Lively debate over male roles

Hong Kong singer-actor Nicholas Tse recently said during a reality show that he is tired of seeing these stars, who are styled on those from South Korea. "It isn't that they're not good, but we should discover ourselves, rather than imitate. Men should get their hormones back," he said during the show.

It was not the first time a celebrity openly voiced such concerns. Director Feng Xiaogang once said in an interview, "Some young actors are feminine and they should be more manly."

Others are more ready to accept change. Liang Yurou, 19, a college sophomore from Fujian province, said: "It's stereotypical to think all male stars should be masculine, like Jackie Chan. As society diversifies, there are more options for fans to choose from."

"It's human instinct to long for good things. I like them not just for their appearance, but also personality. It's my choice－I want to be able to choose the type I like, no matter what others think about it," Liang said.

"Some idols have to wear heavy makeup as they need to portray a perfect image under stage lighting when they're singing and dancing. That's why they are ridiculed for being feminine," she said.

"It's like judging a book by its cover. You have no idea about their true character.

"Why should it only be females who can wear makeup? If men want to make themselves more charming by doing so, it's their personal choice."