William So apologises for 2002 drug scandal which led to China concert cancellation

Hong Kong singer William So, whose concert in Wenzhou, China, scheduled for early October was recently axed due to a drug scandal in 2002, has broken his silence after a week.

“Please allow me to sincerely apologise again,” he wrote in Chinese on social media late on Sept 23. “Because of a mistake I made 23 years ago, I’ve recently again used up some public resources, causing everyone to expend their energy on it. I am sorry.”

So, who turned 58 on Sept 24, was arrested in 2002 for taking Ecstasy pills at a pub in Taipei and was later sentenced to 11 days of drug rehabilitation.

“I deeply understand that the stain of a mistake can never be erased. In the past 23 years, not a single day has passed without my remembering it,” he wrote. “I have never tried to forget it, but I often think of it to remind myself to be good in every step of my life.

“I also hope that through my mistake and its consequences, everyone will reflect on the fact that we cannot live our life over again and that we must be careful in both our words and actions.”

So, who is famous for songs such as A Man Shouldn’t Let A Woman Cry (1995) and To Love Someone Is Hard (1999), is married to fashion executive Anita Fung and they have an eight-year-old son.

“Thus, over the past 23 years, I’ve been diligently rebuilding my life, dedicating myself fully to my roles as a son, husband and father,” he wrote. “I’ve come to understand that everyone must contribute to society, especially those who have made mistakes. Therefore, over the past 23 years, I’ve been doing my best to give back to society.”

So said he would continue striving to embody the ancient wisdom: “To recognise one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue.”

“I’m not saying this to seek erasure of my blemish, but to hope that through my efforts, it will gradually fade, change colour and eventually become a scar that brings encouragement,” So added. “Finally, I want to say to everyone once again: I’m sorry.”

He received words of encouragement from his wife and his celebrity pals, including Singapore singer Kit Chan, under his post on Instagram.

“Jiayou, hubby,” Ms Fung wrote, using an expression of encouragement in Chinese. “I, as well as the family and friends who cherish you most, will always be by your side to support you.”

Chan has collaborated with So several times, including on the Cantonese and Mandarin theme songs for Hong Kong action romantic comedy Gorgeous (1999). She wrote: “Stay strong, William. Admit your mistakes, make amends and keep pushing forward.”

So was due to hold a sold-out concert in Wenzhou on Oct 6 as part of his So Live World Tour.

However, a netizen wrote on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Sept 12 that the person has lodged a complaint with the Wenzhou authorities over So’s previous drug offence, as China has a zero-tolerance approach towards drugs.

So’s concert was taken down from the ticketing website on Sept 16, with the Chinese media saying that the concert organiser had submitted an application to cancel the performance.

Another Chinese netizen noted on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu that TVB reality singing show The Sound Of Talents, on which So was one of the mentors, is no longer available in China after his concert was cancelled.