When “Sissy” Gets a Glove Tossed on the Runway
Picture This…
In a video that popped up on Weibo like a pop‑chart hit, the 21‑year‑old idol Gan Wangxing was strolling through the airport, eyes twinkling with face‑paint and all that. Then, off‑camera, a guy started yelling “niang pao” – Mandarin for “sissy” – twice. It’s the kind of thing you’d expect to spark a diva‑level drama, but our boy simply marched on, head held high.
China’s New “Manly” Playbook
- Earlier this month, Beijing swapped out its old “look‑no‑boob” rules for a fresh gust of moral policing: no more “effeminate” looks on TV shows.
- Reuters reported that authorities and state media have been shouting about how boy stars must “step up” towards a more rugged, less‑make‑up‑heavy persona.
- According to the South China Morning Post, “sissy men” are those who fall outside the traditional macho mold. Some argue they’re a threat to social values – feel free to add to the discussion.
Netizens Stumped, Yet Stoic
The comments section was a cocktail of bewilderment and sarcasm:
- “Do people now use vulgarities as a new way to prove they’re men?” one netizen asked.
- Another laughed, giving the heckling guy a “virtually wonderful” shout‑out.
Wangxing: Street‑Cred or Gym‑Cred?
Despite the online insults, it turns out our star’s roots are firmly planted in the track field. Before glamorized “Produce Camp 2021” (a show where singing talent meets reality TV), Wangxing was a second‑level national athlete – just one rung below Olympic qualification. He even got a direct university spot in 2017 by sprinting the 4x100m relay at the National Athletics Championships for middle‑school pupils. No wonder people are cheering for him to keep his “masculine” vibes on track.
All In, All Playful, All Real
While this tale drifts between #sissy and #shock, it’s also a reminder: You can be a guy and still have an edgy make‑up look, and that’s totally cool. China’s new crackdown isn’t quite cutting-edge – it’s a classic attempt to polish the image of male idols, very much like a barber trimming a beard too aggressively.
Want More?
Check out the 7 male K‑pop idols using makeup to be unapologetically themselves, a series that reminds us that some folks paint their path to success with a splash of color – it’s a hue, not a threat.
