Kim Jong-Un "Sexiest Man Alive"

[PlayStation]

BEIJING—The online version of China’s Communist Party newspaper has hailed a report by The Onion naming North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un as the “Sexiest Man Alive” — not realizing it is satire.

The People’s Daily on Tuesday ran a 55-page photo spread on its website in a tribute to the round-faced leader, under the headline “North Korea’s top leader named The Onion’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2012.”

Quoting the Onion’s spoof report, the Chinese newspaper wrote: “”With his devastatingly handsome, round face, his boyish charm, and his strong, sturdy frame, this Pyongyang-bred heartthrob is every woman’s dream come true.”

“Blessed with an air of power that masks an unmistakable cute, cuddly side, Kim made this newspaper’s editorial board swoon with his impeccable fashion sense, chic short hairstyle, and, of course, that famous smile,” the People’s Daily cited the Onion as saying.

The photos the People’s Daily selected include Kim on horseback squinting into the light and Kim waving towards a military parade. In other photos, Kim is wearing sunglasses and smiling, or touring a facility with his wife.

People’s Daily could not immediately be reached for comment. A man who answered the phone at the newspaper’s duty office said he did not know anything about the report and requested queries be directed to their newsroom on Wednesday morning.

It is not the first time a state-run Chinese newspaper has fallen for a fictional report by The Onion.

In 2002, the Beijing Evening News, one of the capital city’s biggest tabloids at the time, published as news the fictional account that the U.S. Congress wanted a new building and that it might leave Washington. The Onion article was a deadpan spoof of the way sports teams threaten to leave cities in order to get new stadiums.

[avelanch]

you mean he isn't? i thought he was finally stepping into his fathers shoes.

[PlayStation]

They should swap the dash between Jong-Un, and put it after the Un, Kim Jong Un-Sexiest Man Alive.

The Onions post:

The Onion is proud to announce that North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un, 29, has officially been named the newspaper’s Sexiest Man Alive for the year 2012.

With his devastatingly handsome, round face, his boyish charm, and his strong, sturdy frame, this Pyongyang-bred heartthrob is every woman’s dream come true. Blessed with an air of power that masks an unmistakable cute, cuddly side, Kim made this newspaper’s editorial board swoon with his impeccable fashion sense, chic short hairstyle, and, of course, that famous smile.

“He has that rare ability to somehow be completely adorable and completely macho at the same time,” Onion Style and Entertainment editor Marissa Blake-Zweibel said. “And that’s the quality that makes him the sort of man women want, and men want to be. He’s a real hunk with real intensity who also knows how to cut loose and let his hair down.”

Added Blake-Zweibel, “Ri Sol-ju is one lucky lady, that’s for sure!”

With today’s announcement, Kim joins the ranks of The Onion’s prior “Sexiest Man Alive” winners, including:

2011: Bashar al-Assad

2010: Bernie Madoff

2009: Charles and David Koch (co-winners)

2008: Ted Kaczynski

2007: T. Herman Zweibel

The Onion’s commemorative “Sexiest Man Alive” issue will be available on newsstands everywhere this Friday and contains a full 16-page spread on Kim.

[Jägermeister]

Maybe the Chinese are also being satirical and we're falling into their trap.

Now who's laughing?

[avelanch]

he's like a rolly polly teddy bear.

[D-Money]

This may be one of the few times an International news report makes it to the North Korean people without massive edits.

[Jai604]

hahaha, oh man

Maybe the Chinese are also being satirical and we're falling into their trap.

Now who's laughing?

[Guest Gumballthechewy]

I thought about this for a second, then realized Communists don't really joke around lol.

[Armada]

I'd tap that.

[D-Money]

I think the heading becomes more accurate if you move the dash:

Kim Jong Un-"Sexiest Man Alive"

[Ossi Vaananen]

LMAO that's hilarious! He's so deserving of this humiliation!

[SkeeterHansen]

Maybe the Chinese are also being satirical and we're falling into their trap.

Now who's laughing?

[Guest Gumballthechewy]

Intriguing...

[SkeeterHansen]

Hmm, indeed...

[PlayStation]

North Korea is planning to launch/test nuclear missiles...

Kim Jong-Un is fighting back at the world for this! Run!

[Mr. White]

[Guest Gumballthechewy]

Wouldn't put it past them sneaky Chinese folk..