Marry My Cousin

Why is that actor wearing a fishnet on his head? That's a question many viewers had when watching the recent period drama Marry My Cousin (表妹万福). In a sea of ornate costumes, a male character's headwear stood out: a sheer, net-like cap covering his hair and forehead. To modern eyes, it looked bizarre, even comical. Was this a costume department blunder? A sign of a low budget? The truth, however, is far more interesting. This isn't a prop mistake or a fashion mishap. It’s a historically accurate piece of attire known as a Wangjin (网巾), a hair net that was a staple of Ming Dynasty men's fashion and a symbol of Han Chinese cultural identity. More Than a Hairnet The Wangjin was a practical and essential item. Made from finely woven black silk, horsehair, or even human hair, its primary function was to hair binding, or bind the hair. It kept the main topknot securely in place and neatly gathered any loose or shorter hairs around the temples and neck. This created a clean, tidy appearance considered fundamental for a gentleman. Beyond mere tidiness, the Wangjin served as a base layer for other, more formal headwear. Hats and caps of…