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Even after announcing his “retirement,” Edison Chen and his infamous sex photos continues to catch my attention. Only now, instead of making the most recent headlines of The Los Angeles Times and ABC News, he’s being “sighted” in more unexpected places and ways.

Edison Sighting #1: The other day while listening to Live 105’s The Woody Show on my way to work, a caller brought up the whole Edison Chen sex photo scandal during a long discussion about taking photos/video taping your sexual escapades and saving it unbeknown-st to other person. Though the woman did not remember the names and was pretty vague in her description of the scandal, it was obvious that Edison was now also hitting the radio airwaves in the U.S.

Edison Sighting #2: Earlier this week, a former colleague from The Agency sent me this link.

Apparently, an e-mail is circulating through out the Chinese speaking world that has translated Edison’s press conference statement (which was spoken in English) into Chinese. On top of that, key words and phrases have been highlighted and explained in further detail.

PR Notes: In my original analysis of Edison’s crisis communication strategies, I was dumbfounded as to why he use English in his first on-line plea for people to stop circulating the images. A week later, I was again perplexed as to why he would use English in during his press conference in Hong Kong.

Based on logical common sense, wasn’t it obvious that it would have been more appropriate for Edison to speak in Cantonese, since his audience (the people who have followed the scandal from the beginning and probably care the most) speaks Chinese? It almost felt like he was catering to the foreign press, which really should have been the least of his concerns.

Concluding: But in retrospect, I suppose that forcing Chinese people everywhere to learn English and translate his statement was his first “act of charity” since his departure from Hong Kong’s entertainment industry.

See below for the E-mail:
Special thanks to Thomas Crampton for his originally posting the e-mail.

冠希的道歉信, 用词准确地道，包含50多个考研(雅思)核心词汇，经改编可成为一篇高质量的考研完形填空或雅思阅读理解。

Edison这小子虽然“猥琐“，但英文用词的难度达到了考研英语（国内最变态英语考试）要求，参加雅思考试估计8分以上不成问题。

1. 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.

核心词汇解析
account for 1) 说明，解释；2) 占…比例
escape from从…逃脱, 推卸责任
escape＝es(ex=out) + cape(catch)

2. 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.

核心词汇解析
circulate = circul(circle圆圈) + ate v.循环，流通
intend to v.打算去…
illegal = il(not) + legal (合法的) + ly adv.违法地
单词组记: distribute, contribute, attribute, tribute
distribute = dis(away)+ tribute(give) = give away vt.分发，传播
contribute = con(fully) + tribute vt.贡献; 投稿 [助记]全部都给了
attribute to v.归因于
tribute n.贡品，颂词 [助记] 给国王的礼物
单词组记:consent, dissent, resent, sentimental
consent = con(共同)+ sent(=sense情感) n.赞同，同意＝agreement
dissent = dis(not) + sent n.不同意 [助记]不同的情感 = disagreement
resent = re(against) + sent n.憎恨　[助记]　相对抗的情感= hatred
sentimental[谐音]三屉馒头,失恋了只吃三屉馒头,所以是—a.多愁善感的

3. 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.

核心词汇解析
单词组记: mal-＝bad坏
malice = mal + ice(冰) n.恶意;【律】预谋, 蓄意 [助记]在路上放一块冰，想让陈冠希滑倒，这是有预谋的恶意伤害。
malicious= malice(恶意) + ious(形容词) a.恶意的
mal-function n.功能紊乱
mal-nutrition n.营养不良
maltreat = mal + treat(对待) vt.虐待
单词组记: libra天平, deliberate, liberate, liberty, libertine, libido
一直到现在，英国的法院门口还站立着古希腊象征法律精神的正义女神(DICE)的雕像，她左手拿着神圣的天平Libra，象征着权衡和平等；右手拿着宝剑，象征着裁决和力量；眼睛被布蒙着，象征绝对的公正无私。
deliberate = de(强调) + libera(=libra) + ate a. 深思熟虑的, 故意的 [助记] 把你的想法放在天平上称量，引申为深思熟虑的，深思熟虑的结果当然是故意的
liberate = liber (自由=libera)+ ate vt.解放(让人民获得自由)
自由和天平有什么关系呢？ 天平的作用是让两边重量相等，平等。解放全人类不就是让人民平等吗？人民解放军PLA：People’s Liberation Army liberation的职责就是解放全中国让中国人民平等自由
liberty n.自由
libertine这个单词叫”浪荡子”，原来就是”特别自由的人”的意思，” 挺（tin）自由（liber）的”
libido弗洛伊德的著作里面，他造出一个表示”性动力”的单词libido（中文翻译成”利比多”），表达的就是这种本源的不受控制的力量。
单词组记:deteriorate,interior, exterior, territory
deteriorate = de(down) + terior(土地) +ate(动词) v.使恶化; 败坏(风俗); 使变坏(品质等) [助记] 品格败坏的人就应该入土活埋。
to the extent 到了….程度
in this regard 在这一点上 = in this case
单词组记: 神奇的-en可以把形容词名词变为你想要的动词
sadden = sad + d + en vt.使人悲哀
strengthen = strength(strong的名词) + en vt.加强（力量）
weaken = weak + en vt.削弱
lengthen = length(long的名词) + en vt.延长
还有一个超级牛的单词前后都加en
enlighten= en + light + en vt.启蒙；（用思想）照亮
intent n.意图，打算
unreservedly = un + reserved(保留的) + ly(副词) adv.毫无保留地

