Grandma Wu
(Meilin: Hey, Grandma.)
Poor dear. It must be so difficult keeping that unruly beast at bay. Your family is here now, Mei-Mei. And we will take care of everything.
Played by Wai Ching Ho 
Turning Red (2022) · 105 quotes
Turning Red (2022) · 105 quotes
This is a disaster! Unbelievable! Ming! How could you let this happen?! She's out of control!
More lines from Grandma Wu
9 quotes Grandma Wu
Grandma Wu
I know how hard it is to keep the beast in. It feels so good to let it out. So free. But each time you do, the stronger it gets. And then you'll be bound to it forever, and the ritual will fail.
Grandma Wu
Your mother and I were close once, but the red panda took that away. I couldn't bear to see that happen to you. So no more panda. I know you'll do what's right.
Grandma Wu
Ming, this is a critical time. Mei-Mei needs a strong hand now more than ever. Don't let her out of your sight. (Ming: I won't, Mother.)
Grandma Wu
[looks up and sees 4-Town logos projected by searchlights in the sky]
What is that?! (Ming: Um, I think it's coming from the SkyDome, Mother.) [scoffs in disgust] Four is the worst number.
Grandma Wu
Long ago, the spirits blessed the women of our family with a great challenge. Mei-Mei, tonight is your turn. Like all the women around this table, you too will banish the beast within and finally become your true self. May Sun Yee guide you and keep you safe.
Grandma Wu
Sun Yee give me strength. [transforms into her red panda]
Grandma Wu
You don't have to apologize. I'm your mother.
Grandma Wu
[turns to the viewers, wearing a red 4-Town pendant; annoyingly disgusted]
So unlucky.
Scenes with Grandma Wu
6 scenes
Ming
How is this possible?! What happened to your panda?
Meilin
It's easy. When I start to get emotional, all I do is imagine the people I love most in the whole world. Which is you guys.
Ming
Oh. Oh, Mei-Mei.
Meilin
So, now that that's settled, I just have one teeny-tiny favor to ask.
Ming
[scene cuts to Ming looking at Mei, not happy later that evening…] [defiantly]
No. Absolutely not.
Meilin
What?! But this is once in a lifetime!
Ming
Mei-Mei, it's one thing to stay calm at home or school, but a concert? You'll get whipped up into a frenzy and panda all over the place.
Meilin
I won't, I won't! I promise! You saw me keep it in!
Jin
Ming, maybe we should trust her.
Ming
It's them I don't trust! Look at those glittery delinquents with their… [shudders in disgust] Gyrations. Why on earth do you want to go so badly?
Meilin
[imagines herself and her friends at the concert while chugging soda, and Robaire proposing to her; back to reality]
Like I said, I just want to broaden my musical horizons.
Ming
This isn't music, this is filth! And it's not worth jeopardizing your life over. Right, Jin?
Jin
Uh--
Ming
[insistently, thinking Jin agrees]
See? Your father agrees. No concert, and that's final.
Meilin
[inhales sharply with a tightened sarcastic grin]
Okay, well, thanks for listening. Good night. [picks up her 4-Town CDs and radio, and walks to her room with an annoyed scoff]
Ming
What was that? Am I the only one who sees the danger here? There's no way she could keep her panda in. And $200?! For what?! Who do they think they are, Celine Dion? [the phone rings and Jin gets up to answer it] Hmph. Unbelievable. I saw that look. Where does she get that from? Treating her own mother like that.
Jin
Hold on. Ming, it's your mother.
Ming
[panicking]
I'm not here! [lays down on the sofa, curling in a fetal position, then takes the phone out of Jin's hand; shakily] Mother. Hello. [on speaker] How's everything in Florida?
Grandma Wu
[while putting makeup on]
Ming. I know about Mei-Mei.
Ming
I was just about to call you, but everything's fine. [hesitantly] I'm gonna handle the ritual on my own.
Grandma Wu
[scoffs as she puts lipstick on]
The way you "handled" Mei-Mei being on the news?
Ming
No one knows anything. They barely saw her!
Grandma Wu
I'm on my way... with reinforcements.
Ming
NO, I CAN HANDLE IT! I CAN... [Grandma Wu hangs up]
Grandma Wu
[As Meilin is about to sneak out through her bedroom window to head over to Tyler's birthday party, Grandma Wu suddenly enters]
Mei-Mei, can I have a word with you?
Meilin
Uh, sure. What's up?
Grandma Wu
[takes a folded cloth out behind her back and unfolds it, revealing a piece of red panda fur]
I found this. Strange for a girl who hasn't let her panda out.
Meilin
It's, uh… [chuckles nervously] It's not mine.
Grandma Wu
Mei-Mei, I know what you're doing. I know how hard it is to keep the beast in. It feels so good to let it out. So free. But each time you do, the stronger it gets. And then you'll be bound to it forever, and the ritual will fail.
Meilin
Has that ever happened?
Grandma Wu
It cannot happen. [sighs] Your mother and I were close once, but the red panda took that away. I couldn't bear to see that happen to you. So, no more panda. You are your mother's whole world, Mei-Mei. I know you'll do what's right.
Jin
Mei!
Meilin
Dad?
Grandma Wu
We have to save your mother!
Chen
She's gone loco!
Jin
Mei, we have to the ritual again!
Meilin
What happened?! She's HUGE!
Jin
I told you, she was big!
Meilin
THAT BIG?!
Mingzilla
Mei-Mei!
Mingzilla
THIS ISN'T YOU!
Meilin
[savagely]
This IS ME! [angrily bites Mingzilla's paw as she poofs into her panda form]
Jin
[Mingzilla roars and screams in rage and let goes of her, making her fall]
Mei, are you okay?
Panda Meilin
[angrily]
I'm not your little Mei-Mei anymore! I lied, Mom!
Mingzilla
[shocked]
What?!
Panda Meilin
It was my idea to hustle the panda. My idea to go to Tyler's party! It was all ME! I like boys, I like loud music, I like gyrating! [her eyes turn red] I'M 13, DEAL WITH IT!
Grandma Wu
[After a short pause, Mingzilla growls extremely livid over being lied to and ratted out by her own daughter and roars in fury]
The ritual. [claps her hands] Everyone in position!
Grandma Wu
Sun Yee, give me strength. [takes off her panda bracelet and throws it on the ground, breaking it, poofs into her panda form, and rushes over to help her granddaughter] Pull, Mei-Mei!
Panda Meilin
Grandma?
Panda Grandma Wu
I am not losing my daughter! [to the aunties] Don't just stand there!
Panda Chen
[The aunties rush over to them while taking off and shattering their trinkets, poofing into their red panda forms]
Make room for your elders, Mei-Mei!
Panda Meilin
What?
Panda Ping
We're with you!
Panda Meilin
What are you doing?! What if you can't turn back?!
Panda Helen
Your mom needs us!
Panda Lily
She's family!
Panda Grandma Wu
Less talking, more pulling!
Ming
[sadly sighs as Grandma Wu hugs her]
I'm sorry.
Grandma Wu
Shh. You don't have to apologize. I'm your mother. [to Meilin; sighs] May Sun Yee guide you and keep your safe. One at a time, ladies. And quickly.
Chen
That's it? Mei-Mei's keeping the panda?
Helen
It's her life. Now move.
