Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp’s (KRTC) anime poster icon Siao Chung (小穹) on Sunday appeared in a video speaking for the first time, with her Taiwanese accent instantly becoming a hot topic among netizens.
Siao Chung was the first member of the K.R.T. Girls — fictional KRTC employees who appear on cars, and in stations and official messages.
The Kaohsiung City Government’s Department of Rapid Transit Systems organized a 30-second public information video featuring Siao Chung to raise public awareness about traffic regulations and safety on the city’s light-rail transit system.
Photo courtesy of Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp
The online video was liked by more than 10,000 Facebook users before the end of the day and generated a long discussion thread, with most netizens commenting on the character’s accent.
A majority of comments were positive, with one netizen saying that it is “realistic” for Siao Chung to speak “like a Kaohsiung native,” while another said her voice is “cute” and that it “grows on people.”
However, others said her Taiwanese Mandarin accent has “damaged the perfect mental image” they built up for Siao Chung, while others recommended using Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu’s (陳菊) voice.
KRTC said it considered online responses and discussions as a positive, adding that different perspectives and opinions help it to understand its fan base.
The K.R.T. Girls are responsible for informing the public on transit rules and regulations, as well being the transit authorities’ public affairs representatives, the company said, adding that it is “natural” for Siao Chung’s voice to be “approachable” and “down-to-earth.”
K.R.T. Girls are to continue appearing in KRTC materials to help the public, the company added.
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