One and Only 2023

Drama

Comedy

Box Office

$129M

Runtime

125 mins

Language

Chinese

Made by

Alibaba Pictures Group

Test your knowledge of One and Only with our quiz!

One and Only Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for One and Only (2023). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Ding Lei, Huang Bo, a veteran street dancer, crosses paths with Chen Shuo, Wang Yibo, a young dancer who loves and sincerely pursues his dreams. Ding Lei invites Chen Shuo to join his dance troupe, a colorful mix of masters with diverse personalities. Chen Shuo cherishes the chance, dreaming of his moment to shine in competitions, but soon discovers that the road to the spotlight is not as smooth as he hoped. Caught between family obligations and personal ambition, he remains steadfast in his original aspirations. While working to support his loved ones, he steadily moves toward becoming a professional breakdancer.

The film ONE AND ONLY shines a light on the journey of a nobody in pursuit of his dreams. Chen Shuo, a passionate teenager, carries the weight of his family, yet never gives up on his dream. He moves between life and passion, trying to balance faith and reality, and writes a hymn to his youth with his own determined will. The story also explores inter-generational inheritance: when Ding Lei, a veteran street dancer, meets Chen Shuo, a young street dancer, Ding Lei’s words > keep working hard and you will succeed rekindle the youngster’s faith; and Chen Shuo’s perseverance and hard work also rekindle the initial aspiration of the disillusioned street-dance veteran. The mentoring friendship and the reborn spirit of the group bring unparalleled strength to the teenager, who leads the members of the troupe with his enthusiasm and fearlessness, to craft together a passionate melody of summer with their youth.

One and Only Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of One and Only (2023) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Meeting of a veteran dancer and a young dreamer

Ding Lei crosses paths with Chen Shuo, a devoted and talented young dancer who shares a fierce determination to pursue his dreams. Chen Shuo is drawn to Ding Lei's experience and charisma, sensing a chance to learn from someone who has walked the street-dance road before him. Their initial encounter plants the seed for a mentorship that will shape both of them.

Ding Lei's dance studio

Chen Shuo invited to join the dance troupe

Ding Lei recognizes Chen Shuo's passion and invites him to join his dance troupe, a group of masters with varied personalities. Chen Shuo feels both honored and determined to prove himself in this new environment. The invitation marks a new beginning where talent meets opportunity.

Dance troupe studio

Facing family obligations and dream tension

As Chen Shuo steps into the world of professional street dance, he juggles mounting family duties with his artistic ambitions. The reality of supporting his family adds pressure and potential distractions to his pursuit. Yet his commitment to his dream remains unwavering.

Chen Shuo's family home

Hard training and steady progress

Chen Shuo trains rigorously in the troupe's demanding regimen, learning from masters with different styles and temperaments. Through repetition, discipline, and late-night practice, his technical skills and stage presence begin to sharpen. The grind tests his will but also forges his identity as a serious dancer.

Rehearsal hall

Ding Lei's mentoring words

Ding Lei offers guidance that rekindles Chen Shuo's faith in his own potential: keep working hard and you will succeed. The veteran dancer's belief becomes a crucial source of motivation. This mentorship deepens their bond and sets a path for the younger dancer's breakthrough.

Studio

Inter-generational bond strengthens the group

The mentorship between Ding Lei and Chen Shuo revives the group as a whole. Chen Shuo's energy and fearless attitude begin to lift the others, injecting the troupe with renewed purpose. The older generation's experience and the younger's drive fuse into a renewed collective soul.

Dance troupe studio

Balancing life, art, and expectations

Chen Shuo navigates the conflict between family responsibilities, personal growth, and the pursuit of professional recognition. The tension forces him to make choices that test his loyalty to his family and his dream. He demonstrates resilience by prioritizing both where possible.

Various locations

Preparation for performances and competitions

The troupe collaborates on routines, pushing boundaries and refining choreography for impending performances. Chen Shuo emerges as a leader within the group, guiding younger dancers with his enthusiasm and fearlessness. The road to the stage becomes a proving ground for their shared dream.

Rehearsal hall / stage

Ding Lei’s faith rekindles the youngster’s belief

Ding Lei's words resonate deeply with Chen Shuo, reigniting his conviction to pursue excellence despite adversity. This moment solidifies the generational bridge and demonstrates how mentorship can rekindle youthful ambition. The exchange reinforces the idea that experience can fuel new beginnings.

