APOLOGIZING FOR SCANDAL

This blog entry by Carmen Kwok
The story: "Twins star apologizes to her fans"

The analysis:

This article mentioned that the Cantopop duo Twins member Gillian Chung apologized for the recent publication of nude pictures purportedly of pop and movie stars. She admitted she was very naive and very silly in the past, but now she has grown up and will continue her work and face her life positively.

In fact, the main character of this story was Gillian's ex-boyfriend, singer and actor Edison Chen. According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vincent Wong, it was convinced very much that because of the assistant of Edison Chen taking his computer for repairs, others had via illegal means to take out the obscene information from the computer. As a result, the nude pictures purportedly of pop and movie stars spread speedily through internet. Police also said they had uncovered more than 1,300 pictures involving six women who purportedly Hong Kong pops and movie stars. Some pictures were seemingly taken during sexual intercourse. After the few days that nude pictures leaked online, Edison Chen released a video with his apology to the public. He urged internet users not to transfer the pictures anymore as it may hurt and affect the healing a number of people's lives. And Gillian Chung was the first women who purportedly involved in this pornography scandal to apologize in the public response.
There is no denying that this news shocks over the Hong Kong. Traditionally, girls should defend one's chastity. Pre-marriage sex is not socially acceptable for most Hong Kong people. However, recently hundred and hundred purportedly Hong Kong pops and movie stars' nude pictures spread through internet. Everyone discusses this news, although you are in the school, family, or workplace. Even, this news continuously has appeared on the front page of most newspapers for several days. Thus, it becomes a very controversial topic in Hong Kong.

Yet, the most I concern from this news is not the problem of pre-marriage sex. Instead, I would like to talk about the issue of apology by Gillian Chung and Edison Chen. In fact, comprehensive discussion was raised after the publication of Edison's apology video. Some criticized him as a coward as he did not apologize directly in front of the public. Some criticized his apology without any sincerity. Similarly, the apology of Gillian did not receive much positive response. Some argued that she was not serious enough in her response. And some urged her not to be so silly.

Personally, I appreciate them with their brave apology, as it is really difficult to face public with such pornography scandal. But I do think that the people who are more worthy to apologize to this issue are the original perpetrators and the public instead of the victims. Having sex originally is the privacy of two people. But the repairers of the computer company violated their professional ethics and illegally stole customer's personal information. Apart from that, they also issued the obscene pictures on internet. As a consequence, the privacy was eventually opened to the public without the approval of the victims. However, the repairers did not feel guilty and they continuously transferred the nude pictures files to the public even after they were arrested.

Besides, the public also bore a part of responsibilities. As the ban against publication of nude pictures to public carried out, the pictures were removed from the forum and website quickly. Yet, people transferred the files from one to one by e-mail and msn. I do believe that the curiosity of public helps to deteriorate this issue. If no one transfer the nude files to others, it might not come to be today's such sad plight. Thus, I think the public should bear partial responsibilities of this event.
Ironically, the victims were blamed at the end of this story rather than the ones who should really apologize for this event. I do think that everyone should be forgiven by others as long as he can repent and start anew. But the one who does not repent of his mistake should be blamed admittedly.

Other sources: From `how bad' to `naive and silly'
Police act as more nude pictures of 'stars' appear
Edison Chen Apologizes After Nude Pictures Leak Online