Edison Chen Apologizes and Leaves Hong Kong Entertainment
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 1:52 am (PST)
Edison Chen finally returned to Hong Kong and held a press conference at 3 pm in Kowloon World Trade Centre. Edison apologized in English to the girls involved in the naughty pic scandal surrounding him, and to all of Hong Kong, where the public is outraged. Edison said he will be away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry for an "indefinite period," he said "there is no time frame." This means Edison plans to work in Hollywood in the USA, and will return to Hong Kong entertainment once people move on from this scandal. He said he will do volunteer work while he clears his mind, which means he will be trying to rehabilitate his image with the public. The full statement Edison read is below:
Today I have come back to Hong Kong to stand before you and account for myself. I have never escaped from my responsibility. During the past few weeks, I have been with my mother and my family and my loved ones to show support and care and at the same time to have them support and care for me.
I admit that most of the photos being circulated on the Internet were taken by me. But these photos are very private and have not been shown to people and are 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 have them uploaded 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. In this regard, I am deeply saddened. I would like now to apologize to all the people for all the suffering that has been caused and the problems that have arisen from this. 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 am sorry. I would like to also apologize to my mother and my father for the pain and suffering I have caused them during the past few weeks. Most importantly, I would like to say sorry to all the people of Hong Kong. I give my apology sincerely to you all, unreservedly and with my heart.
I know young people in Hong Kong look up to many figures in our society. And in this regard, I have failed. I failed as a role model. However, I wish 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.
During my time away, I have made an important decision. I will whole-heartedly fulfill all commitments that I have to date. But after that, I 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 to search my soul. I will dedicate my time to charity and community work within the next few months. I will be away from Hong Kong entertainment industry indefinitely. There is no time frame.
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 obligation to help them with their investigation and hope that this case can end soon as everyone I think has the same wish.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank the police for their hard work on this case. Thank you. I believe everyone’s priority now (and) 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. We need to protect all the innocents and all the young from matters like this. In this regard, I have instructed my lawyers to do everything possible within the law to protect all the innocents, victims of this case. I believe that a press statement is being issued as we speak on what my lawyers have advised me to do.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for coming here today and listening to what I have to say. I would like to also apologize once again to all the ladies and their families, my family and to everyone in Hong Kong and everyone in our society. I am deeply saddened by this. And I apologize to everyone (who) has to go through this. I would like to also thank you for giving me this opportunity to say what I have wanted to say all along in my heart.
I hope, after today, I can have your forgiveness. With regard to this case, with everything, everything that has happened, I am deeply sorry. I hope you all accept my apology and give me a chance.
Thank you.
Click here to read Edison’s statement in Chinese.
Edison did not appear to be sincere in his apology, but did do a good job acting like he was sorry. He’s had weeks to prepare for this appearance. Click here to read more about it.
Is Edison Really Sorry?
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I’m sure his apology is sincere, even though he spoke like a robot. It would have been more heartfelt if he said it in chinese. I’m sure he must have been very stress and tired. He must have been relieved after he made his apology. I think he made a wise decision to leave the HK Entertainment Industry temprorarily. After the turmoil has past, maybe the hk ppl will forgive him and welcome him back……..or maybe not..xT
I never really liked Edison nor did I hated him. I just thought he was very arrogant. But after this scandal, I think he has learned an important lesson. I hope he can mature and become a humble person maybe then I would idolize him.
Comment by Bicurious — February 21, 2008 #
What’s up with the “fobby” transcript??? It may as well have been written in “Cantonandarin” pinyin!
Oh, and I must have missed the part where he apologized for being too stupid to use file encryption.
***Editor response***
F.O.B. is an abbreviation for “fresh off the boat.” This is a term used by U.S. Asian immigrants and American born Asians to describe Asians who have just arrived in the U.S., and their obvious lack of English language skills, etc. It is also not a compliment.
Comment by matso — February 21, 2008 #
I think he is sincere in his apology. can’t be deny that this matter did hurt a lot of people especially those ladies. But who never did wrong before? Since he already lose many things because of this incident, this is the penalty for him, and it is enough. Hope that he wouldn’t disappointed us again.
