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Edison Chen

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In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Chen. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Edison Chen and the Chinese-style name is Chen Koon-hei.
Edison Chen
陳冠希
Born
Chen Hing-wah

(1980-10-07) October 7, 1980 (age 44)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Western Canada
Citizenship
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • actor
  • entrepreneur
  • fashion designer
Years active1999–Present
PartnerQin Shupei (2015-Present)
ChildrenAlaia Chen
Musical career
Also known asEDC
OriginHong Kong
GenresHong Kong hip hop, Chinese hip hop, Cantopop, Mandopop
InstrumentVocals
LabelsClot Media Division, EEG
Chen Koon-hei
Traditional Chinese陳冠希
Simplified Chinese陈冠希
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChén Guànxī
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationChàhn Gunhēi
JyutpingCan4 Gun3hei1
Hong Kong RomanisationChan Koon-hei
Macau RomanizationChan Kun-hei
Chan Hing-wah
Traditional Chinese陳興華
Simplified Chinese陈兴华
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChén Xīnghuá
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingCan4 Hing1waa4
Hong Kong RomanisationChan Hing-wah
Macau RomanizationChan Heng-wa
Websiteclot.com

Edison Chen Koon-hei (Chinese: 陳冠希, born Chen Hing-wah on 7 October 1980) is a Canadian-born Hong Kong actor, singer, rapper, fashion designer and entrepreneur.[1] Chen is the co-founder of CLOT, a Hong Kong-based streetwear and fashion label.[2] Debuting in 1999, he released multiple Cantopop and Mandopop albums under the record company Emperor Entertainment Group, before releasing Please Steal This Album in 2004, the first of many Cantonese-language hip-hop albums.

On 21 February 2008, he publicly announced that he intended to step away "indefinitely" from the Hong Kong entertainment industry due to a sex photo scandal, in which numerous explicit photographs of Chen and several Hong Kong actresses were published online.[3][4] He returned in 2010 but other than a brief cameo in the 2014 film Golden Chickensss, he did not make a complete comeback to the Hong Kong film industry until 2016.

Early life

Along with his two older sisters, Chen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and is of Chinese and one-eighth Portuguese descent.[5] Chen's father is businessman Edward Chen (陳澤民), a Hong Kong entertainment industry mogul famously known as "Ninth Brother" (九哥).[6][7] He is of Shanghai ancestry on his father's side.[8]

He was a student at R.C. Palmer Secondary School in Richmond, British Columbia and also attended Hong Kong International School. He was in the same tenth grade class as fellow actor Nicholas Tse.

Chen's native language is English. He is also fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, which he primarily records music in. He speaks conversational Japanese as a result of his early training to be a Hong Kong idol,[9] and he knows some basic Khmer since he learnt it when portraying a Cambodian assassin in the 2006 Hong Kong movie Dog Bite Dog.[10]

Career

Film

In 1999, a talent scout approached Chen while he was clubbing with friends in Hong Kong and asked him to film a commercial.[11] He was first featured in Leon Lai's Citibank commercial. In the same year, he also starred alongside Cecilia Cheung in a commemorative subway commercial.[12]

From then on, his career began with the Japanese film Dead or Alive 2: Birds. He made his Hong Kong film debut in the film Gen-Y Cops in 2000.[13] He starred in many popular films including Infernal Affairs, Infernal Affairs II, Initial D, and Dog Bite Dog. Determined to expand his horizons to countries around the world, he also starred in the Japanese drama Under the Same Moon. In 2006, he made his American debut as a Hong Kong journalist in The Grudge 2. He was offered a small role in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift but he declined.[14] His final film in Hong Kong as of 2013 is The Sniper, which was filmed before his photo scandal.

He also filmed a cameo as a thug in The Dark Knight but because of the scandal, his role was reduced and was seen very briefly as a receptionist instead. Some reports states that he was originally cast to play Lau, a corrupted Chinese accountant, which was played by Chin Han. He made his comeback in an Asian-American film called Almost Perfect. On 28 October, during a fashion event in Beijing, Edison Chen announced that he would be starring in Initial D 2. The filming of the movie was scheduled to begin in 2011 but it has been delayed indefinitely.[15] In 2014, he made an brief comeback to the Hong Kong film industry in Golden Chickensss. After eight years of doing short roles, he is officially making a comeback to the entertainment business after he was spotted filming for Lou Ye's new project in Guangzhou in April 2016.[16]

Music

In 2000, at the age of 20, Chen landed a record deal with Emperor Entertainment Group. It took him a number of successful album releases before he was given the opportunity to produce a hip hop album.[17] His first hip-hop release was in February 2004, called Please Steal This Album backed by MC Yan and Singaporean musician Hanjin Chen. Several singles from the album topped local pop charts. Chen mentioned the difficulty of fitting in Hong Kong, where Cantopop dominates, but said that hip hop has a great potential.[17]

He is featured on M-Flo's album, Cosmicolor, on the track "LOVE ME, HATE THE GAME" with Chen, Thaitanium and Ryohei Yamamoto.

After Chen's comeback in late 2009 he began work on his next album titled Confusion. The record includes a feature by well-known Taiwanese rapper MC HotDog, as well as famous singers Sammi Cheng and Jay Chou.

