Lively debate over male roles

Liang believes that her admiration for such male stars has had a positive effect on her as she studied hard for the gaokao, or national college entrance exam. She said she edits photos and videos of one such idol, whom she did not name, and follows his example in donating money to charity.

She does not think such behavior will affect her chances of finding the right boyfriend.

"He doesn't have to be handsome, but should look clean-cut and neat. Personality counts, such as being responsible and honest," she said.

Fan Xiaoqing, an expert on South Korean movies at the Communication University of China, attributes the popularity of "beautiful" male stars among young Chinese women as partly due to the influence of Japanese and South Korean pop culture.

"South Korean idols are talented－they shine onstage with their excellent singing and dancing. They're gentle and they look cute when they smile. There is no doubt that young women are only too glad to idolize them," said Fan, who lived in South Korea for five years.

She said the men that young women mainly encounter from childhood are their fathers, grandfathers or teachers, who are far removed from these South Korean idols. However, Fan added that popular South Korean male movie stars often play muscular roles and have good acting skills, such as Ha Jung-woo, one of his country's highest-grossing stars who attracts long lines at the box office.

She believes there is no cause for concern about the aesthetics of "feminine" male stars, and this isn't a type of pop culture that will not change.