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Edison Chen: I Took Photos, I’m Sorry, I Quit Showbiz

21 February 2008
Alex Au

Edison Chen (陳冠希), the male star at the centre of the sex photos scandal that has rocked Hong Kong, held a long-awaited press conference today. He confirmed that the photos are authentic, apologized for the fallout, and promised to suspend his showbiz career.

It was the first time the actor-singer had returned to Hong Kong and faced the media since he left the city after sex photos of him and women – purportedly celebrities including Gillian Chung (鍾欣桐), Bobo Chan (陳文媛) and Cecilia Cheung (張栢芝) – started surfacing on the internet almost four weeks ago.

He arrived in Hong Kong around 10 AM from the US, but managed to avoid the staked-out media because his management company had arranged with the airport to sneak him out of a back door. He addressed the press at the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay around 3 PM. His entire statement was in English.

He confirmed that the sex photos belong to him and had been stolen from his computer.

“I admit that most of the photos being circulated on the internet were taken by me,” the 27-year-old said.

He added: “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.”

Although he did not reveal the identity of the women in the photos, he apologized to them.

“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,” he said.

He apologized for the public fallout the scandal had caused.

“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,” he said.

He added: “I know young people in Hong Kong look up to many figures in our society. And, in this regard, I failed as a role model.”

He revealed that he will be quitting show business.

“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,” he said.

“I will be away from Hong Kong entertainment indefinitely.”

He said that he is cooperating with the police, who have been investigating the leak and spread of the photos.

“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.”

He finished: “I hope you all will accept my apology and give me a chance.”

Although hundreds of reporters, photographers and cameramen had gathered, Edison did not take any questions.

CREDITS : BATGWA

This is the dialogue he speech during the press conference.

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!

我回到香港，一個人面對這一切，我從來沒有想過逃避，這幾周我一直和我的媽媽，我的家 人和我爱的人在一起，他們一直支持和幫助我。

我承認這次事件中的大多數照片都是我拍的，但是它們都是在很隱私的情況下拍攝的，而且 我從來沒有想過向別人展示，毫無疑問，是有人非法從我這里竊取了這些照片，沒有經過我 的同意，並在互聯網上惡意傳播，給這個社會造成了惡劣的影響，我非常遺憾。

我要向所有人為此次事件受到的傷害表達歉意，向相關的女士和她們的家人受到的傷害道歉 ，向我的家人道歉，我的父母道歉，最重要的是，我要向全香港人道歉，我衷心地毫無保留 地表達我的歉意。

我知道這個時代的年輕人崇拜這個社會的偶像，但我不是榜樣，我希望這次的事件可以教育 年輕人，我做出的事情並不是榜樣應該做的事情。

我決定，我將在全心全意履行完已經承諾的工作之後，退出香港娛樂圈，醫治自己的傷口和 靈魂，我還會貢獻時間做慈善，然後我將永遠的離開娛樂圈。

我希望這件事能盡快結束，從照片流出的第一天開始，我就一直在配合警方，我感謝警方做 出的辛勤工作。現在的當務之急是停止傷害，不要讓這件事陷入進一步失控的境地，以保護 無辜的人和年輕人。我要求我的律師在法律允許的範圍內幫助那些受害者。

最後，我要謝謝你們可以到這裏聽我的解釋，謝謝你們給我機會聽我的解釋，我希望你們可 以原諒我，以及這件事帶來的傷害，我要再次向被牽扯到這次事件中的女士道歉，向她們的 親屬道歉，向我的家人道歉，向全香港的人民道歉，希望可以再給我一次機會.