Sun Yejia (USA)
Excellence Award
Author Biography:
Sun Yejia is a playwright from Beijing, currently residing in New York. Her works have been performed at venues such as National Sawdust and the Exponential Festival (JACK) in New York, as well as the Young Theatre in Shanghai. (www.yejiasun.com）
Award-Winning Work: The Rules of Love (60 Episodes)
Synopsis:
The story follows young director Lilian, whose O1B visa was mistakenly mishandled by her law firm, forcing her to leave the country within a set deadline. Her feature film project, however, is already in pre-production and about to begin shooting. Facing this dilemma, she seeks help from the law firm but is brushed off. Desperate and out of options, she impulsively decides to marry the first stranger she meets after leaving the building to obtain a green card—James, who turns out to be a partner at the same law firm.
Initially, their marriage is purely transactional, meant to solve the visa issue. But through shared experiences and challenges, genuine feelings gradually develop between them. They quickly register their marriage at City Hall, and film production commences, while the green card application process begins.
Yet, filming does not go as smoothly as expected. Lilian faces typical obstacles of an aspiring filmmaker, from conflicts with a popular Hollywood influencer over the lead role to pressures from producers. Meanwhile, James’s partner discovers that he married without a prenuptial agreement and fears potential disruption to the firm. During a location scouting trip, Lilian and James, initially cooperating for visa documentation purposes, find themselves growing closer emotionally. James ultimately chooses not to insist on the prenuptial agreement and helps Lilian secure the investment needed for her film.
While Lilian’s challenges are resolved, the law firm faces mounting troubles. A case lost by an unreliable partner tarnishes the firm’s reputation. James, aiming to steer the firm toward commercial disputes and mergers while expanding its nonprofit sector, struggles against his partner’s insistence on high litigation profits. The firm teeters on the edge of acquisition, and James feels his long-held vision slipping away.
During an immigration interview, the couple’s romantic relationship is questioned, escalating tensions between them. Under the combined stress of career and life pressures, James collapses, and the partner sells part of the firm, leaving it in turmoil. Lilian steps in, postponing film production under the pretext of script revisions and caring for the hospitalized James. At this time, James reconnects with his estranged father in the hospital, and Lilian meets his mother for the first time, revealing James’s single-parent upbringing. Though misunderstandings arise, the experience ultimately brings the family closer.
Lilian resumes the filmmaking process. The producer finally agrees to help her with her immigration application after filming, eliminating the need for a marriage-based green card. James declines his father’s offer to buy the firm. Lilian finishes her final scene, depicting her personal story and untold experiences. Waiting outside the set, James reunites with her, and they embrace, finally accepting each other’s love.
Professional Review:
This series skillfully blends immigration realities, workplace politics, and romantic development. Its dramatic highlight lies in the evolution from a “marriage of convenience” to genuine emotional connection, set against the pressures of visa crises and law firm turmoil. The narrative effectively intertwines professional and personal conflicts, creating a contemporary urban romance micro-series with strong resonance.
