You'd think that Hong Kong's highly charged political climate of late would make its residents would choose to idolize a protest leader or political figure, but no.
They picked Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun, better known as the drop-dead gorgeous alien who fell to earth from a faraway star and fell in love with an eccentric female earthling, as their "Man of the Year".
In a recent radio station poll, 26-year old Kim bested Occupy Central leaders with 28 percent of total votes cast by listeners.
Coming on second place with one-fifth of the votes was Kevin Lau Chun-to, former editor of Ming Pao who nearly died from stab wounds after being attacked by unidentified assailants, presumably for his bold views in defense of freedom.
On third place was Police Chief Superintendent Steve Hui Chun-tak, whose famous "I will now recap in English" line during media briefings on the Occupy protests was cited in the "Quote of the Year" category.
Occupy Central student leaders Alex Chou Yong-kang, Joshua Wong Chi Fung and Lester Shum likewise won honors as "Combo of the Year" with a combined 41 percent of votes.
The poll was launched by RTHK in late November when radio listeners were asked to nominate candidates for the "Man of the Year" and other categories. Online voting ran from December 2 to December 21.
Expectedly, the pro-democracy movement cast a heavy influence on listeners' choices, with the yellow umbrella voted as "Hot Item of the Year", "I want true suffrage" as "Quote of the Year", and the HK Students Federation being named "People of the Year".
Human Rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai bagged the "Woman of the Year" title.
Still, the Korean actor's win stood out as a neat oddball among earthly concerns, so much like the alien character Do Min Joon that he portrayed in "My Love from the Star" -- further proof perhaps of how that drama series from last year had dominated the psyche of Asia and beyond.
