中国版圣诞老人刷爆朋友圈 Chinese Santa Claus storms the internet

"We wish you a merry Christmas" with pictures of Elvis Tsui(徐锦江) seems to be the latest trend among Chinese netizens during this year's Christmas(圣诞节 Shèngdàn jié).

Chinese netizens share(分享 fēnxiǎng) pictures(图片 túpiàn) of Tsui and wish each other(彼此 bǐcǐ) a merry Christmas. [Photo:Weibo]

Born in 1961, Hong Kong veteran actor Elvis Tsui has become the latest internet icon thanks to the classic character(角色 juésè) he played in the 1992 comedy movie Royal Tramp(《九品芝麻官》), where he looked a bit similar(相似 xiāngsì) to Santa Claus, with a red hat(红帽子 hóngmàozi) and white beard(白胡子 bái húzi).

Chinese netizens share(分享 fēnxiǎng) pictures(图片 túpiàn) of Tsui and wish each other(彼此 bǐcǐ) a merry Christmas. [Photo:Weibo]

The movie Tsui starred in was adapted from The Deer and the Cauldron(《鹿鼎记》), a novel by late Hong Kong novelist Louis Cha(金庸). Tsui played the role of Oboi(鳌拜), a malicious and greedy military officer who conspires to fight for the throne.

Also, the character's name(名字 míngzi) Oboi is pronounced similar to "all buy" in English, which encourages people to buy(买 mǎi) some gifts(礼物 lǐwù) for loved ones during the Christmas season. And the coincidence(巧合 qiǎohé) further increases the popularity of Tsui.

Clever business minds have produced tailor-made products on China's e-commerce platform Taobao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Reputed as China's Santa Claus, Elvis Tsui has been frequently searched on Dec 24 on Sina Weibo, China's answer to Twitter, and his images have been adapted into micro videos, gifs and emojis at very short notice. Some clever business minds have produced(生产 shēngchǎn) tailor-made products(产品 chǎnpǐn) on China's e-commerce platform Taobao.

An image of Tsui's character from the film has already been added into the Sina Weibo emoji list on December 25.[Photo:weibo]

On Dec 25, an image of Tsui's character from the film has already been added into the Sina Weibo emoji list for users to choose from.

"I have been waiting for more than two decades to find the Chinese Santa Claus, and he just appeared. I believe that he is the perfect image in my heart," said weibo user Xiao Midou1993.

Chinese netizens share(分享 fēnxiǎng) pictures(图片 túpiàn) of Tsui and wish each other(彼此 bǐcǐ) a merry Christmas. [Photo:Weibo]

"In China's social media platforms, you never know who is the next internet icon, and I am waiting to hear from the actor," another weibo user Maao Guan added.

Chinese netizens share pictures of Tsui and wish each other a merry Christmas. [Photo:Weibo]

In response(回应 huíyìng) to the enthusiasm shown by online users, the 57-year-old was pleased to receive the new title, and wrote on his official weibo account, "It's Christmas and the old man with a red hat and white beard is bringing you the best wishes!"

重点词汇 Key word:

刷爆

E.g.

• Wǒ bǎ kǎ shuā bàole.
  我把卡刷爆了。
  I have maxed out my credit cards.

• Zhèxiē huà shuā bàole péngyǒu quān.
  这些画刷爆了朋友圈。
  The pictures went viral on WeChat moments.