Chukok Jangneung Foundation Controversy Explained

Chinese actor Zhang Linghe is reportedly moving past the "Foundation General" controversy that arose from the drama "Jade Dynasty: Seeking Jade" after appearing in the environmental documentary "Exploring the Future." The documentary was produced by the American environmental organization WildAid and the Discovery Channel, and Zhang Linghe made a fresh impression with his natural appearance, wearing minimal makeup.

In "Exploring the Future," Zhang Linghe's clear and clean skin unexpectedly garnered attention, reigniting the "Foundation General" controversy from the drama "Jade Dynasty: Seeking Jade." This controversy erupted when a Chinese state-run newspaper sarcastically referred to Zhang Linghe's portrayal of a general as "Foundation General," and the China National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) held a meeting on the excessive makeup of drama actors. In response, fans of "Jade Dynasty" protested, arguing that Zhang Linghe's makeup was not excessive and that criticism was unfairly levied despite the actor's naturally good skin.

Despite the controversy, "Jade Dynasty: Seeking Jade" achieved great popularity, significantly increasing the fan bases of Zhang Linghe and his co-star Tian Xiwei. Consequently, the next projects for both actors are also drawing attention.

The China National Radio and Television Administration recently held a symposium with industry professionals, ordering them to "thoroughly reject lookism." This appears to have been prompted by the controversy surrounding Zhang Linghe, the male lead of "Jade Dynasty," who, despite receiving praise as a "handsome general," was ridiculed as the "Foundation General" due to his heavy makeup, which was deemed inconsistent with actual battlefield conditions. The NRTA emphasized the crucial role of dramas in conveying mainstream values and inheriting traditional culture, pointing out issues in some productions such as lookism, excessive makeup, and the use of costumes and props that do not align with the characters.

The NRTA stressed the need to move "from a star-centric approach to a script-centric approach," eliminating distorted beauty standards and creating vibrant characters through content- and character-driven creation. They also urged the avoidance of lookism and traffic dependency, emphasizing the importance of acting skills and artistic merit over actors' appearances. Costumes and makeup should be consistent with the character's image and the narrative progression, reflecting sound and positive values and Chinese aesthetics, they added. Moving forward, the NRTA plans to strengthen guidance and education throughout the entire production, broadcasting, and management process.