由中国新生代艺人张凌赫、田曦薇主演的40集古装爱情剧《逐玉》，今年3月开始播出后大受欢迎，全剧创下34亿播放流量，荣登2026年年度剧王。它还走入泰国、马来西亚、越南和印尼市场，成为当地热门娱乐新闻。

不过，《逐玉》也引来中国网民、地方宣传部门和其他官方媒体的集体讨伐。他们批评男主角张凌赫妆造过度精致，是“粉底液将军”。中国解放军旗下的“钧正平工作室”在微博批评说：“军人，是民族精神的具象载体；是家国风骨、阳刚血性的核心象征。《逐玉》中的武安侯将军，却被塑造成涂脂抹粉、精致柔弱的偶像模样，带来的文化与精神危害不可小觑。”中国国家广播电视总局还召开电视剧健康审美座谈会，不点名批判《逐玉》存在“颜值至上”、“颜值崇拜”的不良创作倾向。

《逐玉》已经落幕，为什么落幕后还继续引来舆论声讨？男性强调颜值，是一种文化和精神危害吗？这种争议又反映了怎样的社会氛围？

这期的早报播客《东谈西论》，听主持人韩咏红与华东师范大学传播学院新闻系副教授吴畅畅详细解析。

延伸阅读：

• 下午察：“粉底液将军”的颜值风波
• 中国要求电视剧摒弃畸形审美 央媒批“粉底液将军”

China’s period romance Pursuit of Jade has become more than a TV hit, sparking debate over beauty, masculinity and state influence in popular culture. The 40-episode series, starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, premiered in March and quickly drew huge viewership across Asia.

But the drama also faced backlash over its polished portrayal of a military hero. Online viewers mocked Zhang Linghe’s general as the “foundation general,” while a PLA-linked outlet criticised the show for weakening the masculine image of soldiers. Soon after, China’s broadcast regulator held a meeting on “healthy aesthetics,” warning against “appearance above all” and “idol worship,” in remarks widely seen as a veiled rebuke of the series.

The controversy points to a wider tension in China: between youth-driven fandom culture and official efforts to promote tougher, more patriotic ideals of manhood. In this episode of Global Heartbeat, host Han Yonghong speaks with Associate Professor Wu Changchang of East China Normal University to unpack the debate.

Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor, Han Yong Hong, Global Heartbeat is a Mandarin weekly news and current affairs podcast that is updated every Tuesday, 7.00 PM SGT. It is available on zaobao.sg, Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms.