Hilarious Family 2 reunites Li Jiaqi and Ren Hao, along with several returning cast members from Hilarious Family 1, to tell a new comedic tale set loosely during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The story follows Ai Si Xi, a young woman facing exile unless she marries, who hastily chooses the seemingly naive Jin Kan as her husband. What she doesn’t realize is that Jin Kan is from a wealthy tea merchant family who is secretly on a mission to avenge his mother’s death at the hands of his “proper” mother, Luo Zhu Si. Problem is, he just doesn’t know how. Chaos and laughter ensue as Ai Si Xi discovers Jin Kan’s true background and scrambles to secure a more comfortable life for herself.

This is genuinely one of the most enjoyable Chinese comedies I’ve watched in years. There were moments so funny that I found myself in tears from laughing. The comedic timing across the cast is exceptional, and it’s clear that the actors are having a blast. Despite its Ming Dynasty setting, the show cleverly mixes in modern humor and playful nods to common drama tropes, striking a good balance between satire and sincerity. It refreshing to have a drama that remains grounded in small-town life, touching on themes such as family dynamics and corruption, but never losing its lighthearted tone.

Among the standout performances, Chui Na Li sha, who plays Jing Zhen Zhu, steals the show. Her early scenes as the spoiled daughter of the Jing family are downright hysterical but she incorporates a surprising amount of pathos to the character. She masterfully incorporates elements of traditional Chinese opera while maintaining a thick Dong Bei (northeastern) accent even though she herself is from the south. Her dynamic with Li Jia qi and Zhang Ya Meng, the former who has deep ties to Dong Bei and the latter who grew up in Dong Bei, creates a natural comedic chemistry reminiscent of a Dong Bei sketch comedy. There were so many fun Dong Bei terms incorporated in the drama that I giggled with glee when I heard them pop up.

What I appreciated most is that the performances in the drama feel genuine and organic. The overall atmosphere feels warm, lived-in, and wonderfully cohesive.

Unfortunately, Hilarious Family 2 underperformed in viewership, averaging fewer than 10 million views per episode, which is disappointing given its quality. Its poor reception likely stems from the cast’s relative lack of star power and the broader decline in domestic viewership of Chinese dramas. Still, for those seeking a smart, lighthearted, and genuinely funny period comedy, this hidden gem is well worth watching.