Based on the EMPATHICS model, this study investigated the foreign language learning well-being of four doctoral candidates. The data mainly came from in-depth semi-structural interviews. The findings are as follows: 1)doctoral candidates’ subjective well-being directly hinged on learning motivation and was mainly manifested as the pleasure derived from aspiration for knowledge and the satisfaction from completion of academic tasks. The psychological well-being mainly came from the academic growth, the cultivation of perseverance and the improvement of thinking pattern. Social well-being was derived from the actualization of social value emerging from social interaction. 2)Four doctoral candidates achieved psychological well-being and social well-being by overcoming negative emotions and establishing positive social interaction. The transformation between different types of well-being was influenced by doctoral candidates perezhivanie (lived / emotional experience)as well as indicative of a new perezhivanie. Finally, this study concludes by pointing out the importance of heightening doctoral candidates well-being by regulating negative emotions and enhancing interpersonal interaction.