this is complicated

and that it took
guts coming clean.

I'm proud of you.

- Oh, Henry, I gotta run,

I have to go pick up
the red envelopes.

- I'll come with you.

- It's okay, I'll be quick,
and you're busy with the story,

you have three
days to rewrite it.

- This is the story.

I'm not gonna find it by
sitting behind a computer.

- Let's roll.

- Thank you, Mrs. Chen.

- So that was the last one.

- Thanks for being my pack mule.

- My pleasure.

- So you ready to lug that
bag back to my parents?

- Sure.

But instead of walking,

there's something I've been
wanting to do since I got here,

and now would be the
perfect opportunity.

- Henry, careful, you're
being such a tourist.

- I basically am a tourist.

Come on, join me, live a little.

- Sir, sit down please.

- Henry, you're gonna
get us kicked off.

- Don't tell me you've
lived here all your life

and you've never hung off
the side of a cable car?

- I definitely have not.

- I'm gonna tell you
this is a friend,

I think your brother's right,

you need to stop
worrying so much about

what other people think of you.

- Okay, friend.

But I think that there's
a difference between that

and acting like a civilized
member of society.

And please don't
side with Andrew.

- I don't know, I
think he's got a point.

Of course, if you
wanna prove me wrong.

- Merry Christmas San Francisco.

- Merry Christmas San Francisco.

- You two hooligans are
off at the next stop.

- Hooligans.

Henry, where did the bag go?

Excuse me, have you
seen where our bag went?

Did anyone know
where our bag went?

Must have searched a 10
block radius and nothing.

What am I gonna do?

My parents are gonna kill me.

- Oh perfect timing.

Henry, I hope you
brought your appetite.

What's wrong?

You lost it, all of it.

- That's bad, even for you.

- How are we supposed
to tell everyone that

we lost all their money?

- Mr. and Mrs. Chang,
this is really my fault.

We both took turns
carrying the bag,

but I should have made
sure we still had it.

- I knew we shouldn't
let her do it.

It's our tradition, Ivy.

- I thought it would be
nice to pass this on to Liv,

to get her to reconnect
to the party again.

- Why are you always
trying to force me

to be a part of all of this?

You know I don't like being
the center of attention

like you do, that's
why I take the photos.

- You don't need you to be
the center of attention,

we need you to be a part of
this family for Christmas.

We want you to care just
a little about the party,

about this family.

If you did, maybe this
wouldn't have happened.

- Care?

I think the problem is
I've always cared too much.

I don't want this family to
be a target for ridicule.

That's why I had to
set some boundaries.

- You can't get mad at us
for trusting you to handle

something so simple.

- Simple, this is
anything but simple.

Why do we have to display
envelopes on a tree

for everyone to see?

You always make
everything this big show,

and you expect me to
be someone I'm not.

This party is a circus,
and it's embarrassing.

- I didn't realize we were
such an embarrassment.

- Mom, I didn't...

- No, ah, no, I understand now.

My daughter's ashamed of us.

Your father and I
will handle this.

We'll apologize to
everyone at the party,

we'll tell them that
we lost the money.

Don't worry about saving face,

in fact, it'll be best
if you didn't come.

- Hi.

- Good morning.

I wanted to see
how you're doing.

- I'm taking a
mental health day.

- I hate to bother you, but we
still have a story to submit.

It's a tight deadline.

- Henry, I can't be a part
of this story anymore.

- Liv.

- I'm serious, I've
ruined everything.

My parents don't even
want me at the party

and I don't blame them.

So for now, I need
some time alone, okay.

- Okay.

- I took some great photos,
so just choose your favorites.

- Thank you for agreeing
to talk with me again,

I know it's not the best
timing after last night.

- We're sorry you
had to see that.

- We appreciate you caring
about our story so much.

Hopefully we're still
front page worthy.

- There's a really
special story here,

I just wanna make
sure I get it right.

Is it okay if I set up a camera

to make sure I get everything?

- Of course.

Well, I hope you're ready to
get your hands dirty again.

- You know it.

Oh, and before I forget, I
got something for you too.

- Oh, you didn't have
to get us anything.

- Ah, just a little thank you.

- Oh, I love it.

- Thank you.

- All right, well let's
start putting together

some goody bags.

- Okay, there's a whole
system here, Henry,

so follow along closely.

First off, we have
these little jars of

Liv's special hot chocolate.

And despite what
happened last night,

I have to admit it's delicious.

So into the bag it goes.

Next, we have peppermint
tea, some candy,

and Liz's special
Christmas fortune cookies.

- Liv's done a lot this year.

- I know she acts like
she's too sophisticated

for our party, but she
does have a good heart.

