Lively debate over male roles in China

Korean ideal: While K-pop styled Chinese actors like Kris Wu (left) are popular among young women, non-feminine Korean movie star like Ha Jung-woo is still a big boxoffice draw in the region.

IN the late 1970s, Japanese actor Ken Takakura’s tough guy persona in the movie Manhunt won him numerous female fans in China.

Four decades later, however, preferences among young Chinese female audiences are shifting to xiao xian rou, which translates as “small fresh meat”, a reference to young male celebrities with fine, delicate features who often appear with elegant make-up.