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| Back to School at 41? Zhang Han Clears the Air on High School Scene in New Drama (Pics: Weibo) |
“It’s just a flashback, relax lads.” actor says after online backlash over ‘too youthful’ role
Chinese actor Zhang Han, best known for his heartthrob roles in the early 2010s, has found himself back in the spotlight – but not exactly for the reasons he might’ve hoped. The 41-year-old star sparked a bit of online chaos after behind-the-scenes shots of him in a high school uniform in "Zhengdao Feidao" started making the rounds on social media.
Netizens didn’t hold back. With his signature fringe and teen get-up, Zhang Han was seen playing a student in an upcoming film – and the Internet had opinions. Comments like “looks like a dad borrowing his kid’s uniform” and “this ain’t high school musical, bro” quickly flooded Weibo and Douyin, triggering debates on age-appropriate casting in Chinese dramas.
📣 “Relax, It’s Just a Flashback Scene”
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“I heard I’m trending for playing a student? It’s just a flashback scene in my new movie. Appreciate the concern!”
With that short-and-sweet response, Zhang Han indirectly shut down claims that he was trying to fully pass off as a teenager in the entire film. According to earlier reports, Zhang Han’s actual character is a criminal police captain named Li Zhengdao – the school uniform bit is merely a scene from the character’s past.
Still, the internet remained divided. While some fans defended his right to experiment with storytelling, others weren’t sold. One top-liked comment read, “Just let go of the ‘campus prince’ era already.”
🎬 The Drama Behind the Comeback
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So, his re-entry into the scene is being watched closely – maybe too closely. Every detail, down to a school uniform in a short scene, is getting dissected.
🧓 Still Clinging to the Past, or Just Doing His Job?
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Whether it's nostalgia or just bad luck, Zhang Han seems stuck in a cycle of defending his casting choices. This isn't the first time he's been told to “act his age” – it’s been a recurring theme ever since his breakout role as the iconic Murong Yunhai in Meteor Shower, where his polished "bossy cool guy" image was all the rage. But times – and tastes – have changed.
Now, fans and critics alike are asking: should Zhang Han lean into more mature roles, like a CEO or a dad, rather than trying to rekindle that youthful spark?
⏳ Will This New Film Save His Image?
There’s no denying that Zhang Han is trying to pivot. With this new suspense film, and a darker role at the centre of it, he may finally get the chance to show a new side of himself – if audiences are willing to give him a fair shot.
For now, the school uniform might have overshadowed the plot, but if the film delivers, people might just stop talking about his fringe and start paying attention to his acting again.