SEXIEST MAN: Chinese newspaper runs story on Kim Jong Un not realizing it was satire

In this file photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Mangyongdae Revolutionary School at Pyongyang for the celebration of the lunar New Year. KNS/AFP/Getty Images

The People’s Daily ran a series of striking photos of their neighbouring country’s young leader to accompany news of the award, which was handed out by satirical website The Onion.

“The Onion has named North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un as the sexiest man alive for the year 2012,” declared the  People’s Daily.

The award is a trademark hoax by the Onion website but the tongue-in-cheek story failed to register a smirk with Chinese editors, who are keen to report positive stories about the hermit leader who runs China’s fellow communist neighbour.

“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 paper wrote, copying word for word the joke website.

“He has that rare ability to somehow be completely adorable and completely macho at the same time,” said Marissa Blake−Zweiber, editor of The Onion Style and Entertainment.

Editors at the People’s Daily seemed to agree wholeheartedly with the assessment.