But the fact that women still crave nuan nan shows that despite the changes, society continues to reflect the backward traits of yore. Social relations, especially those between men and women, may have changed, yet male chauvinism continues to hinder the progress toward true gender equality.

The quest of many women, either single or married, to find an ideal man eventually ends in novels, films or TV serials. Perhaps that's why the 2011 Taiwan TV drama, In Time With You, was such a big hit with female white collar workers and college students. The fact that the main male character, Brother Daren, is always caring and concerned about the heroine, his high school classmate, despite his unrequited love for her, made him a darling with young women.

Notwithstanding the talk about gender equality, being faithful in a relationship and sharing responsibilities, women tend to use (and perhaps coin) more vicious (and derogatory) terms for men. And ironically, women end up using many of these terms against other women.

So before celebrating the advancements made toward gender equality, we should stop for a moment and think how to shed our prejudices and accomplish true gender equality.

The author is a writer with China Daily.