Edison Chen Gave Unreserved Apology

The shitstorm that is called Photogate reached another new crest when accidental porn star Edison Chen returned Hong Kong and held a news conference on February 21, mainly to apologize and to ask for forgiveness. The press conference has the potential to salvage his flattering image, or further plummet his career to the point of no return. Through out the press event, Edison Chen was in his best behavior, delivering his career best on-screen performance (hmmm, I didn't see his porn performance, so I don't know), that's worthy of an Oscar nomination in either the documentary or drama category depending on what you want to believe.

The following transcript is cut-and-pasted from a post by 14K Guy here:-

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.

In the entire conference, he felt "saddened" twice, "sorry" three times, and most importantly "apologize"d or offered his "apology" unreservedly a whopping seven times. Chen also says he "will be away from Hong Kong entertainment industry indefinitely. There is no time frame." This has been translated by some Chinese media as quitting show business forever. I think "away indefinitely" is purposely vague and still leaves room for his return. Judging from his news conference performance, a Mingpao poll, and the Golden reaction (read mob reaction), I think he does stand a chance of coming back. As for now, his fans can only hope for his Batman cameo not ending up on the cutting room floor.(Wow, what's with this Batman thing now that I think about it. Heath Ledger died and Edison is on a career ending trajectory.) As to his news conference attire, I think he was a tad under dressed. I would like to see him in full armor: dark colored two buttoned suit, white shirt and solid colored tie. Nothing fancy or chic. The hair was appropriate though.

Meanwhile for meaningful coverage of this event, please stay away from any local print coverage or my blog.

UPDATE:
Whatever public sympathy and understanding Chen earned from his press conference, the cops blew away. The department mobilized an unprecedented number of policemen to cordon off Chen's ride from the press corps after the news conference. Once again proving or giving the impression that the rich and famous are just not like you and me.

Deep News Analysis Not For The Faint Of Heart

This is the only news analysis regarding the recent Photogate that's worth reading. On the backlash of being good looking and articulate in English (in a mostly Cantonese speaking metropolitan society), my commenter Vincent has this to say:

I just learned that Mr Chen has some Portugese blood. His grandfather or great grandfather was Portugese. His success with women had prompted me to study this case as a social phenomenom (sic). In the immediate future, I think there will be a backlash against all those English speaking, tall good-looking guys with a touch of Western blood. Middle-aged, balding, full-blooded Cantonese guys like vl, wp and sk are going to enjoy a rebound.

Vincent

You know a comment this good deserves a separate post in the baddest blog.

Let there be hope. May the middle-aged-shit-faced balding guy be the new Casanova. As long as there are still silly and naive girls out there, there are hopes.

From Salacious Images to Free-Speeches

The New York Times, the "all the news that's fit to print" newspaper has Photogate on C3, the World Business section, above the fold featuring a 7.5 x 5 inch picture of the Photogate news conference held by Gillian Chung and another picture showing a handsome Edison Chen beaming, apparently promoting his Hollywood movie Grudge 2 from a happier day.

The story has nothing to add to the discussion. However if you can't get enough of the story or simply just want to see how coverage of the story from a NY paper, feel free to check out the article written by Keith Bradsher with additional reporting by Hilda Wang.

Internet Sex Video Case Stirs Free-Speech Issues in Hong Kong

UPDATE:
This event has been officially declared international already, that is by me. Now both sides of the Atlantic carry this news. The Guardian is putting it under News>World News>China (not as crazy as the New York Times which has it filed under World Business), and according to the web edition, it's the 4th most read article, just a notch above Danish papers reprint Muhammed cartoons. Sex still trumps cartoons.

UPDATE (2/15/08):
Not to be outdone by all the news that fits to print, the WSJ is latching on the Photogate scandal that has been rocking the Chinese speaking societies for weeks. Again, the original pictures are too hot for WSJ to handle and the article doesn't add anything that hasn't been discussed before except to the extent that WSJ does include parodies of the incident in the supplementary slide show.