In modern society, the image of teachers is no longer confined to the monotonous traditional dress or serious office attire 24/7. Young teachers, especially those from Generation Z, are bringing a fresh breeze: dynamic, unique, and daring to live fully with their personal passions after class hours. However, the boundary between private life and profession, between personal interests and the “educational mold” remains a fiercely debated topic. The story of teacher and cosplayer Nhat Ling is a typical example of the invisible pressures young educators face today.
Nhat Ling is not only known as a teacher imparting knowledge but also as a familiar face in the cosplay community. For her, teaching is a profession that sustains her and contributes to society, while cosplay is a playground to satisfy her artistic passion, creativity, and personal identity. Theoretically, these two worlds are entirely separate and do not influence each other.
However, when her identity as a “teacher” became public alongside her impressive cosplay photos, Nhat Ling faced a wave of negative reactions from a portion of netizens. Instead of seeing her as a talented young person, many used the label of “teaching” to judge her, even harassing her with disrespectful language.
The peak of her frustration came when she received numerous messages and comments asking for “links to sell fans” – a slang term on social media referring to accounts on O***F*** (a platform that often shares adult and sensitive content). This was not merely curiosity but an act of sexual harassment through words, implying that a girl with an attractive appearance who engages in cosplay must surely be “selling fans”.
Sharing about the incident, Nhat Ling could not hide her shock and frustration. She said: “I just wanted to share a bit about my life after getting into the profession, yet some people keep saying I’m ‘fame-hungry’ in my career. I can’t take it anymore; I don’t need fame when alongside supportive words, I have to receive this kind of treatment.”
When she first revealed her job as a teacher, the biggest shock for Nhat Ling was the inappropriate messages asking for “links to sell fans” in her personal inbox. Even more sadly, the prejudice did not stop at mere teasing. Nhat Ling shared a malicious comment directed at her, with a derogatory tone: “Thank goodness I’ve graduated; I wouldn’t want to study with teachers who sell fans like this.” This remark was like a cold shower, not only denying Nhat Ling’s teaching capabilities but also equating personal interests with professional ethics.
For ages, the teaching profession has been placed on a high moral pedestal. Society assumes that teachers must be “exemplary models,” discreet, and even sacrifice personal interests to maintain an image of “decency.” Any deviation – whether it be tattoos, dyed hair, or cosplay – can easily be labeled as “non-standard” or “inappropriate.”
The conflation of cosplay – an art form that requires elaborate investment in costumes, makeup, and sometimes acting – with “selling fans” (selling sensitive content) reflects a severe lack of knowledge and cultural respect for differences among a portion of netizens. They presume to judge a teacher’s competency solely based on photos taken outside of working hours.
Perhaps it is time for society to be more open, to stop “labeling” and equating professional ethics based on personal interests. A good teacher is measured by the knowledge they impart and the dedication they show to students in the classroom, not by the costumes they wear at weekend cosplay events. Let’s not allow harmful comments like “asking for links” to extinguish the passion and enthusiasm of young individuals who dedicate themselves to the noble career of education.