Why Hong Kong idol Nicholas Tse photos used as ‘typhoon amulets’ during Ragasa
Play on meaning of star’s name sees worried residents stick images of him on their windows as lucky charm against storm damage
Hong Kong entertainment idol Nicholas Tse Ting-fung has notched up a new claim to fame as a lucky charm in the face of extreme weather.
When Super Typhoon Ragasa approached Hong Kong and southern China, residents found a new way to protect themselves, attaching a picture of the star to their exposed windows.
The reason? In Cantonese and Mandarin, Tse’s name sounds like a phrase meaning “thanks for stopping the wind”, Jimu News reported.
As a result, as well as using adhesive tape to criss-cross the windows for protection, many people also stuck printed copies of Tse’s picture as an amulet or lucky charm.
The 45-year-old Tse is a popular actor, singer and actor-turned-celebrity chef in China.
Even Tse himself recognised the typhoon-fighting viral wordplay.
During his concert in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on September 21, days before the arrival of the typhoon, it rained heavily.
Tse, who did not use an umbrella or wear a raincoat while performing, told his audiences: “It is a pity my name is Xie Tingfeng, not Xie Tingyu (meaning ‘thanks for stopping the rain’).”