4. 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.

核心词汇解析
look up to 仰望，尊重= respect
look down upon/on 鄙视，瞧不起=despise
role model 榜样

5. 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 HK 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.

核心词汇解析
whole-heatedly 全心全意地; single-mindedly一心一意地
fulfill one’s commitment vt.履行…的诺言
dedicate to 把…奉献给,投身于…
charity = char(=care关心)+ ity (名词) n.慈善，慈善事业 [助记]关心穷人就是做慈善

6. 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.

核心词汇解析
Press con. = press conference 新闻发布会
press free. = press freedom 言论自由
press 是”压”的意思，怎么会变成”新闻”，”言论”呢？
因为最初的报纸都是油墨印刷,需要把纸紧紧的压在刻版上才能印刷出字来.所以press有了一个引申意:n.出版业,印刷业. 出版印刷业不就是发布新闻和言论的阵地吗?
obligation n.义务
investigation n.调查

7. 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.

核心词汇解析
单词组记:prior to, priority
pri = pre是一个拉丁前缀表示before
[书面]prior to = [口语]before
小翻译 : 在你离开之前,请完成这项工作.
Prior to your departure, please complete this task.
小翻译: 预先警告/通知 prior warning/notice.
priority = prior + ity(名词) n.优先考虑的事情, 优先权
单词组忆: victor, victory, victim
vict中的V象征着胜利，vict-表示征服
victory n.胜利
victor =vict + or(人) n.胜利者, 征服者
victim = vict + im(我是) [助记]我是被征服了，当然就成了n.受害人，牺牲品
innocent = in + no + cent(一分钱) [助忆]兜里没有一分钱, 所以没有偷窃, 是无辜的 a. 无辜的, 天真的

8. 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.

[书]with regard to关于= [口]about

As if Edison didn’t have enough problems already with his current sex photo scandal……

Yesterday, I was alerted this latest development - T-shirts that are turning the scandal’s key catch phrases (i.e. “silly and naive”) and other references into a cash cow. Looks like Clot is going to have some competition on their hands. On another note, I’ve got to hand it to Hong Kong people - They can turn anything into an opportunity to make money and/or a fashion statement…..just recall the fashion masks that were sold and used during the SARs epidemic.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these shirts, they are available on-line here. Just know that you’ll be paying in Hong Kong dollars and will probably need to pay for a lot of shipping. Also kindly note, I normally wouldn’t offer any company such as shameless plug like this, but these shirts are just too funny not to share. Enjoy!

[UPDATE] FanBan, the company behind the “Edison, Shoot Me Too” T-Shirt Collection has a MySpace and has made their T-Shirts available to the U.S. and Canada through the CafePress.com

About a week and half after starting my blog last, last Friday (2/15), I have now reached my first significant milestone as a blogger. My blog has been viewed over 1,000 times!!

Thank you for reading and a big thank you to Edison Chen. I couldn’t have done it without you. Because of your sex photo scandal and the many intrigued and possibly perverted individuals looking for up-to-the-minute gossip and the actually photos, my blog jumped from about 2-3 total views to an impressive 210 views in only 8 hours after I posted my second entry about the Edison Chen scandal (which, by the way, is very impressive by my standards, though rather very insignificant compared to more established blogs). Incidentally, my number of views again jumped today after I did a follow up on Edison for my eight entry.

