NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei City legislative candidate Yeh Yuan-chih, on Saturday (Nov. 25) morning, commissioned a film poster illustrator to cover the image of Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and his counterpart Taiwan People's Party's (TPP) Ko Wen-je on a previously joint campaign billboard.
The creative move intended to replace Ko's likeness with that of the Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong.
After several rounds of talks, the anticipated KMT-TPP coalition fell through on Friday, with each candidate proceeding to register for the race independently.
The "Hou-Ko billboard" had become a hot topic among social media users and at around 7 in the morning, the illustrator started the task of transformation.
According to Yeh, supporters had called for the removal of Ko from the billboard due to the failed coalition.
With time constraints preventing the acquisition of a prepared image of Jaw Shaw-kong, the decision was made to hand-draw the portrait to honor both political figures.
Yeh expressed regret over the missed opportunity for KMT-TPP cooperation but noted that the KMT's swift nomination of Jaw Shaw-kong as their vice-presidential candidate maintained political vigor.
The billboard, which had become a popular spot for photographs, would initially feature a sketched outline of Jaw before a full illustration is rendered.
This unconventional approach to updating campaign material has garnered positive reactions online, highlighting the use of creativity in the midst of political campaign strategy shifts.