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'I have decided to do this to give myself an opportunity to heal myself and to search my soul... I have failed as a role model'
Singer and actor Edison Chen on quitting the Hong Kong entertainment industry
-- PHOTOS: AP, AFP, APPLE DAILY, THE SUN
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HONG KONG - The protagonist in the Internet sex photo scandal, Edison Chen, dropped a bombshell yesterday by saying he was quitting Hong Kong showbusiness.
The Canada-born hip-hop artist and film star, who has acted in such movies as Infernal Affairs, returned to Hong Kong from the United States yesterday to face the music.
In his first public appearance since the scandal broke on Jan 27, a sombre Chen said that he would step away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry indefinitely to 'heal himself'.
Explicit shots of him and at least half a dozen women celebrities have been circulated on the Internet over the past few weeks, sparking off a media frenzy.
Speaking in American-accented English, he said at a press conference: 'During my time away I have made an important decision. I will wholeheartedly fulfil all commitments I have to date but after that I have decided to step away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry.'
He spoke in a calm voice amid a flood of camera flashes from the hundreds of reporters gathered.
'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 indefinitely.'
He admitted for the first time that he had taken most of the pictures.
But he did not identify the women in the photos, which appear to show him and several stars - including singer Gillian Chung and actress Cecilia Cheung - either engaged in sex acts or in sexually suggestive poses.
'These photos were very private and have not been shown to people and were never intended to be shown to anyone,' he said.
'These photos were stolen from me illegally and distributed without my consent. There's no doubt whoever obtained these photos had been uploading them on the Internet with malicious and deliberate intent,' he said.
'I have failed as a role model. However, I wish that this matter will teach everyone a lesson.'
Chen, who has a role in the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, apologised profusely for the photos.
'I would like to apologise to all the ladies and to all their families for any harm or hurt that they have been feeling. I am sorry,' he said.
'I would like to say sorry to all the people in Hong Kong. I give my apology sincerely to you all with my heart.'
He also apologised to his parents and thanked the police 'for their hard work on this case'.
'I have been assisting the police since the first day the photos were published and I will continue to assist them,' he said.
Hong Kong police have so far made nine arrests in connection with the scandal.
The scandal has spread across the region, with police in Taiwan and China arresting around a dozen people this week for allegedly possessing and distributing the photos.
Chen kicked off his entertainment career in 2000, reportedly after being noticed by a talent scout while clubbing in Hong Kong.
He has acted in movies such as Gen-Y Cops (2000), Infernal Affairs (2000), The Twins Effect (2003) and Initial D (2005).
In 2006, he made his Hollywood movie debut, in the horror sequel The Grudge 2.
Last year, he emerged as a surprise addition to the cast of The Dark Knight, in which he has a cameo role as a villain.
He has also turned entrepreneurial in recent years, founding a hip-hop themed design, promotion and entertainment production company.
Reuters, AP, AFP
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