Hanoi [Vietnam], March 25: The source of this ridiculous situation stems from a junior colleague of He Rundong, nearly two generations younger - the rising star Zhang Linghe, who is currently enduring a storm of public criticism with the moniker "foundation cream general" in his latest online historical drama project.
From "foundation cream general" Zhang Linghe to audience disillusionment.
In mid-March 2026, the historical romance drama " Jade Axis" officially aired, sparking numerous controversies regarding the styling of its main cast. In the series, Zhang Linghe plays Xie Zheng, a young, resourceful general who constantly faces life-or-death situations on the battlefield to protect the kingdom. However, contrary to expectations of a valiant and heroic figure, this character unexpectedly became a "cosmetic disaster" in the eyes of fans of historical dramas.
According to the Zhonghua Wang newspaper , the peak of the outrage stemmed from the scene where Xie Zheng returns victorious from battle. After days of hardship on the battlefield, this military commander appeared with a flawless, smooth complexion, luscious red lips, meticulously applied makeup, slicked-back hair adorned with two pheasant tail feathers, and, most notably, a gleaming suit of armor that looked brand new.
Even Zhang Linghe's graceful, swaying horseback riding gait was mocked by netizens as "strolling on a catwalk rather than a triumphal arch." The keyword "foundation cream general" quickly climbed to the top of the hot search rankings on both Weibo and Douyin.
Mocking posts proliferated. Chinese viewers sarcastically remarked, "Other generals carry swords and spears to the battlefield, but General Xie Zheng carries a bottle of foundation and a makeup brush." This wave quickly spread to Vietnamese netizens. On forums discussing Chinese dramas, numerous posts exposing Zhang Linghe's excessive meticulousness garnered tens of thousands of interactions. The fact that the production team of "The Jade" deliberately ran media articles praising the male lead as a "new generation general" only added fuel to the fire, causing netizens to collectively dig up the past and ridicule the young idol using standard criteria.
Ha Nhuận Đong suddenly gained 1 million new followers.
Amidst the storm of criticism directed at Zhang Linghe, a name seemingly forgotten by audiences unexpectedly resurfaced with great frequency: He Rundong. At 50, the Taiwanese actor was enjoying a slow-paced life. He only occasionally took on cameo roles to satisfy his passion for acting, spending the rest of his time pursuing his passion for real estate and family. However, thanks to the "self-destructive" portrayal by a younger actor, classic scenes from He Rundong's films from over a decade ago in *Chu Han Legend* (2012) and *Romance of the Three Kingdoms * (2010) suddenly went viral again at breakneck speed.
According to Sina , the portrayal of Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, by He Rundong, is the most accurate reflection of the superficiality of the current generation of idol actors. In "Legend of Chu and Han ," to embody the majestic and awe-inspiring Xiang Yu, He Rundong donned a suit of armor weighing nearly 50kg. His battle scenes were depicted with sun-tanned skin, a scruffy beard, a face covered in mud, and eyes as sharp as razor blades, filled with the murderous intent of someone accustomed to facing life and death. Chinese audiences exclaimed that this was truly a "human armored tank" straight out of history.
One Douyin account received tens of thousands of likes for its comparison: "He Rundong riding a horse gives off a 'I'm going to sweep everything away' vibe, while Zhang Linghe riding a horse gives off a 'ladies, look at me' vibe." Without any glittering makeup, He Rundong's rugged and even "tattered" appearance unintentionally became the pinnacle of masculine aesthetics.
Thanks to this unexpected "archaeological" craze, in just two days at the end of March, Ha Nhuan Dong's personal page attracted more than 1 million new followers. Many fans in Vietnam also simultaneously shared clips of him playing Lu Bu and Xiang Yu, praising his visuals as "renowned throughout the world, the more battered he looks, the more godlike he becomes."
Some comments that received a lot of interaction included: "He Rundong as Xiang Yu: 50kg of heavy armor, his face covered in mud, yet still exuding a fierce aura. Zhang Linghe as the general: 0.5kg of plastic armor, two layers of foundation on his face, afraid of dust getting in his eyes," "The difference between 'War God of the Battlefield' and 'War God of Foundation' is the difference between a sky full of character and a portable mirror," "The film crew must have mistaken the script from 'Generals Going to Battle' to 'Handsome Men Attending a Beauty Contest'. The battlefield is cleaner than my bedroom," "In this era, generals don't need strategy, just keeping their makeup from smudging while riding a horse is enough to succeed?"...
A breakdown in the aesthetic mindset of traditional Chinese culture: Beauty regardless of circumstances.
The comical incident between He Rundong and Zhang Linghe is not simply a comparison of acting styles between two generations, but also reflects an alarming reality of the modern Chinese film industry. With the rise of idol-style historical dramas, producers seem to be blurring the lines between a general protecting his country and a handsome, tranquil man confined to his chambers.
Ultimately, Zhang Linghe is just a typical victim of the "beauty regardless of circumstances" trend. The pressure from young fans, who demand their idols look their best in every frame, has forced directors and makeup artists to create unrealistic characters. From perfectly unkempt hair and elaborate makeup that conceals every blemish, to armor as light as silk, everything inadvertently destroys the soul, the fiery and tragic spirit of the historical setting.
In contrast to the artificial beauty sculpted with foundation and light filters, He Rundong's generation captivated viewers with their raw, uninhibited performance. The muscular physique, rigorous physical training, and majestic aura of their predecessors created a solid wall that today's "idol generals" find difficult to overcome. Audiences had every reason to criticize Zhang Linghe, because deep down, they longed to see a historically significant beauty, not a forced fashion show.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
