Photo: Courtesy of Xixi Pictures

 
"Reunion" has always been the most important keyword for Chinese people during the Spring Festival. Home  is where the heart belongs during the Chinese New Year and getting together with family always brings great happiness. 
 
Chinese TV series Islands, which is airing on China's state TV station CCTV, also tells a story of reunion during the Chinese New Year through the experiences of the Meng family. 
 
Starring Xu Fan, Ma Sichun, Liang Jing and Li Xiaoran, the series co-produced by CCTV and Xixi Pictures delves into the story of Grandma Qiao Haiyun and her three daughters as well as their own families. 
 
Family has always been a theme favored by Chinese audiences, which has been proven by a number of similar series like A Lifelong Journey, A Long Way Home and The Bond. Shows like these have repeatedly demonstrated the irreplaceable importance of this theme and the profound cultural consensus it has formed in the hearts of Chinese audiences.
 
Islands is another family story that originates with the life of a common family, making people feel a comforting warmth and a power for good. 
 
In the Chinese philosophy of life, family members may have disagreements and there may be many disappointments in their daily lives, but home is always a warm haven for everyone, and there is always tenderness and strong ties between family members that is thicker than water. 
 
The three generations of women in the Meng family are traveling on different tracks when it comes to life, work and pursuit of ideals but they always bonded with each other. 
 
"We use the arcs of different characters to paint a family portrait and depict the concept of family. They stay together and help each other. This is also the structure of a family," said Yang Xiaopei, the artistic director and chief producer of the series. Hot issues such as intergenerational communication, parent-child relationships, and the balance between career and family are also explored to help more people gain the courage to overcome difficulties and return to the warmth of family.   
 

Photo: Courtesy of Xixi Pictures

All in all, with its modern presentation and expression, the popularity of Islands lies in the core essence of China's traditional culture and virtues such as honesty, sincerity, self-improvement and tolerance.