The news of actor Huang Haibo's detention after being caught with a prostitute in a Beijing hotel room on Thursday has sparked a heated online debate, but unlike their reaction to similar incidents earlier, netizens seem more rational in their criticism, says an article in Southern Metropolis Daily. Excerpts:

The change in netizens' attitude toward celebrities' sex scandals can be attributed to a change in their understanding of morality. It seems that sermonic moral lessons are gradually losing their appeal, yielding place to analysis of a particular situation on its merit. But that does not mean that celebrities are free to do whatever they feel like.

Apart from their acting skills, many stars have become famous because some of the roles they have played in films and/or TV serials conform to social values and satisfy public expectations. So, their public image is bound to be tarnished if they are caught in acts that violate social and moral norms.

Normally, fans have little knowledge of the real lives of the celebrities they worship; they love their idols mostly for the roles they have played in films and TV series. Since the roles actors play help shape their public image, it is necessary that they honor that image in real life, at least for the sake of their careers. If not, they could be derided by the very fans that once used to worship them.

After Huang Haibo was detained, many netizens said that showbiz now has one less good man, while some felt disappointed or even deceived because of the image the actor had built for himself: "China's son-in-law". The scandal will make it difficult for viewers to accept Huang in humble and lovable roles - as a good husband, for example - and harm his career in the process.

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(China Daily 05/21/2014 page9)