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| From "Pleasing Men" to "Little Seals": Zhang Ruonan Explains Fan Name Controversy (Sohu Ent) |
Zhang Ruonan has finally broken her silence on a controversy that’s quietly lingered since the early days of her career — and it all comes down to what her fans were once called.
Appearing on a Chinese TV programme on 21 April, the Cry Me a Sad River actress gave her side of the story about the now-retired fanbase name that once caused a right stir online.
She shared that the name “Nan Friends” wasn’t some marketing ploy or PR stunt, but rather a heartfelt term born out of a sweet moment between her and one of her earliest supporters.
Back in her post-debut days, Ruonan attended a press event for Cry Me a Sad River alongside the film’s lead cast.
Among the crowd was a fan who had travelled all the way from Fujian just to see her — proper dedication, that.
After the event, the fan posted a message online referring to themselves as a “Nan Friend” — basically, a friend of Zhang Ruonan.
The phrase stuck, and Ruonan decided to make it the official fanbase name. Or so she thought.
But here’s where it gets murky. The fanbase name was also linked with the Chinese term “媚男” (meinan), which translates literally as “to please men.”
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It mixes the characters for “charm” (媚) and “man” (男) — and in modern Chinese internet slang, it's anything but flattering.
Meinan is often used as a dig against women seen as pandering to the male gaze, particularly those in the spotlight. Think: submissive behaviour, cutesy mannerisms, or anything that screams “pick-me.”
So, when people caught wind of this meinan label, the backlash was swift.
Critics felt it sent the wrong message — that Ruonan’s appeal was all about catering to male audiences, rather than her acting chops or hard work.
Others felt it played into tired sexist tropes that female idols and actresses are constantly trying to shake off.
To avoid more drama, and in a move that seems both savvy and self-aware, Zhang Ruonan’s fan community decided to ditch the name altogether. The new choice? "Little Seals" (小印章).
Adorable, creative, and controversy-free.
According to fans, the new name symbolises leaving an impression, much like a seal stamp — a fitting metaphor for how Zhang’s presence sticks with people, minus the problematic undertones.
Zhang's clarification was calm and candid, and fans praised her for being open about a sensitive topic.
In an industry where image is everything, setting the record straight — especially on something so easily misunderstood — is no small thing.
Whether you call them Nan Friends or Little Seals, one thing’s clear: Zhang Ruonan’s fans are sticking by her side, name change and all.