Thanks again everyone, please come back and read even after Edison is not hot news anymore. Also, please leave me a comment. I would be most grateful, if you would weigh in on any of my random rants and raves.

Note: My excitement stems from the fact that all my previous blogs (Xanga and Blogspot) probably did not amount to more than 100 views total. I’ve had the Xanga blog since about 2002 or 2003, but I would post about 2 a year.

In an update to my post last week on the Edison Chen Scandal, I’ve decided to follow-up in light of recent, rather interesting developments to the whole fiasco.

Last week, Edison Chen made his “promised” return to Hong Kong and held a press conference to express his apologies and, more surprisingly, to announce his indefinite departure from the HK entertainment industry.

To watch the whole press conference, click on the video compiled and edited together by the South China Morning Post below:

Prior to Edison’s return from his self-imposed exile/hiding in the U.S. and Canada, the rumor mill on many Asian entertainment gossip blogs were flying off the charts. Here are my top picks:

• Edison Chen proposed to current girlfriend and reluctant adult film star, Vincy Yeung in a public relations bid to “clean up” his image, but was rejected (allegedly, multiple times). Vincey was said to have been following the advise of her family, who by the way owns Edison’s management company EEG Entertainment.
• Nicolas Tse and Cecilia Cheung were also rumored to have headed for divorce over the photos because it was alleged that Cecilia had been unfaithful while they were dating and during their marriage. Several strategic public outings, including a co-signed congratulatory gift to Aaron Kwok for his recent concert, are quickly putting these rumors to bed.
• Hong Kong’s triad bosses, who are known to pull all the strings in HK’s seedy entertainment industry, had put a bounty on Edison for tarnishing the industry. These gangsters were either after his life or his hand, which was why Edison was hiding out in Canada and in the U.S.

PR Analysis – Reassessment
In my first post, I made a few predictions about the careers of the three highest-profile individuals involved based on their pre-scandal image and their post-scandal crisis communications strategies.

My guess is that Edison and Cecilia will still be able to get film work though they both will be typed cast that the “baddie” or the “kid from the wrong side of the tracks.”……. Gillian’s career however is likely to suffer the most since she is built her entire image on being squeaky clean and chaste.

Approximately one week later, let’s see how my analysis and assessment has fared so far:

• Edison Chen:Last Thursday (2/21), he announced an “indefinite” break from the Hong Kong entertainment industry in order devote his time to charity and soul-searching. This definitely was a very unexpected move, as I had anticipated that he would have been very confident in his ability to ride out the controversy and continue on with his life, status quo. Personally, I think that this maybe the smartest PR move that he has made since the whole thing started. With all the heat and criticism that he has received, his best (and possibly only) option is to lay low, very, very low, for a very long time. I suspect that he is banking on the media frenzy to eventually die down and move on to the next hot story to capture the Chinese people’s imagination and slowly start to erase all memory of his illicit photos from public concern. SCMP reported that his decision had received applause as well as doubts. (subscription required). Additionally, he was also smart to call it an “indefinite” break, which gives him leeway to make a possible, come back (but it would need to extremely well maneuvered by a very experienced and savvy public relations/publicity team). Though he has plenty to keep him occupied in the meantime, such as his many entrepreneurial ventures — from nightclubs to a clothing line, Clot. Last year, I read in an article from the San Francisco Chronicle in which he hoped to fashion himself into China’s Jay-Z. Good luck with that now, Edison.

• Cecilia Cheung: While most certainly not immune to rumors and criticism, it looks like Cecilia has been the more successful in continuing working without as much public outrage, as expected. It was a smart move for her to focus on more closed-door work (like filming or recording) as opposed to large venue publicity events. Interestingly enough, she has not made any public statement, which has actually worked to her advantage. From the look of her PR strategy, by not trying to win public forgiveness (especially, for something that she probably isn’t that sorry about) she is not faced with the public opinion about her sincerity and such. It also helps that that “good girl” character has never been apart of her public personal. Gillian, as we can see below, should really take notes from Cecilia’s people.

