kdrama and kpop

Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Singer and actor Edison Chen Koon- hei, embroiled in an internet porn scandal, yesterday apologized to those who may have been affected by the posting of compromising nude photographs - and called on the public not to further circulate such pictures to allow the victims to heal their wounds.
For the first time in the scandal, which purportedly involves Hong Kong pop and movie stars, Chen also confirmed he was assisting the police with their inquiries into the case. Chen's apology, which was contained in a video released by his lawyer, came as police said they had uncovered more than 1,300 pictures involving six women, two of whom had yet to be identified.

In the video, Chen said he was "hurt, pained and perplexed" that a number of people's lives had been affected.

He urged internet users not to transfer the pictures anymore so as to help those affected heal their wounds. He said he had been cooperating with police since the saga erupted but that he could not comment further since there was now the possibility the case could end up in court.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vincent Wong Fook-chuen said the source of the pictures had been traced. But he would not confirm reports they had been taken from Chen's computer.

"The source of the case has been found. We believe very much that [it was] because of [someone taking his] computer for repairs and that others had, via illegal means, taken out the [obscene] information," he said.

He added whether the pictures were authentic or not is now the focus of police investigation.

The 23-year-old man arrested in Central last Saturday will be charged with the dishonest use of computers with criminal intent, which has a maximum penalty of five years' jail. The man will appear in Eastern Court today.

Wong said of the six women found in the photographs, two were not known to them - but he was certain that no overseas artistes were involved. None of the women were named.

People who had only transferred the obscene picture files to friends had not violated the law, but those who transferred them to the public - for example via internet web pages - were breaking the law, said Wong.

He said there were three clauses relating to the possession of obscene material that constitute a violation of the law, namely: publishing obscene material; possession for publishing; and inserting obscene material for publishing. He also maintained the police had not used excessive manpower as the whole case had been handled by 19 men from the Commercial Crime Bureau.

He said those unhappy with the eight-week detention of the first person detained in the case, 29-year-old Chung Yik-tin, can appeal through normal procedures.

Wong said it may not be necessary for all those affected in the case to appear in court in the future, though the police will contact the six women "if there is a chance to do so."

Wong urged anyone whose nude pictures had been posted on the internet to report to the police.

"In my 20-plus years as a policeman, I have not come across such an issue," Wong said in response to questions as to why police had not acted against other obscene photos circulating on the internet.

Source:http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=12&art_id=61190&sid=17445450&con_type=1

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He looks like he hasn't slept in days....trying to get sympathy or something?

BEIJING, Feb. 2 -- The Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild on Wednesday condemned the increasing circulation and uploading of obscene photos on the Internet, purportedly of local celebrities.

The latest example posted online Tuesday was a photo of a partially dressed woman resembling actress Cecilia Cheung. Other victims have included pop stars Edison Chen and Gillian Chung, who both appear in bed together semi-naked.

Alan Tam, the guild's chairman, said the issue had been elevated to a social topic. "The circulation of such obscene photos has created a bad atmosphere in society," he said.

Tam warned people to take care with their personal digital files.

A guild board member, Astrid Chan, said obscene photos of members of the public had also been uploaded, setting a bad example for youngsters.

She said the artists involved had yet to get in touch with the guild, but the management company of one had been in contact.

Chen's management company, Rich and Famous, confirmed it had reported the matter to police. Chen is out of town for an indefinite period, a company spokesman said.

"We believe this incident was more likely a joke in bad taste," a spokesman said. "But it appears [the person who put up the photos] has an intention to attack Edison deliberately and we should stop that."

Chung's label, Emperor Entertainment, also reported the matter to police. Her company insisted the photos were manipulated with computer software and urged the media not to publish the photos.

Hong Kong police launched an investigation Tuesday as more nude pictures purported to be of Hong Kong stars were posted online.

A police spokeswoman said the Commercial Crime Bureau was investigating "two reported cases of publishing indecent articles on the Internet."

In 2006, a Hong Kong tabloid magazine that published photos portraying Chung changing her clothes was classified as class II indecent, meaning it should not have been sold to people under the age of 18.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/02/content_7548558.htm


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My world has collapsed, I can't watch chinese tv series without thinking how not-so-innocent those actressses are...!True they're human, but did they ever thinking about the consequences by taking those pictures?Apparently not, Oh Edison...poor Gillian & Cecile. Nicholas Tse is going to hunt Edison down.........>______<

Celeb sex scandals are nothing new in the West, but a series of obscene photographs seemingly featuring local stars has sent shockwaves through the Hong Kong entertainment biz.
Pictures that appear to capture singer-actor Edison Chen and pop singer Gillian Chung engaged in sexual intercourse hit a popular online news discussion forum Jan. 27. They were followed a day later by pics that purport to be Chen and TV actress Bobo Chan and other pics showing film thesp Cecilia Cheung at Chen's apartment.

While the stars' reps insist the pics are doctored, authorities and experts were working to check their authenticity.

While police say they are investigating two reported cases of publishing indecent materials on the Internet, the Hong Kong Performing Artists Guild called for government action to curb indecent and obscene material in the media.

The guild deemed the incident not only "tragic for the entertainment industry, but for all Hong Kong people. Such immoral behavior is poison to the minds of youth today."

The pics have also raised questions about what some commentators deemed excessive behavior by the region's stars. Postings of the Chen photos were accompanied by a list of his other alleged conquests, and Hong Kong has in recent years witnessed two separate "wardrobe malfunctions" by actress Yumiko Cheng.

The incident has broader political ramifications, too.

As police issued warnings that distribution of such photos breach the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance, operators of websites and online forums moved quickly to delete pictures and steer clear of possible jail sentences and heavy fines.

But the self-censorship also truncated discussion of the photos and their societal impact, riling free-speech advocates.

"Nothing is allowed to be discussed, whatever happened to freedom of speech? When did Hong Kong become China?," posted one forum user.

Although the photos came down from the websites, they spread like wildfire via email and were posted to some 400 other websites.

The pics even raced across the Internet into China, despite a recent SARFT crackdown on online obscenity. A file purportedly containing all the photos was reportedly being downloaded 10,000 times a minute.

Source:http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979981.html?categoryId=19&cs=1