Make Zhonghe Great Again, the sequel to director Dong Runnian's 2023 workplace comedy hit Johnny Keep Walking!, is set to open in theaters across the Chinese mainland on Aug 1.
Ahead of its nationwide release, limited advance screenings of the film were held on July 27 and 28, earning acclaim and achieving ratings of 9.6 out of 10 on the country's two major ticketing platforms, Maoyan and Taopiaopiao.
Retaining the signature dark humor of its predecessor while incorporating fantasy elements, the sequel follows two employees at a large corporation: an ambitious team leader eager for a promotion and a veteran grassroots worker who knows the unwritten rules of the workplace inside out. After discovering a bizarre phenomenon — that every failed assignment or resignation request resets the timeline to its starting point — the pair become trapped in an endless time loop, forcing them to join forces to seek solutions.
Speaking at the film's Beijing premiere on July 29, director Dong, who co-wrote the screenplay with his wife and the film's chief producer, Ying Luojia, said the story is rooted in the realities of today's workplace, particularly the repetitive routines and pressures faced by office workers.
By focusing on familiar workplace frustrations and everyday struggles, the film aims to give voice to the emotions of working professionals while offering audiences a fresh and unexpected cinematic experience. Through laughter, he said, the comedy seeks to help viewers release stress, find resonance, and ultimately gain a sense of healing.
Ying said she hopes that, through the film, audiences will see these individuals as they truly are, and that more grassroots workers will be recognized and valued for who they are.
Currently, the film has earned a combined box office — from advance screenings and presales — of over 30 million yuan ($4.4 million), according to the live industry tracker Maoyan Pro.
