性感的“右二哥哥”

The hottest new celebrity on the Chinese Internet isn’t a pop star or movie idol. Rather, it’s the mysterious man known only as Second Right Brother (pictured above).

His claim to fame? Being a member of the blue-and-white-clad 2008 Olympic torch security team that’s been protecting the flame on its troubled journey around the world (more on the “flame attendants” here). His real name unknown, netizens in China have nicknamed him after his position in the security detail–You Er Gege ( 右二哥哥), which translates as Second Right Brother– because he always stands second in the line of guards on the torch bearer’s right.

Second Right Brother is worshiped by many female netizens as a handsome hero who stands up to protect China’s national pride in the face of adversity. His photos have spread all over the Internet through online forums and chat rooms packed with his fans, some of whom launched an Internet manhunt to determine his identity. Second Right Brother’s personal information and several hunky beach photos were allegedly posted by one netizen but got immediately removed by the Web site’s administrator on the grounds that he is “state property.” But that’s had little impact on the frenzy surrounding the national hero/sex symbol, which reached a climax when one young woman proposed to him on her blog.

With the torch in Hong Kong today, local media have also shown a great deal of interest in Second Right Brother. But maybe too much– we haven’t seen him out during today’s leg of the torch relay, the first stop back on Chinese soil.