Chinese and Korean Papers Tricked By Onion Article Declaring Kim Jong Un 'The Sexiest Man Alive'

Two weeks ago, The Onion published a satirical article declaring North Korean despot and king of the butt-shaped haircut Kim Jong Un the “Sexiest Man Alive.” And yesterday, a Chinese state newspaper reprinted the piece in its entirety, completely without sarcasm, along with a 55-image slide show of Kim Jong Un posing on horseback and with his arms akimbo, like a totalitarian Old Spice guy. A South Korean paper soon echoed the Chinese paper’s report. Either The Onion’s humor doesn’t translate, or the Chinese state newspaper editors have, like, the best senses of humor in the entire world.

China’s People’s Daily and South Korea’s The Korea Times both appear to have been duped by the satirical US newspaper, thus joining the growing number of people and institutions who do not understand that The Onion is totally just kidding.

The Onion’s ode to the jowly, potato faced leader of North Korea read thusly,

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.

Past winners of The Onion‘s Sexiest Man Alive title include Bernie Madoff, the Koch brothers, and the Unabomber.