Story By: Maja Mishevksa, Sub Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
This superhero-looking Korean fitness trainer went out on the streets of Vietnam to sell watermelons as part of a secret photoshoot and quickly became an internet sensation.
Beefy instructor Lee Won, 40, technical director of the Vietnam-based fitness centre FitPlus, kept turning heads when he went out on the busy street to sell juicy watermelons wearing only a loincloth, days before the Vietnamese New Year.
Images of the topless bodybuilder taken by passersby started circulating on social media in no time, with people wondering what the handsome fella may be up to.
A few hours after the shoot ended, Won revealed that he was working on a secret photography project and did not expect to become a hot story by the end of the day.
The photoshoot was a part of FitPlus’ ‘Body Profile Picture’ project which aims to inspire healthy, positive and peaceful living to everyone regardless of their profession.
Won wrote: “Supplying watermelons during the Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet, seems to convey luck and happiness to others.
“The concept for my shoot today revolves around an old Vietnamese story.”
The orange loincloth Won was wearing symbolises Mai An Tiem, a Vietnamese legend considered to be the ancestor of watermelon cultivation in Vietnam.
Mai is believed to be the king’s adopted son who was the first person to find watermelons on a deserted island where him and his family were exiled.
Mai then brought watermelons back to Vietnam, starting a successful watermelon business.
When the king became aware of Mai’s survival on the deserted island and his business, he forgave him and allowed him and his family to return to the kingdom.
A spokesperson for Won’s company FitPlus told Newsflash: “Although this is a fairytale, we still thought the story of this brave prince conveys cultural beauty, working beauty, and fitness beauty to the community, especially during the traditional Tet holiday.
“This is also a part of the very unique culture of Vietnamese people. We want to inspire health in people in all walks of life.”
The story of Won caused a swarm of comments from netizens on social media.
One Facebook user said: “I’ll buy the whole cart if he comes with it.”
Another netizen remarked: “His watermelons are good enough to stop traffic.”
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