WARNING: If you are sick and tired of reading about Edison Chen's private parts ... stop reading now!
Yesterday, the man finally returned to Hong Kong to host a long-awaited press conference with 300 journalists. He admitted that the photos were taken by him and stolen from his computer, and also apologised to the women involved in the scandal, as well as their families. More shocking was his announcement that he will leave showbiz. Here are some quotes from Edison compiled from various sources.
The apology:
I am deeply sorry... I admit most of the photos being circulated on the Internet were taken by me. I would like to apologize to all the ladies and to all their families for any harm or hurt that they have been feeling. I'm sorry... Most importantly, I would like to say sorry to all the people in Hong Kong. I give my apologies sincerely to you all, unreservedly and with my heart
"Very private":
These photos were very private... They were never intended to be shown to anyone. They were stolen from me and distributed without my consent.'
On his failure as a role model:
I know young people in Hong Kong look up to many figures in our society... I've failed as a role model. However I wish that this matter will teach everyone a lesson... To all the young people in our community, let this be a lesson for you all. This is not an example to be set for you.
On his decision to quit showbiz:
During my time away, I've made an important decision. I will wholeheartedly fulfil all commitments that I have to date. But, after that, I’ve decided to step away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry. I've decided to do this to give myself an opportunity to heal myself and to search my soul... I will be away from Hong Kong entertainment indefinitely. There is no time frame.
On his willingness to cooperate with the police:
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... I hope all of you will accept my apology and give me a chance.
Batgwa.com ("Batgwa" or "八卦“ in Cantonese means "gossipmongering") reports that Edison did not take any questions after making these statements and over a hundred police officers had to be roped in to whisk him off in a Mercedes-Benz.
This whole episode has been described as the equivalent of the 9/11 in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, one that has uncovered tough questions on Internet laws, privacy laws, human rights and police procedures that remain unanswered. Also interesting is how Beijing now appears to be involved in the fight against the dissemination of the pictures. The latest Xinhua report has it that thirteen key Chinese portals have pledged to stop the further spread of the pictures.
Here's a Youtube video of the press conference:
Never before has a scandal in Chinese showbiz received as much attention in international media. We were surprised to find it even in Bloomberg. Here's what they said:
Bloomberg: Hong Kong Actor Chen Quits, Admits Web Sex Photos
AP: Hong Kong actor Edison Chen says he took racy photos, apologizes
Reuters: Hong Kong's Edison Chen quits after sex scandal
AFP: Star apologises over Hong Kong sex photos scandal
Wall Street Journal: Hong Kong Pop Star Aims to End Controversy Over Explicit Photos
South China Morning Post: Edison Chen bows out with apology [Subscription]
Shanghai Daily: Edison Chen to quit after sex picture scandal
Xinhua: China portals boycott porn pics at start of "Ratty Year"
Previously on Shanghaiist
- Edison Chen, Bobo Chan, Gillian Chung and Cecilia Cheung embroiled in Hong Kong's biggest sex photo scandal ever
- The Edison Chen sex scandal rages on with more pictures released by mystery man
- Jolin Tsai, Maggie Q, Vincey Yeung sucked into Edison Chen scandal; Gillian Chung admits involvement
- Edison Chen sex scandal: Witchhunt hits China
UPDATE: Someday, China may look back at the Edison Chen scandal and thank the man for its privacy laws
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Do you accept Edison Chen’s apology? Here is a poll inviting people from different angels and culture to express their opinion on this photo gate scandal.
LINK
i hope more pictures come out ... I was really looking forward to popping one off to a naked pic of Maggie Q
This apology should have come way earlier... that first Youtube video of him not coming clean and blaming the whole world but himself was just lame, lame, lame... heard of the Streisand Effect guys?
why do I have to accept or not accept his apology? All he's done is have sex and take photos of it- it's scandal, it's great gossip, but he hasn't done anything wrong
Yes, that is true... I guess I was referring more to a coming clean on things... The apology to the ladies is warranted, but the need to apologise to Hong Kong society and all that is just bullshit...
I find it bizzare and ridiculous that he has to apologize to HK society and asia's media for something he did privately! Edison u should have just said, "yes I did it,got in the wrong hands and I'm sorry to the women in the pics. (Idiot for that)
But no need to say sorry for having a little fun, sex, hot, "horny pics", of you and your lovers in your PRIVACY :) U still can be a role model because what u do below your pantsy is your biz!
WITHDRAWING FROM SHOWBIZ?!?!?!?
