Zhang Linghe was mocked as the "foundation cream general," and He Rundong cleverly shut him down.

Zhang Linghe continues to attract attention with his appearance in the drama "The Jade," co-starring with actress Tian Xiwei. His scene as a general going into battle is currently going viral across social media.

In *The Jade Axis*, Zhang Linghe plays Xie Zheng, a marquis who leads troops into battle. What's noteworthy is that the character's appearance leans towards that of a "scholarly general," with pale skin, red lips, an almost flawless face, and impeccably clean armor. Many battle scenes are staged in an aesthetically pleasing style, prioritizing visuals over realism, leaving viewers feeling unconvinced.

On social media platforms, numerous clips from the film showing Xie Zheng calmly fighting on the battlefield without getting dirty quickly went viral. These images became a subject of ridicule, with many saying the character looked more like he was putting on a fashion show than participating in a fierce battle. From then on, netizens also gave Zhang Linghe the nickname "the foundation-faced general."

The comparison became even more intense when viewers juxtaposed Xie Zheng with the portrayal of Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, by He Rundong in "The Han-Chu War." While He Rundong scored points with his rugged, powerful appearance, exuding the aura of a true warrior, Zhang Linghe was considered too "polished," lacking the necessary toughness.

Beneath the related posts, a flurry of sarcastic comments appeared, revolving around the characters having to "apply makeup before going into battle" or "going into battle while still maintaining perfect makeup." These opinions reflect the disappointment of a segment of the audience with the trend of filmmaking that overemphasizes physical beauty while neglecting logic and authenticity.

However, many fans also spoke up in defense of Zhang Linghe. They argued that in the original novel, Xie Zheng was portrayed as a "scholarly general," so maintaining a clean and handsome appearance was reasonable. According to this viewpoint, there is no rule that dictates that a general on screen must always be unkempt, ugly, or dark-skinned.

In fact, Zhang Linghe is not the first case to face controversy over excessive makeup. Previously, many young male actors in Chinese television have also been criticized for their overly polished appearance, lacking masculinity in period dramas. Examples include Luo Yunxi in *Water Dragon's Lament* and Cheng Yi in *Fu Shan Hai*.

The controversies surrounding Zhu Yu and Zhang Linghe show that audiences are becoming increasingly demanding about the quality of films and television shows. In addition, one of the most discussed issues is the suspicion of "inflated viewership numbers." Many netizens believe that the investment and broadcasting platforms used media tactics to boost viewership, resulting in the film being "all hype and no substance."

Specifically, the metrics regarding reach, social media discussion, and supposedly viral scenes from the drama "Jade Axis," as well as those of the two lead actors, Zhang Linghe and Diao Xiwei, do not match the announced achievements. This discrepancy raises questions about the transparency of the figures and diminishes confidence in the drama's true impact.

Furthermore, Zhang Linghe himself became embroiled in a personal controversy related to his statements, forcing him to issue an apology. However, before the controversy surrounding his remarks could subside, the actor once again became the center of attention because of his role in the film.

Truong Lang Hach insulted Southeast Asians, had to apologize urgently, fans turned their backs Trần Mạn17:10:22 10/03/2026Truong Lang He is becoming the focus of discussion on social networks after a controversial statement in a TV show in China. The incident made the audience in Southeast Asia turn away.