Lu Han, Guan Xiaotong’s ‘Sweet Combat’ alienates fans

BEIJING: Fans are turning away from the TV drama Sweet Combat over how stars Lu Han and Guan Xiaotong are being portrayed.

In China’s male- dominated society, not many viewers can stomach seeing a man constantly needing the protective care of a woman.

This inversion of roles by Lu Han and Guan has been widely ridiculed.

Sweet Combat is a school drama produced by Mango TV and Jinxi Entertainment, a subsidiary of Huace Film & TV.

Some 38 episodes have been planned.

Lu Han and Guan – who are a real-life couple – portray university classmates who share a passion for boxing.

But such a controversial role is beginning to damage Lu Han’s popularity, despite his status as a best-selling music artiste.

Bad reviews have stalked Lu Han since the release of the trailer for the drama.

Online comments were sarcastic. Many were targeted at Guan for taking on the more masculine role, with Lu Han apparently taking on an effeminate role. Making it worse was that Lu Han was not convincing in his role as a boxer.

Lu Han’s previous drama Fighter of the Destiny had scored high ratings, thanks to his wide fanbase.

However, with the copious criticism raining down on Sweet Combat, it’s inconceivable that it will score high ratings.

One irked fan wrote, “I’ve been a fan of Lu Han for five years, but I will not watch this one even if you kill me.”

Grumbled another disenchanted fan: “The story seems so outdated, like it’s from ten years ago.”