Have China’s ‘little fresh meat’ actors Lu Han, Li Yifeng, Ma Tianyu, Yang Yang and Zhang Yixing passed their sell-by date?
A series of misfiring films starring good-looking young pin-ups suggest it may be time for nation’s entertainment bosses to rethink industry’s strategy
Could the appeal of mainland China’s boyish-looking male actors – known locally as “little fresh meat”– have passed its sell-by date? Disappointing box-office takings for this summer’s expected-blockbuster The Founding of An Army – a film starring many of these young pin-ups, which commemorated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army – suggests this may be the case.
People living outside mainland China are unlikely to have heard of these celebrities, known as “小鮮肉” or “ xiăo xiān ròu ” in pinyin. But they are omnipresent in the nation’s pop music, television series and films.
The phrase refers to stylish, good-looking young men – usually aged under 30 – who have trim physiques, flawless skin and often can be seen wearing make-up.
Some critics were quick to say the war film’s poor performance was the result of casting so many of the boyish-looking stars as real-life historical officials and soldiers. They claimed the “little fresh meat” stars were too young and not masculine enough for their roles – and that the film merely highlighted their shortcomings as actors.
