Michelle Topham 
English Title: Lao Jiu / Uncle
Chinese Title: 老舅
Also Known As: Lao Jiu (literal romanization)
Original Network: CCTV-8, Tencent Video, iQIYI
First Aired: December 15th, 2025
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Episodes: 27
Directors: Kong Er Gou (Big Mouth) , Li Qi Xing (Xing Jing Shi Ke 1: Feng Hua Zheng Mao)
Screenwriters: Han San Ping (producer of over 300 movies and 100 dramas), Kong Er Gou
Synopsis
Lao Jiu follows the life story of Cui Guo Ming (“Lao Jiu”), a man whose intelligence, curiosity, and restless energy lead him through a lifetime of starting businesses, trying new ventures, and chasing dreams – often with humorous and unexpected results.
Though he frequently misses the best opportunities and faces setbacks, his optimistic outlook and the steadfast support of his family help him keep going. Over time, Lao Jiu learns that family bonds and friendships are the most valuable treasures in life.
The story is rooted in everyday life with a warm, nostalgic tone that balances laughter and heartfelt moments as the characters navigate personal growth and shifting social landscapes.
Main Cast & Characters
- Guo Jingfei as Cui Guo Ming
- Wang Jia Jia (aka Esther Wang) as Li Xiao Zhen
- Chen Ming Hao plays Huo Dong Feng
- Zhang Xin Yi is Cui Xiao Hong
- Liu Yi Tie as Cui Xiao Yang
- Liu Pei Qi plays Old Grandpa
- Ge Si as Old Man Liu
- Xu Bai Hui plays Miss Yang
- Yao Anna is Feng Juan
- Zhang Hai Yu as Da Da
- Mu Li Yan plays Lao Lao
Production Notes
- Supervision & Executive Production: Han San Ping — a veteran producer known for major Chinese productions.
- The series uses nostalgic period details (costumes, retro street settings, everyday objects) to evoke the texture of the past and deepen the emotional resonance of Lao Jiu’s journey.
Themes & Style
- Comedy & Heartfelt Drama -The show is a light-hearted family story with comedic beats rooted in Lao Jiu’s endless curiosity and misadventures.
Family & Personal Growth – Central themes explore the importance of family support, friendship, resilience, and finding meaning beyond material success.
Slice-of-Life Narrative – Characters are portrayed with warmth and detail, balancing humor with emotional depth.
Where to Watch
- CCTV-8 (China)
- Tencent Video
- iQIYI
Audience & Reception
- Early buzz included 800K+ reservations for the series before it aired, indicating strong anticipation.
- Douban rating (recent) ~ 7.6/10 reflecting positive viewer feedback.
Articles about Uncle
Guo Jing Fei and Esther Wang’s Uncle grabs 26,000 on the heat index – releases ‘family photo’ poster
Guo Jing Fei and Esther Wang’s ‘Uncle’ gets cast poster and December, 2025 premiere date
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