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-- START --
Man: I was thinking, Jesus, that looks like
the leader of North Korea!
COMM: Not many people would want to step into
the shoes of a dictator, but today, Howard, the world's first professional Kim Jong-un
impersonator is taking to the streets of Hong Kong to meet the unsuspecting public.
Morphing into the feared North Korean leader
has become second nature to Howard.
Howard: It is fun to pose with everyone and
play dictator for the day. The key to becoming him is to always look unhappy and dissatisfied.
It it his trademark look.
Man: I though it actually was Kim Jong-un
himself, doing a bit of moonlighting trying to get some extra cash in the country.
01:06 COMM: His uncanny likeness to the North Korean
leader draws looks and comments wherever he goes.
Girl: He looks exactly the same!
Man: Mr Kim? Yeah, it is an honour to meet
Mr Kim here in Hong Kong. I was very surprised.
COMM: Until last April, Howard was an unassuming
musician from Hong Kong.
But after putting on a safari suit, a North
Korean lapel badge and a bit of makeup, the 35-year-old transforms into a North Korean
dictator.
Howard: The reactions when I step outside,
when I'm in character, with the suit, with the makeup and the hair are crazy.
COMM: Howard set up a Facebook page advertising
his services, and within two weeks, h was inundated with requests.
Howard: Kim Jong-un has become one of the
most talked about people in the world and everyone wanted their picture taken with this
dictator.
It seemed like a good idea to become a professional.
COMM: The impersonator even decides to gauge
the reaction from the city's consulates by applying for asylum.
Howard: I've come here to seek asylum in the
US embassy. I'm defecting.
Security: Are you sure?
Howard: I'm defecting, yes, I'm defecting
02:32 Howard: Yes, I'm defecting. Let's go see your
councillor general.
Security: Ok
Howard: Let's go
Howard: Tell them Kim Jong is here to see
the councillor general to seek asylum.
Man: Wait a minute...
Howard: Ok
COMM: And when things don't go to plan, he
looks for help from his confused North Korean comrades.
Man: What are you doing here?!
Howard: It is fun to play Kim Jong-un because
it freaks people out. It freaks people out that they can't believe the dictator is in
this part of the world.
It is great being Kim Jong-un, but it is always
nice to go back home and just be myself.
-- END --