On September 25th, the mainland streaming platform “iQIYI” officially announced a new drama “Mr. Nandinger” starring Hu Ge, and released the concept poster for the new drama. The drama’s title “Mr. Nandinger” and its English translation MALE NURSE sparked discussions among netizens, propelling the related topics to the top of the trending list.
Hu Ge, who won the Best Actor award at the Huading Awards for his role in Wong Kar-wai’s film “Blossoms,” has finally announced the details of his new drama. The character “Nandinger” in the new drama “Mr. Nandinger” is inspired by a lady named “Florence Nightingale,” a British nurse and a pioneer in modern nursing and nurse education. International Nurses Day is celebrated on her birthday, May 12, in her honor.
From the poster, it is evident that the drama titled “Mr. Nandinger” has changed “Nandinger” to “Nandinger” with “male” title. According to the official announcement, the drama pays tribute to healthcare workers and depicts “warmth and healing in ordinary life.” The prominence of Hu Ge in the cast indicates that he is the leading male protagonist in this drama.
For a male-centric work titled “MALE NURSE” in English, the Chinese title humorously borrowed the sound of a female nursing pioneer, changing “Nan” to “Nan,” which triggered discontent among many Chinese netizens, leading to a flood of negative comments on the official announcement post.
Some netizens believe that Florence Nightingale is a great woman, and altering her name in the title by adding “Mr.” disrespects the historical figure and female nurses. Criticisms towards the title have left many perplexed and dissatisfied with the naming choice of the drama.
Due to the controversy surrounding the new drama’s title and the perceived use of a female figure to enhance a male character, the lead actor in the announcement, Hu Ge, also faced backlash. Apart from criticizing the title, some internet users directed their frustration towards Hu Ge himself, causing a stir on his personal Weibo account. Despite the divided opinions, some supported Hu Ge’s exploration of different roles and dramas, emphasizing that the content of the series matters more than its title.