“Foundation General” Controversy Escalates—NRTA Orders Crackdown on Appearance-Based Idolization

(Beijing, April 3) Chinese historical drama Zhu Yu has recently gained widespread popularity both domestically and internationally. However, its lead actor Zhang Linghe has sparked controversy over his refined on-screen appearance, with some netizens mockingly referring to him as a “foundation-wearing general.” In response, military-affiliated media Jun Zheng Ping issued a rare critique, arguing that overly softened portrayals of generals undermine traditional masculinity and a sense of social responsibility.

Amid the growing debate, the National Radio and Television Administration convened a “Television Healthy Aesthetics Symposium” on April 2. The meeting emphasized curbing the industry’s “appearance-first” trend and called for a return to content-driven storytelling, shifting focus from star power to strong scripts.

The symposium, led by the administration’s television department, brought together representatives from major streaming platforms and production companies, including Daylight Entertainment, Linmon Media, and Huace Media.

Officials noted that current industry aesthetics show signs of imbalance, including cases where styling and character design are inconsistent with narrative settings. Critics pointed out that excessive focus on polished appearances has led to disconnects between costumes, props, and story context, ultimately weakening character authenticity.

The meeting stressed that productions should avoid over-reliance on visual appeal and traffic-driven casting, emphasizing that audiences value compelling storytelling over superficial attractiveness. Creators were urged to uphold the principle of “content first, character at the core,” ensuring roles are portrayed authentically and meaningfully.

Further, the industry was called upon to “firmly reject distorted aesthetics” and transition from a star-centric model to a script-centric approach. From a production standpoint, styling elements—including costumes, makeup, and props—should serve character development and narrative integrity.

Finally, officials encouraged works to reflect a distinct “Chinese style” and cultural identity, reinforcing confidence in domestic storytelling and elevating the overall quality of the industry.