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| Is the “Guiding Boyfriend” the New Ideal Male Lead? Chinese Audiences Weigh In (Photo: Sohu/Netflix) |
Urban romance dramas are clearly entering a new phase, and Chinese audiences are noticing the shift. From recent mainland hits to imported overseas series, a specific type of male lead is quietly dominating discussions online. Calm, capable, emotionally aware, and never threatened by a woman’s ambition, this character has been labelled the “guiding boyfriend”, and viewers can’t seem to stop debating whether he represents genuine progress or just a polished remix of familiar tropes.
The conversation reignited with Love Between Lines, which quickly gained traction thanks to its male lead Xiao Zhiyu. Rather than simply being a romantic interest, Xiao Zhiyu is written as a steady presence in Hu Xiu’s life, supporting her growth as an architect while also helping her regain confidence after a failed relationship.
He guides without controlling, pushes without overshadowing, and that balance struck a chord with many viewers who are tired of dramatic power struggles disguised as romance.
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A similar response followed the Korean drama Can This Love Be Translated?, where Joo Ho-jin became a fan favourite almost overnight. His character stands out not because of grand gestures, but because of emotional consistency.
Paired with Cha Mu-hui, a woman shaped by family instability and personal setbacks, he acts as her anchor during career pressure and personal recovery. For many viewers, this calm, non-invasive form of support felt refreshing and unexpectedly moving.
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Beyond these two titles, the “guiding boyfriend” label has been widely applied to other characters as well.
Lin Yusen in Shine on Me, Zhou Sheng’an in the short drama Summer Rose, and Duan Xiuming in What a Good Girl have all been highlighted by audiences for displaying similar traits.
These male leads are usually competent in their own fields, emotionally mature, respectful of boundaries, and invested in growing together rather than “saving” their partners.
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At its core, this character type reflects a shift in audience expectations. Modern viewers want romance that allows space for individuality, ambition, and mutual respect. The appeal lies in balance: love without possession, support without superiority. Many netizens point out that this fantasy feels more aligned with real-life relationship goals than older romance formulas built on emotional imbalance.
Interestingly, fans are also quick to note that the “guiding boyfriend” isn’t entirely new. Earlier dramas laid the groundwork long before the term existed. In Love Keeps Going back in 2011, Han Yilie helped the female lead rebuild self-worth while respecting her autonomy.
In The First Half of My Life, He Han’s guidance played a key role in Luo Zijun’s post-divorce transformation. What’s changed is not the concept itself, but how frequently it now appears and how clearly it is being branded.
Some viewers, however, remain sceptical. They argue that characters like Xiao Zhiyu still carry traces of the cold, sharp-tongued CEO archetype, while Joo Ho-jin fits neatly into the long-standing “gentle mature man” image. From this perspective, the “guiding boyfriend” feels less like a breakthrough and more like a refined upgrade, carefully repackaged to suit current tastes and marketing narratives.
Online reactions are split. Supporters praise the trend for promoting healthier emotional dynamics and offering women characters room to grow without being diminished.
Critics worry that excessive “guidance” could slip back into subtle dominance if not handled carefully by writers. Others sit somewhere in between, enjoying the comfort of the trope while hoping future dramas push it further rather than playing it safe.
Whether trend or temporary label, one thing is clear: audiences are paying attention. As more urban romance dramas adopt this direction, viewers are becoming more vocal about what they want to see next.
Do you think the “guiding boyfriend” is a step forward for romance storytelling, or just old tropes with a new name? And more importantly, what kind of male lead do you actually want to see on screen next?