That's just crazy. Hew should take control of this situation and recreate himself. He's undeniably a sex symbol and he should move his career in that direction.
yeah he talks like having sex is a really really bad thing.
but then again, this IS china.
anyhow, i dont think it's sincere, why suddenly after this photo scandal he is going to work with clichees such as charity and community work,
it's all a lie
yeah he talks like having sex is a really really bad thing.
but then again, this IS china.
anyhow, i dont think it's sincere, why suddenly after this photo scandal he is going to work with clichees such as charity and community work,
it's all a lie
"an opportunity to heal myself and to search my soul... I will be away from Hong Kong entertainment indefinitely. There is no time frame."
yeah definitely- "indefinitely" and "no time frame" are not the same as "forever".
He'll be back, even if it's just to star in softcore porn.
I wonder how much Vincy Yeung's uncle had to do with him bailing out...
Yes of course he should apologize. The scandal isn't that he had sex, the scandal is that he was stupid and careless with protecting the photos (they weren't taken at gunpoint) and let the photos all get released on the Internet and now the actresses have lost large amounts of money or had their marriages/engagements broken up. There's a Chinese slant (no pun intended) to how the story has been playing out, but the basic scenario would be the same if it happened in Hollywood.
This isn't a retirement. He's out of the HK industry for a while, which just means he'll try to make it in Hollywood, and when that fizzles out, he'll wait until the scandal has blown over and then come back to HK.
He should have a go in Hollywood, he is basically American anyway, why not. He's got the RZA, amoung others, signed to his clothing label already.
There's rumours of possible traid hits on him in HK which is hilarious. Female slave trading pimps getting outraged that he dared to let a naked picture of a girl get into the public.
oh ..trIad
"...he is basically American anyway..."
Edison Chen is from Canada... oh i forgot... it's the 51st state... ;-)
Michael Jordan and HOVA also retired. Kira should save some pics and spring them when this dude "returns" in a year.
Canadians! They have such difficulty keeping their clothes on and not getting photographed naked...
Michael Jordan and HOVA also retired.
When I come back like Edison .. . wearing the 45?
Edison Chen isn't from Canada. He's from HK, but went to a boarding school in Canada. He has family in Boston and spent time there after the scandal hit.
It's kind of weird that his press releases were in English.
Edison chen was born in canada, but he did go to high school in hong kong in hong kong international school.
and for his press release to be in english, it's quiet obvious. His mandarin and cantonese are poor, his english is better than both his mando and canto.
Lets not beat around the bush. He's leaving Hong Kong because one of the girls in the pics is married to a guy whose old man is high up in the triads for which read "entertainment industry" in HK and if he stayed he'd soon be floating in HK harbour chopped up into about 20 pieces.
I wholeheartedly agree, lets let Edison beat around the bush.... Sorry, I feel very bad about that but after the comments in the earlier thread about all his hirsute lady friends I just had to.
I do not believe Edison Chen is sorry for what he had done. He sounded more like a politician being caught with his pants down begging society for forgiveness to clear his tainted image. His apology sounds very insincere. He is a very conceited narcissism who only cares about himself when he says, "I need to heal myself." Edison, what about the ladies you have hurt? What exactly are you going to do for them instead of all talks and no actions? If he has any respect for Chinese people at all, he should apologize in Chinese language instead of English. Even though my first language is English, I would still speak Chinese to show respect to Chinese people. We should not feel a sense of lost if Edison decides to quit the Hong Kong Showbiz. He is a "dime a dozen". There will always be others eager inspiring hopefuls to fill his shoes and be a better representation model than this Edison muck! Hong Kong Showbiz will not suffer if Edison Chen quits!!! Therefore, please quit the Showbiz Edison to save the Chinese people from your embarrassing acts of immoral vile unethical immature practice of ruining people's lives!
I do not believe Edison Chen is sorry for what he had done. He sounded more like a politician being caught with his pants down begging society for forgiveness to clear his tainted image. His apology sounds very insincere. He is a very conceited narcissism who only cares about himself when he says, "I need to heal myself." Edison, what about the ladies you have hurt? What exactly are you going to do for them instead of all talks and no actions!? If he has any respect for Chinese people at all, he should apologize in Chinese language instead of English. Even though my first language is English, I still struggle to speak Chinese to show respect to Chinese people. We should not feel a lost if Edison decides to quit the Hong Kong Showbiz. He is a "dime a dozen". There will always be others eager inspiring hopefuls to fill his shoes and be a better representation model than this Edison muck! Hong Kong Showbiz will not suffer if Edison Chen quits!!! Therefore, please quit the Showbiz Edison to save the Chinese people from your embarrassing acts of immoral, vile, unethical, and immature practice of ruining people's lives!