Studio

Chen Shuo leads the group with passion

Inspired by his mentor and his own growth, Chen Shuo begins to guide the group, sharing his energy and bravery. His leadership helps unify the troupe as they respond to challenges with collective vigor. The group starts to embody a reborn spirit of youth and determination.

Dance troupe studio

Creating a summer hymn together

The troupe channels their renewed spirit into a collaborative piece that becomes a hymn to youth. They compose and perform as a unified unit, celebrating the bond between generations and dreams. The performance become a symbolic milestone in their evolution.

Studio / stage

A nobody's journey toward being a professional dancer

The film centers on Chen Shuo's relentless climb from obscurity to professional ambition, showing that perseverance and faith can transform a life. He balances life and dream, learning to write his own destiny with every move. The narrative leaves the audience with the sense that youth, if pursued with grit, can triumph.

City streets / stage

One and Only Characters

Explore all characters from One and Only (2023). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Ding Lei (Huang Bo)

A veteran street dancer who believes in hard work and perseverance. He mentors Chen Shuo, rekindling his own passion and guiding the group with years of experience. His guarded wisdom and dedication illuminate the cost and reward of chasing a dream.

🎭 Mentor 💪 Veteran

Chen Shuo (Wang Yibo)

A young dancer who cherishes his dream of becoming a professional breakdancer while balancing family obligations. He is fearless, determined, and willing to work tirelessly to prove himself, embodying the film’s hopeful energy.

🎯 Dreamer 🔥 Determination

One and Only Settings

Learn where and when One and Only (2023) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Present day

Set in contemporary times, the film centers on a modern street-dance scene where young performers balance school or family duties with the lure of professional success. The era is marked by rapid city life and the transforming world of dance competitions. The tempo is energetic and youthful, reflecting a summer journey to find one's voice.

Location

Urban dance studio, Street stage, Competition hall

The film unfolds in urban rehearsal spaces, street venues, and competition halls where a street-dance troupe trains. These places are alive with music, footwork, and the push-pull of fame and family. They serve as the backdrop for mentorship, rivalry, and the pursuit of a shared dream.

🎭 Dance World 🏙 Urban Culture

One and Only Themes

Discover the main themes in One and Only (2023). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🎯

Dream Pursuit

Chen Shuo's relentless drive to become a professional breakdancer anchors the story. He navigates familial obligations while dedicating himself to practice and performances. The film paints the pursuit of art as a demanding but rewarding path, where discipline, practice, and belief converge.

🤝

Mentorship

Ding Lei's experience and ethos revitalize Chen Shuo's hope when he joins the troupe. The relationship shows how guidance and shared craft can revive a veteran's passion and define a new generation. Their bond demonstrates the transfer of knowledge, pressure, and encouragement through practice and performance.

🌟

Group Spirit

The troupe's diverse personalities clash and harmonize, creating a dynamic that fuels creativity. Together they form a supportive community that pushes each member toward bigger stages. The film portrays the rebirth of Ding Lei's spirit through collaboration, culminating in a vibrant collective voice.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore the mobile app

One and Only Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of One and Only (2023). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the pulsing heart of a bustling Chinese city, the underground world of street dance serves as both a refuge and a battlefield. Neon‑lit alleys and cramped rehearsal rooms echo with beats that demand sweat, rhythm, and raw honesty. At the center stands Ding Lei, a seasoned veteran whose reputation is built on countless battles and a stubborn love for the art. He runs a modest club where seasoned masters each carry their own quirks, forming a tapestry of personalities that embody the gritty, unapologetic spirit of the scene.

Into this world steps Chen Shuo, a young entertainer whose movement is driven by an unshakable belief in his dream. Though his heart beats to the same thunderous rhythm, he also bears the weight of family responsibilities that tug at his every step. The invitation from Ding Lei feels like a lifeline—a chance to train alongside the masters, to test his limits, and to find a place where his passion can breathe. The promise of competition looms, but the real test lies in balancing the pull of home with the call of the floor.

The film thrives on the electric chemistry between the two dancers, a mentorship that feels less like instruction and more like a dialogue across generations. Ding Lei’s weathered advice—keep working hard, you will succeed—reignites the fire in Chen Shuo, while the youngster’s relentless drive reminds the veteran of the ideals that first sparked his own journey. Together with a troupe of eclectic talent, they forge a collective heartbeat that swells with youthful optimism, summer heat, and the quiet determination to turn rhythm into something larger than themselves.

Can’t find your movie? Request a summary here.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.