Lively debate over male roles

New idols cause controversy by redefining masculinity

In the late 1970s, Japanese actor Ken Takakura's toughguy persona in the movie Manhunt won him numerous female fans in China.

However, four decades later, preferences among young Chinese female audiences are shifting to xiaoxianrou, which translates as "small fresh meat", a reference to young male celebrities with fine, delicate features who often appear with elegant makeup.