The latest video to go viral online is of a street food vendor in Istanbul attracting crowds of people from all over the world to take selfies with him.
Alper Temel, a chestnut and corn vendor, has been running his family's street food stand in Istanbul for seven years with his two brothers. But since 2024, when videos of Temel and his good looks went viral on social media, the stand in the historic coastal district of Karaköy has attracted an influx of tourists and fans.
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It's now a well-known tourist attraction, and the kiosk is filled with not only people looking for a quick bite, but also fans who want to meet, chat, and take photos with Temel.
He became so popular that local guides included his kiosk in their itineraries, and numerous bloggers made their own videos about him, further increasing his fame.
Temel's popularity has also brought attention to the street food his family has been selling at their stall for over 15 years.
«"I'm very grateful for their support," says Temel. "Like any young person, I try to help and support my family in any way I can. This publicity helped speed up this process for me.".
Since creating his social media profiles in October 2025, the 25-year-old has amassed over 960,000 followers on Instagram and over 695,000 followers on TikTok.
In many videos on Temel's page, he treats tourists to chestnuts and corn, interacts with them, and poses for photos. His occasional languid glances into the camera and skillful camerawork have earned him over 11 million likes.
In his TikTok live streams, Temel takes selfies with crowds of fans, blows kisses to the camera, and records videos answering questions and greetings to the more than 4,000 fans watching on their phones.
And judging by the comments, people really like it.
«"Türkiye, I'm coming!" writes one user. Others post selfies taken with him, and still others ask if he works with a modeling agency.
He said he'd been offered contracts with agencies, roles in films and TV shows, and marriage proposals. The Turkish news website Fayn Studio even named him "Person of the Year 2025.".
But Temel says he doesn't let fame get him down; he strives to stay true to himself and keep working towards his goals.
«"It's incredibly important when people show us appreciation and love. But at the same time, it comes with a lot of responsibility," he says. "So I try to focus on my work.".
Temel wants to use her newfound fame to showcase Turkey and invite people to experience it for themselves.
«"I'd like people to come and experience this diversity, the beautiful landscapes, and the people," he says. "For us, visitors from abroad aren't tourists, but guests, and we do everything we can to make them feel welcome.".
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