Not Chiang Wan-an or Lu Hsiu-yen! The Political Figure Most Loved by Young People Is 'This One': High Favorability, Cross-Party Popularity

Super Junior member Choi Si-won has recently been residing in Taiwan for work and shared updates on the social platform Threads, asking, 'Want to go to Yangmingshan?' Former President Tsai Ing-wen personally replied in Korean: 'Councilor, I live in Yangmingshan,' sparking widespread online discussion. The post garnered over 2.4 million views and 164,000 likes, while Tsai's brief comment received over 116,000 likes.

On August 25, pollster David Day released the first report of the 'Taiwan Public Opinion Survey.' In favorability ratings among major political figures, Tsai Ing-wen led all politicians with 60.1%, followed by Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai at 54.4%. Among KMT figures, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an ranked first with 47.8%, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu at 43.4%, and Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen at 42.3%.

Commentator Wu Jing-yi analyzed the data, noting that Tsai's broad appeal across generations and moderate voters surpasses most active politicians. She emphasized that this interaction wasn't just a viral meme but a successful case of cross-network diffusion. Rather than pulling entertainment fans into politics, Tsai naturally entered youth-driven K-pop and entertainment spaces, building closeness through casual, relatable engagement.

This depoliticized communication style allows public figures to transcend closed community boundaries. Survey data shows that among 20- to 29-year-olds, favorability toward the DPP is 50%, but Tsai's personal favorability soars to 67.6%. Among 30- to 39-year-olds, her approval remains strong at 59%, making her most popular in the youngest demographic. This indicates her personal support significantly exceeds party bases, demonstrating cross-party, cross-generational, and cross-cultural brand appeal.

Wu observed that young voters aren't simply aligning with a party. Data shows over 60% of 20- to 29-year-olds approve of Taiwan's overall economic performance—the highest among all age groups—while a significant portion believes KMT legislators better fulfill government oversight roles. This reflects independent, critical thinking: youth can admire a political figure while maintaining scrutiny of the ruling party.

Regarding national identity, Wu noted that youth 'depoliticization' doesn't weaken Taiwan identity. The survey found 76.6% of 20- to 29-year-olds express negative views toward the Chinese Communist Party, rising to 86.0% among 30- to 39-year-olds. Most young people agree with President Lai Ching-te's warnings about Chinese disinformation, recognizing it as essential for defending Taiwan's democracy—indicating a clear consensus on external threats and democratic defense.

With the 2026 local elections approaching, Wu believes Tsai's broad favorability gives her an edge over most current politicians. From pet stories and iconic fashion to K-pop interactions, Tsai skillfully uses everyday language to connect with youth and subtly reinforce Taiwan's subjectivity. The key to future elections will be which camp can attract and retain these non-traditional voters beyond conventional party echo chambers.