- Maybe it's because
we're her parents,

but we always want everyone
to know how amazing she is.

- Even when we're mad at her.

- Welcome back.

- You remember me?

- Of course.

You came in with that
tall, handsome man.

How are you?

- Honestly not great.

I kind of ruined
Christmas for my family,

an entire
neighborhood, actually.

- I'm sure it's not that bad.

- Oh no, it is.

I didn't just ruin a party.

I lost thousands
of dollars intended

for the kids in
our neighborhood.

I called my parents
an embarrassment,

even though the entire
community loves them.

And now they're gonna let
everybody down because of me.

And that tall, handsome man,

well, I basically abandoned him

while he tries to
pick up the pieces

of the disaster I've caused.

- Oh, I see.

May I?

This party would it happen to
be the big Christmas soirée

that happens a few
blocks from here?

- You know about it?

- Well, I'm usually in the
cathedral when it happens,

but I hear it's a real joy.

It's strange how a time of year
so filled with joy and hope

can also be the
cause of heartache.

In the grand scheme of things,

I believe Christmas
symbolizes a time

of communities coming together

and refuge for those who
need it, even when it's dark.

Follow me dear.

Fortunately, darkness
is easy to drive away.

Sometimes we just need a
little help from our neighbors.

That's why sharing our
light is so important.

You never know who else
around you might need it.

- Are you an angel?

- Oh no, I've just
lived a long life,

but I am a neighbor
if you need one.

- Thanks.

- We got these made special
for the 25th anniversary.

- Hey, stuff and talk you guys,

I'm not gonna fill
all these bags myself.

- This is from the
20th anniversary,

the year Santa showed it
up to help me hand out

my sesame candy canes,

didn't go over so well.

- I am curious though,

why infuse all the
Chinese elements

into your Christmas party?

- Chinese and Christmas
traditions just go together.

I mean, red and green
are lucky colors,

so our decorations were
already made for Christmas.

- Jack and I just wanted to
reconnect with our roots,

you know,

and share that Asian family joy

with our children
and our community.

- It's also why we used to
have Liv sing at the party.

We wanted her to feel
proud of her heritage

and feel the love and
strength for the community

that loves her.

You should have seen how moved
the Chinese families were

when they saw a little
Liv in their cheongsam,

singing a Christmas
tune in Cantonese.

They loved it,
everybody loved it.

- Yeah, I know, we can
be a little over the top.

Okay, a lot over the top.

- We just like to put our
own spin on everything,

but that's what being
Chinese American is.

It's the best of both
worlds and a hot pot mess.

- Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas.

- Writer's block?

- Welcome back, how was
your mental health day?

- Very productive actually,

thank you for sending
me the interview,

it was exactly what
I needed to hear.

- I'm glad.

- I think I was so caught up in

how the party was affecting
me all these years,

I completely lost sight
of the incredible people

who put it on.

- They really are something.

- I wanna apologize for
everything that's happened.

I know I've made a
mess out of things.

I let my own baggage
almost derail the story.

I hid the truth of who I am
from you and from Charles,

which could have scrapped
your first assignment.

I'm done running
from that person now.

- I'm happy to hear it.

- And I think I know a way
to raise back the donations

I lost.

- You do?

What do you have in mind?

- Let's consult an expert first.

There he is.

- This is your expert?

- An expert in
being Changtastic.

- What up least favorite child?

- Oh, I'm glad to see you too.

- Henry.
- Hey.

- So what's up?

- I wanted to tell you
that you were both right.

I spend way too much
time caring about

what other people think.

- Called it.

- And you both
deserve the full truth

as to why I run from Liv Chang
and became just Liv Rose.

- Wow, this is serious.

- This whole mess
started in seventh grade,

the last year I
sang at the party,

and it turned out to be the
most embarrassing moment

in my life.

I actually liked
singing for everyone,

and I loved the red
cheongsam grandma bought me,

I was so excited to show it off.

So I invited a few
girls from my class.

They recorded me and sent it
out to everyone at school.

So for the rest of junior high,

all the kids would
make fun of me,

singing to me in
a Chinese accent.

- Liv, that's awful.

- Looking back,

I wish I didn't give into
a bunch of basic bullies,

but after that, I wasn't
really myself anymore.

I was trying to blend in,

but also feeling guilty for
trying to distance myself

from everything Chinese.

I'm really not embarrassed of
our family or of the party,

I'm embarrassed of myself,

but I'm not even sure if I
know who myself is anymore.

- You know you don't have
to be one thing or another.

You can be everything you are,

artist, amateur baker,
annoying sister.

You know what it helps me out,

knowing that hater's gonna hate,

but you, mom and dad always
got my back, no matter what.

