Company gets hefty fine for misogynist ads

A company was fined 400,000 yuan ($55,900) by the Beijing market supervision authority for "violating social customs" after it allegedly produced advertisements that were disrespectful to women to market collagen peptide drinks.

According to qcc.com, an enterprise credit inquiry system platform, the market supervision and administration bureau of Chaoyang District in Beijing recently announced the punishment for the parent company running the brand Five Doctors and demanded it to cease circulating the widely criticized advertisements in accordance with China's Advertisement Law.

On Wednesday night, the brand released an apology on its social media account, saying it "sincerely accepts" the consequences and would "resolutely rectify" its wrongdoings.

"We solemnly apologize for the negative effect brought by our advertising content," it said, adding it had gone through "deep reflection" and launched a 30-day internal examination after receiving criticism.

Starting in late April, video advertisements for Five Doctors' collagen peptide drinks have gone viral on social media, with many saying they found the ads vulgar.

In the advertisements, mainly played on screens in elevators, women explain in a hysterical manner why they take the drinks. One says she takes it because her husband has upset her, while another says she needs it because she is getting older. The women all end up saying they are left with no choice but to take Five Doctors.

The content of the advertisements has been widely discussed on social media. Many people say the ads prey on women's anxiety about their lives, looks and age.