Comment by Jess — February 21, 2008 #
forgive him. we are all humans and we all make mistakes. no one is perfect and we all deserve a second chance. love and peace.
Comment by victoria — February 21, 2008 #
I bet most of the youngsters nowadays practise casual s@x..no big deal..for me..he could be forgiven for shooting the pics..afterall it’s personal favor..he could be forgiven for casual s@x..again, it’s his personal life..but fooling with ppl wife?! this has beyond the moral boundary..
Comment by Felix — February 21, 2008 #
There are times in human history that damage and hurt are too far-reaching and too deep that a few mere words of remorse can possibly address, this is one of them. Through his lack of caution, his lack of good judgement and his lack of decency, he has singlehandedly destroyed not just the reputation, the lives, the trust and the respect of those ladies involved, but also smeared the whole Hong Kong society as part of the collateral damage. This damage will no doubt last for many years to come. Incredibly one man (combined with modern technology) could cause so much damage in such a short time and there was nothing any decent citizens could do to arrest this monumental mistake. A huge lesson to learn for all of us. Can you imagine if this is a nuclear bomb, and his finger is on the button?
Comment by To be fair — February 21, 2008 #
why does he have to apologize? (other than
the fact that the photos were stolen from him)
If it were me, I would probably feel extremely
proud.
In fact, a lot of girls dig this kind of stuff.
The scandal will probably help me bag more in
the future…
Like I said, that’s just me….
Comment by ConfusedOne — February 21, 2008 #
Well i think he is sincere, after what happened, those female celebrities what they meant to him, how close they are, they were involve with each other once and maybe they are friends now who knows, i guess intimate pictures of the one you know, liked or loved out in the wild, you will feel bad about it. In addition to his own personal pictures.
And also the Hong Kong triad leader has put a bounty on him and will pay whoever that will bring his hand to him, some veteran celebrity were worried about this and ask him not to return to Hong Kong for now.
With all of that in mind, i’ll say there’s no time to gloat.
Comment by Notorious — February 21, 2008 #
Hmmm. His first language is Cantonese. All parties involved speak Cantonese. Most people in Hong Kong only speak Cantonese. Yet he says sorry in English (and quite complex legal phrasing making it difficult even for most of best speakers of English in HK.)
So who was he really talking to? Hong Kong? Or Hollywood and the rest of the world aqnd his future fans?
It could be a brillian career move. He is now well and truly in the world’s public eye. He can go to Hollywood with a much higher profile and have a better chance to ‘make it’ here.
And when it all calms down. He might even be able to get some work back home in Honkers. After all, he’s seen Jackie Chan flee Hk in disgrace only to return again as a hero.
“my lawyers will protect all involved.” Ha! It’s a bit too late now! Careers ruined. famillies shamed. Marriages broken, including his. But he could have decided the fame was more important than his relationship.
Surely he’s not so stupid as to give his computer with all those pics to strangers who are best equipped to copy them.
One thing’s for certain. He must be getting some kicks out of everyone seeing who he’s been with and what they’ve done.
And loads of Chinese men around the world won’t be able to believe what they can see. Some of the most beautiful famous women in the most compromising positions (ahem!)
Comment by shek — February 21, 2008 #
He appears to be sincere but the apology lacks substance but is also calculated. The English news sources believe that he is quitting for good. Yet, he is only stepping away from HK show business for a while without a scheduled return date. Notice that he did not preclude working in other places, ie. Hollywood. He’s leaving room for maneuver. This move should bring some sympathy votes back to him since people may believe that he is overwhelmed by guilt.
Also, the only ones he should apologize to are his ladies yet somehow the broader HK community demands an apology from him. Perhaps, he is faulted for damaging the perception of a pristine, virginal world of which all must be a part of and hold to be true? More problematic is the very vulgar attachment to his taking those pictures and having s@x. What he did in private is part of everyday reality. Why be such prude? After all, he’s a victim in this.
Comment by Patrick — February 21, 2008 #