is instant family based on a true story

After losing her father, Nora Smith moves with her mother into the Lowe family, where she suffers constant bullying from her stepbrothers and relentless humiliation. Her mother urges her to remain silent, but everything changes when she discovers her stepfather's plan to marry her off to her lazy stepbrother, Xavier Lowe. Refusing to accept this fate, Nora hides her acceptance to a top university and escapes, taking on odd jobs to support herself while secretly pursuing her studies. Years later, her exceptional talent catches the attention of Rivelle's leading company, Grant Corp, which funds her studies abroad. Now, at 27, Nora returns as a powerful and influential figure, determined to reclaim her life.

Nova was separated from her mother as a child and has been searching for years. Now a wealthy tycoon, she returns home, where her bullied mother suffers. Will her arrival transform her mother’s fate?

Born with a rare martial talent, Lily Charles was forsaken by her family to pass the Phoenix Blood to her brother Fred. Years later, she returned to the Charles clan on a mission to defeat the Evil Lord, harboring resentment towards her mother. As the truth unraveled, Lily's journey for redemption and revenge unfolded.

The Smith family welcomed a pair of twins, and an expert claimed one a lucky star and the other a curse. He predicted that the lucky twin would become the top scholar in eighteen years. Their grandmother, valuing boys over girls, was certain that the elder brother, Joel Smith, was the fortunate one and tried to kill his sister. A kind maid, Ivy Lake, saved Zoe Smith, who was then raised as a servant in her own home. Years later, both siblings make three wishes, and soon, the Smith family becomes the richest in Halton. Their faith in Joel deepens, and Zoe suffers even harsher treatment—until the scholar's plaque arrives. To everyone's shock, the so-called cursed girl, Zoe Smith, is actually the real top scholar!

Emma is a single mother who's relied on her wits and guts to raise three wonderful sons. On her father's 70th birthday, Emma's mother invites her home... but Emma is greeted with nothing but harassment and bullying from her two jealous sisters and money-grubbing father. Even her eldest son's fiancee humiliates her at a party, and her long-divorced ex-husband and best friend treat her like trash! But Emma ultimately overcomes all the prejudice, finding true love and happiness anew.

Grace, an orphan imprisoned by her adoptive family, is raised to be sold to a corrupt official. Desperate to escape with her disabled brother, she seduces billionaire Jackson Carroll, using him as her weapon.

As the only daughter of the Merrick family, Kirsty Merrick bears the responsibility of marrying into the prestigious Bartley family to lead the Merrick family to new heights, as carefully orchestrated by her mother Evanna Taylor. Kirsty successfully secures a betrothal with Morgan Bartley, the playboy son of the Bartley family's second heir. Unknown to Kirsty, Morgan has been secretly involved with Jess Merrick, Kirsty's only friend who grew up with her in an orphanage. Years later, when brought back to the Merrick family, the kindhearted Kirsty could not bear to abandon Jess, and thus pleaded with her parents to take Jess in as well. Now, Jess has begun an affair with Kirsty's fiance Morgan. To get back at Morgan, Kirsty designs a plan to seduce and intoxicate Nicolai Bartley, the young CEO of the Bartley Group, leading to the start of a dangerous "underground affair."

Eight years ago, Lily Moore thought she had lost her boyfriend forever. Heartbroken and pregnant, she entrusted her newborn daughter, Luna Moore, to her mother, Jean Lake, and disappeared from their lives. For eight long years, Lily never returned home, never once seeing the child she left behind. Now gravely ill, Jean seeks out her daughter in the city, desperate to secure a future for Luna. But Lily, now married and determined to protect her new life, refuses to acknowledge the little girl she once abandoned…

Having stayed fifteen years at an orphanage, Natalie Shawn was taken back to the Lynch family when she was fifteen. However, her parents cared only about their adopted daughter, Vicky Lynch. Vicky could hear Natalie's thoughts and stole all of the hit songs Natalie wrote. After being accused by Vicky of plagiarism, Natalie got killed by Vicky's crazy fans. When Natalie was reborn, she decided to fight back.

On the day of Valeria Castle's engagement, her mother, Marilyn Castle, arrives at the banquet disguised as a cleaner, only to face humiliation from the Hardy family. A wealthy woman fights her over a parking spot, her future mother-in-law enforces strict household rules, and her fiancé demands an outrageous betrothal gift. But Marilyn soon reveals her true identity. Wayne Cuddy, Aaron Shaw, and Basil Brady step in with a billion-dollar dowry, instantly turning the tide. From that moment on, she proves her strength time and again, expertly resolving the crisis at Price Corp. In the end, as foreign capital threatens their empire, she takes Valeria abroad—ready for the next battle.

The Empress's daughter, Xia Yan, was forced to leave the palace at birth. The Emperor searched for her for seven years, only for her stepsister to assume her identity in her stead. Determined to prove who she truly is, Xia Yan becomes the youngest magistrate, solving cases and eventually capturing the Emperor's attention. With the help of Zhuge Bowen, she reclaims her rightful identity and all that belongs to her.

On the day of Valeria Castle's engagement, her mother, Marilyn Castle, arrives at the banquet disguised as a cleaner, only to face humiliation from the Hardy family. A wealthy woman fights her over a parking spot, her future mother-in-law enforces strict household rules, and her fiancé demands an outrageous betrothal gift. But Marilyn soon reveals her true identity. Wayne Cuddy, Aaron Shaw, and Basil Brady step in with a billion-dollar dowry, instantly turning the tide. From that moment on, she proves her strength time and again, expertly resolving the crisis at Price Corp. In the end, as foreign capital threatens their empire, she takes Valeria abroad—ready for the next battle.

Allie Mullen single-handedly raises Kellan Conley and Lyla Conley. Sacrificing everything, she works tirelessly to save money for Kellan's education, hoping he will return to help his hometown after completing his studies. However, Kellan disappears for ten years without a trace. The villagers believe he has abandoned his family and forgotten his roots. When the Conley village faces a major relocation project, Cedric Conley and the other villagers attempt to forcibly evict Allie, who refuses to leave, still holding onto hope for her son's return. Meanwhile, Kellan has finally completed a task for the wealthy Cecelia Johnston and is returning home. In an ironic twist of fate, Allie and Kellan narrowly miss each other during his return. It is Lyla who eventually finds her brother by chance, spotting him in a television interview. Finally, after years of separation, mother and son are set to reunite.

At seven, Hailey left her mother Claire to avoid burdening her during cancer. Years later, now a billionaire, Claire eventually finds Hailey—betrayed by her fiancé and about to be harmed by his mistress, Claire, furious, pulled out a gun…

Minnie Lane and her siblings had always relied on each other since they were kids. But an accident tore them apart, separating them for years. Fifteen years later, her younger siblings have each achieved success in their respective careers, while Minnie, tragically, was sold by human traffickers to Victor Zane in a remote village. Now, her younger siblings are determined to set out on a journey to find their eldest sister and bring her home.

Jones Sean witnessed her beloved daughter fall from the building and die. The culprit was her ex-husband. To avenge her daughter, she changed her identity and transformed into a female entrepreneur worth over a hundred million. In this way, she manipulated those driven by greed.

No matter what life throws your way, keep moving forward.

Nadia Hart was born into a poor family in the countryside, yet she managed to earn a spot at a prestigious university after her parents humbled themselves to secure her tuition. Determined to make a name for herself, Nadia swore she'd bring honor to her family. Years later, as a successful professional, she returns to develop her village—only to face accusations of disgrace. Little do they know, she is the very person they now hope to befriend: the director of Smith Corp.