- Thank you for having
my back, both of you.

- I think other people
should hear this.

I'm sure you're not the only
one who has felt this way.

- Well, that's why I
brought you both here today.

It's time to show everyone
who I am, all of me.

I just hope they still like
me once they get to know me.

- They'll love you.

- Yeah, just be yourself,
but you know, less weird.

- Okay.

- Hi everyone, I'm
coming to you live

because there's
something important

I have to get off my chest.

Most of you know me as Liv
Rose, the photographer.

But there's a part of me I've
avoided for a very long time.

My name, my full name
is Liv Rose Chang.

And my family and my
community need your help.

- Whoa, this sweater
costs 90 bucks.

- Why is there a money
tree in the backyard?

I thought with
everything that happened,

we weren't gonna have one.

- Relax, there's no
money in the envelopes.

- Then why did you do that?

Any minute now I'm gonna
have to go out there

and tell everyone that
there is no money.

The tree will still
be nice to look at.

- It's okay, son,

your mom's just a little
high strung tonight.

You haven't heard from
your sister, have you?

- I thought you told
her not to come.

- We did, but that doesn't
mean we don't want her here.

- Thank you, thank you.
- Welcome.

- Hi.
- Where are you guys?

- Mom and dad are flipping out.

We're almost there,
is everything ready?

- I'm just waiting on you.

- Hope you're ready for a
party you'll never forget.

- Whoa.

- Yeah, that's the right word.

- It's about to
pop off any second,

you really cut it close.

- What can I say? I'm a Chang,

I have a flare for the dramatic.

- Thank you everyone for
joining us here tonight

to celebrate the
25th anniversary

of the Changtastic
Christmas party.

- We wanna start
by thanking you all

for your incredible help,

it wouldn't have been
possible for this party

to have grown and
endured without each
and every one of you.

- This year we have some
news we need to share.

Normally by this time,

we would have a tally of all
the donations that we received,

and we'd be picking
an envelope to see

which lucky neighbor
gets to announce

just how much we get to
give back to our community.

But unfortunately, this
year, that's not the case,

because the truth is...

- I lost the money.

I'm so, so sorry.

I was careless.

And I think it's because
I never truly understood

just how important
this party is.

In fact, I was embarrassed
to be associated with it.

But with the help
of a new friend

and the kindness of a neighbor,

I finally realized that this
party is more than just my

parents' outlandish way
of celebrating Christmas.

It's their way of bringing
our community together

to celebrate our friendships

and remind each other
that we have each other

to lean on when we need to.

Many of you have known
me most of my life

and have supported our family
through our ups and downs.

And I know my parents have
done the same for you too.

And that's something special

I want to make up
for what I lost

and all those years
I spent hiding

from this big, absurd,
over the top, fun, joyous,

magical celebration of
the best time of the year.

I did have to ask
for some help though.

So I wanna thank
all of my followers

who watched and reshared my
video and donated generously.

They made up all of your
donations and then some.

- Hang on, excuse me, hang on.

Hi, I found your money.

- You what?

- My friends and I saw it
fall off the cable car.

But by the time we caught
up to you, you were gone.

I saw your video online,

so I finally figured out
how to get it to you.

- I can't believe this, what?

Thank you, what's your Name?

- Nora.

- Thank you Nora.

Thank you.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Does this mean there's
twice as many donations

as there usually are.

- And more.

I have one more
surprise for you.

- That's my daughter

Liv, that was...

- Incredible.

- Mom, dad, I'm so sorry
I've been so selfish

all these years.

- We're just happy
to have you back

in the Chang fold sweetheart.

- I'm speechless,

I don't think that's ever
happened to me before.

- He's a good one, isn't he?

- He is.

And you'd be very
stupid to let him go.

- Mom.

- If it helps,
pretend we hate him,

it'll be an act of rebellion.

- Well, I think it's time
I start taking your advice.

I clearly have a lot
to learn from you two.

- That seems like it
went over pretty well.

- I think we're finally starting
to understand each other.

And I also think you
and I make a great team,

and I would love to cover
more stories together.

- I'd like that.

And I hope we can keep
being friends too.

That is, if you're
okay with blending

your personal and
professional lives a little.

- I wanna be more than friends.

- So you ready to celebrate?

- I almost forgot something.

- Say grandchildren.

- It's perfect,

that Liv Chang is a
pretty good photographer.

- Come on, I have
a gift for you.

- Oh.

- Don't tell my mom,

or she'll think she's the
reason for this story too.

Merry Christmas Henry.

- Merry Christmas Liv.

- Okay to come in?

- We've got leftovers.

- You know I can't
stop these two.

- What took you guys
so long, come in.

- Sorry.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.