The daughter of a Beijing ballerina and a noodle maker, Charlie Wong grew up in New York's Chinatown. Though American born, her entire life has been limited to one small Chinese community. Now grown, she lives with her widowed father and 11 year old sister and works - miserably - as a dishwasher. But when Charlie lands a job as a receptionist at a ballroom dance studio, she gains access to a world she hardly knew existed. Discovering a love (and a talent) for dance helps her blossom - until her sister falls ill and she must reconcile her new life with her family.