- Title: CHINA: Disgraced Hong Kong movie star apologises for Internet sex scandal
- Date: 26th February 2008
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (RECENT - FEBRUARY 11, 2008) (REUTERS) NEWSPAPERS SHOWCASING THE INTERNET SEX SCANDAL
- Embargoed: 12th March 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVAA5DLPBEL7AN73O6L9CD2I28GD
- Story Text: Star admits most of the photos on the Internet belonged to him.
Hong Kong singer and actor Edison Chen said on Thursday he would step away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry to "heal himself", in his first public appearance since a sex scandal broke.
Hong Kong police said some 1,300 private shots of Chen in bed with at least half a dozen female celebrities had been copied by the staff of a computer repair shop from a faulty laptop believed to belong to Chen, sparking off a media frenzy.
The Canada-born Chen admitted for the first time that most of the pictures circulating on the Internet had been taken by him.
"Today I have come back to Hong Kong to stand before you and account for myself. I have never escaped from my responsibility," Chen said in a slow but deliberate speech.
"I admit that most of these photos being circulated on the Internet were taken by me. But these photos were very private and have not been shown to people and were never intended to be shown to anyone. These photos were stolen from me illegally and distributed without my consent. There is no doubt whoever obtained these photos had been uploading them on the Internet with malicious and deliberate intent. this matter has deteriorated to the extent that society as a whole has been affected by this, and in this regard I am deeply saddened. I would like now to apologise to all the people for all the suffering that has been caused and all the problems that have arisen from this," Chen said.
The photographs, which appear to show Edison Chen along with several suggestive images of about half a dozen Hong Kong starlets were recently posted online. The photos have sparked blanket tabloid coverage in around greater China.
He said in a brief statement he would fulfil existing commitments before stepping down "indefinitely". He added that he would dedicate himself to charity and community work.
"I have decided to step away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry. I have decided to do this to give myself an opportunity to heal myself and search my soul."
Chen earlier apologised to the press but left Hong Kong to stay with his family. One Hong Kong pop star, Gillian Chung, seen in the photos apologised publicly earlier this month.
Police have been mounting an investigation to find out who leaked the photos. They have so far made 10 arrests in connection with the scandal.
"I have been assisting the police since the first day the photos were published. And I will continue to assist them. After this press-con I have obligations to help them with their investigation and hope that this case can end soon," said Chen.
Chen also said he hoped the scandal would soon subside.
"I believe everybody's priority now, my priority now is to stop the suffering and pain. For not letting this, we do not want to let this situation become more out of control."
Chen came to the spotlight in a commercial after he was talent scouted, then he became famous as a hip hop artist and Asian film star who has appeared in films such as Infernal Affairs, the Hong Kong triad film which inspired Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning film "The Departed". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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