Naked MTR guy described as ‘nice’ and ‘normal’ by friends, but is a little rude to a rightly confused stranger (VIDEO)

The young Hong Kong man who dominated Hong Kong news earlier this week by riding the MTR nude has inspired competing narratives, with police suggesting he was plagued by mental issues while friends and neighbors described him as “nice,” “normal”, and “smart” to reporters. Meanwhile, a new(ish) video of the disrobed dude, apparently filmed before his naked travels (and subsequent arrest), has emerged, showing him talking to a bemused pedestrian in a rather hilariously blunt manner.

The 20-year-old Hongkonger, surnamed Wong, caused something of a commotion among rush hour commuters on Wednesday after he was spotted riding the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to North Point, wearing nothing but Crocs and earphones. According to Oriental Daily, Wong checked himself out of hospital on the same night, but his flat in Tseung Kwan O was found to be empty when reporters visited yesterday.

Neighbors told Oriental Daily that Wong has lived on Hau Tak Estate with his family for over twenty years and is a “friendly”, “nice”, and “normal” young man. “I never noticed him acting strangely,” one person said. The family was described as “not prone to arguing” and “often having guests over”.

Similarly, people claiming to be Wong’s former classmates online said that the 20-year-old was “smart”, “funny”, “loyal”, and “popular”, especially with women. One netizen said Wong liked to joke around and would sometimes “cross a line”, but “definitely didn’t appear to have a drug habit or mental health problems”. “Maybe [his public nudity] was some kind of performance art.”

Both groups expressed their surprise at Wong’s behavior, saying it seemed “out of character” and “shocking”.

While we previously shared footage of Wong on the MTR conversing with staff in a relatively relaxed and friendly manner, a second video has surfaced which shows the 20-year-old waiting at a zebra crossing prior to his much-documented commute. In the 20-second clip, a pedestrian in Kowloon can be heard asking Wong the million-dollar question: “What are you doing, man?”

Wong replies, “I don’t know you, so I… just leave,” before continuing a phone conversation and briskly crossing the road. Pretty curt for a guy who’s in just a pair of Crocs, but whatever. You do you, Wong.