• Gillian Cheng: Also as expected, Gillian’s career has definitely taken a lot of heavy and hard hits, especially after her much criticized public apology/”I was naive and silly” statement. From her publicly-panned appearance on a recent TVB program to an emotional breakdown that has lead her to pull-out of a movie and several public appearances, and now to banned from performing at the Opening Ceremony during the 2008 Beijing Olympic—it’s really not looking good for this girl.

From the look at most of the headlines, the recent death of beloved HK comedian, Lydia Sum passed away, which has redirected much of the media attention in the recent days. Only time will tell how this will all play out, though unless more sex photo/video scandals pop up, the Hong Kong entertainment industry is unlikely to become more forgiving, or even becoming a career-maker for unknown would-be celebrity like Hollywood. But then again, that might be a really good thing.

U.S. Media Coverage

Two weeks after the Edison Chen sex photos first surfaced on the Internet, the scandal made headlines in many of the top U.S. daily newspapers, including New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Even one of the top tech industry trade magazine, ComputerWorld, has chimed in on their thoughts of the story. Given that the Chinese celebrities involved are fairly unknown or pretty low on the Hollywood C-list, it was interesting to read the different angles being taken by these non-Chinese publications who have just gotten wind of the story this week:

• NYT focused on the free speech infringements made by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments by hunting down and arresting the bloggers who circulate and post the illicit photos.

• WSJ on the other hand brought up the discussion that the photos have raised in China and Hong Kong’s more conservative societies. One interesting analogy came from an advertising executives whose aunts and grandmother has asked to see the original photographs and felt compelled to discuss it.

• ComputerWorld obviously took a more tech stand point, blogging about the dos and don’ts of bringing in your computer for repairs and suggested backing up such photos on an external hard drive (if you choose to be so foolish as to keep such photos).

Public Relations Analysis

From a public relations stand point, I have been most interested in how these celebrities will handle their crisis communications and whether or not they will be able to continue their careers in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry. Will any of them be able to pull off a Paris Hilton and parlay the publicity from these sex photos into a career booster?

Though I doubt that any of them will be so lucky, my guess is that Edison and Cecilia will still be able to get film work though they both will be typed cast that the “baddie” or the “kid from the wrong side of the tracks.” It should be noted that both have played one or the other types of characters before, but it seems unlikely that they will every play the innocent, good kid characters again.

Gillian’s career however is likely to suffer the most since she is built her entire image on being squeaky clean and chaste. Not only that, but people have been quick to point out the hypocrisy of these photos given the bucket of tears fuss she made about the paparazzi taking photos of her changing last year.

Crisis Communications At Work

If any of them manages to really turn it around and make come back, I’d give them props. But I’ll have to wait and see, but so far, I have not been impressed by any of their PR/publicist’s recommendations and subsequent actions:

• When the photos first appeared, Gillian Chung’s management agency, Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG), immediately denied that the photos were authentic and filed a police report.
  • Honesty is always the best policy; EEG should have verified the photos with their clients before issuing any kind of statements (but then again the starlet would have probably denied their authenticity, so either way, EEG would likely be in this pickle regardless). The backlash from denying anything especially when it is lie/wrong doing on the part of the company is usually disastrous.

• Gillian Chung made a public statement and appearance, apologizing for the photos without confirming her involvement but calling herself “naive” and “silly.”
  • While she should be commended for actually making a statement in public unlike the other starlets involved, but giving off the ‘oops, my bad….let’s move on’ vibe as many publications have indicated would have been better played had she not already donned the ‘innocent victim and chaste young girl’ role in handling her previous paparazzi photo scandal. Now she faces criticism for being a hypocrite in addition to a sex pot.

  
  

• Edison Chen made public plea for decency and half ass-ed apology on his blog via recorded video. This video has since been largely circulated on YouTube.
  • “Lame” –that’s the first word that popped into my mind when I watched this. Not only did his English sound so awkward (especially since he’s a native speaker from Canada), but something about his statement being made on-line seemed off-kilter to me. If he insisted on speaking directly to the public this when, then I think he should have spoke in Chinese and used a more authentic way of speaking then his quasi-formal choice of words.
    
    
  • I feel like he should have first issued a written statement on the wire and then make a public statement whenever he decides to come out of hiding. Trying to do the viral marketing thing when your scandal began and grew virally, seemed like a poor choice. Now, people have more material to work with: