Amanda Wong’s portrayal of Mei Sou on When Calls the Heart deeply impacted a fan. She recalled a message she received from a 13-year-old Chinese American girl who felt seen.
Sharing Her Experience With Bullying
When Mei first arrived in Hope Valley, she was bullied into marrying Geoffrey Lewis (Chris Cope). He forged a marriage certificate, but she refused. He then ordered her to be arrested for abandoning their non-consensual marriage. Mei refused to be Geoffrey’s wife.
Wong can relate to being bullied. During a panel at the 2025 Hearties Family Reunion, she spoke out about her childhood. “So, I remember being 13. I was a little bullied and a lot teased. I loved ancient civilizations and fantasy, and kids didn’t really like that about me,” Wong said.
Because of this, Wong immersed herself in books. She fell in love with stories that made her feel seen. Her goal at the time was to become a writer, so she could do the same for others. “If I could help them feel seen, then my mission in life is complete,” Wong added.
Now, she’s one of the cast members of Hallmark’s hit series. She received a letter from a young girl who felt seen when she saw Wong’s character. “And I get this sweet message from a girl in Tennessee, and I feel very full and like my mission is complete,” she said.
This is Why Representation Matters
Wong didn’t share the details of the letter. However, her message struck Hearties on social media. Many took to the comments section of the Instagram post to react. One identified themselves as the young girl’s mother.
“REPRESENTATION IS AMAZING!!! So happy she got to see her and ask her a question!! You know I love that girl!! She is my baby!” the person wrote.
“Don’t get me cryin’ again y’all! This meant the world to my daughter, ❤️” someone else commented.
Hearties are looking forward to seeing Mei’s storyline play out on Season 13 of WCTH, which is currently in production. Hallmark renewed the show earlier this year, and the premiere date is slated for sometime in 2026. Do you think the show does a good job with representation? Sound off below in the comments section.