Chen released two Cantonese hip-hop albums in collaboration with Hong Kong rappers MC Yan and Chef entitled 三角度 (3 Corners) and 三角度(二) (3 Corners II) in 2012 and 2015 respectively.

Fashion and business founder

Edison's foray into the fashion industry accompanied his rising success as a young pop icon. Edison, along with partners Kevin Poon and Billy Ip, became the founders of CLOT Inc., a clothing company described as a "lifestyle company" that is geared toward youth culture, and bringing street fashion to China.[18] The company has collaborated with many big clothing companies, such as Adidas, Nike, A Bathing Ape, Subcrew and Disney. CLOT operates multiple stores worldwide through its retail component JUICE STORE, including in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, mainland China and Taiwan.[19]

Multimedia company

In February 2007, he invested $10 million HKD to open his own multi-media company, Clot Media Division, which plans to produce movies, commercials and music albums. In June 2007, he released a Mandarin album, Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself (讓我再次介紹我自己), with tracks produced by legendary hip-hop artist Kanye West, as well as producers Just Blaze and Clinton Sparks.

Community work

As early as 2001 Chen had appeared in Vancouver charity shows. He has also been a supporter for the gay and lesbian community in Hong Kong, including being voted as an icon in 2001.[13]

In 2007 he was invited by Be@rbrick toys for a charity event in Harbour City, Hong Kong. The charity proceeds were donated to "Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation".[20]

Video game voice work

He provided English and Cantonese voice work as a Sun On Yee triad member (inspired by the real life triad Sun Yee On) named Jackie Ma, a major character in the 2012 open world action-adventure video game Sleeping Dogs.[21] Sleeping Dogs is set in the city of Hong Kong, and also features voice work from other established actors including Will Yun Lee, Emma Stone and Lucy Liu.[22]

Incidents

2004 victim of assault

In March 2004, two male teenagers assaulted Chen in the Central District of Hong Kong.[23] The two teenagers mocked Chen with dance moves outside a record store.[24] Immediately following the dance taunt, both of the teenagers punched Chen.[24] Upon doing so the two teenagers fled the scene, and Chen gave chase. Chen eventually caught up to the two individuals as they were trying to board a bus. They were turned over to Hong Kong Police. As a result of the incident, Chen reported that he sprained his ankle and that his cheekbone and ear were also injured. Chen declined to press charges and the two individuals were released.[24]

Their lives would be ruined if I pressed charges. Their mother asked me to forgive them. I went to the hospital and got checked out and since it's just bruises, I decided to let it go.

— Edison Chen[25]

2007 taxi incident

Chen drove to his home after midnight 9 March 2007. The gate was blocked by a Toyota Crown Comfort taxi that had just dropped off its passengers. The taxi driver then signaled Chen to move away so he could pull out, clearing the way for Chen to enter. Chen's security guard told the taxi driver to pull over so that Chen could pass. The taxi driver insulted the security guard. Chen proceeded to have an argument with the taxi driver. Despite the presence of the security guard and other witnesses, he got out of his car and kicked the taxi several times, denting it and breaking all its windows. He was subsequently charged by the police. On the basis of these charges he was convicted and placed on a one-year good behavior bond. He was also fined; the taxi company was granted HK$4,700 in compensation for the damage inflicted to the car.[26]

2008 photo scandal

Main article: Edison Chen photo scandal

In January 2008, Chen was involved in a widely publicised sex scandal when sexually explicit nude photographs of himself taken four years earlier became widely circulated on the Internet. Chen was never accused of uploading the photos himself and a computer technician was later sentenced for accessing Chen's computer during a repair.[27] Celebrities implicated in the scandal included 8 victims: Cecilia Cheung, Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan, Candice Chan (陈思慧), Vincy Yeung (杨永晴), Mandy Chen (陈育嬬) and Rachel Ngan (颜颖思). Nude photos of Edison's ex-girlfriend, Vincy Yeung, were also made public and the future of their relationship was the subject of intense media gossip.

Hong Kong police have stated that they confiscated a collection of sex-related photos that involve six other identifiable females and other unidentifiable males.

Initially the authenticity of the photos was denied, and digital manipulation was used as the primary explanation for the pictures. However, Hong Kong police and Photoshop experts argued that the photos were in fact real and not digitally altered. This brought about a serious reaction towards all parties involved in the scandal. As a result, Chen made a public apology in English to the Hong Kong people and the women involved and indirectly admitted his role and expressed remorse and subsequently announced his indefinite departure from the Hong Kong entertainment industry at a press conference.[4][28]

Due to the scandal, the Google search engine rankings for 2008 resulted in Chen's Chinese name being the number 1 search term in China, and number 3 in Taiwan.[29] Chen was runner-up to US president-elect Barack Obama in the Hong Kong Person of 2008 poll by government-run RTHK radio, with just under 30 percent of votes in the Person of the Year.[30] On 1 June 2009, Chen spoke openly about the sex photo scandal for the first time since the scandal broke in an interview with TalkAsia on CNN.[31] In the interview he reveals his side of the scandal and how he endured criticisms from the public, the media, and from the individuals affected by the case.

2011 photo scandal

Three years later, Chen was involved in another photo scandal, this time with a 16-year-old Hong Kong model Cammi Tse. Their relationship was revealed after photos of them together hugging and kissing each other were leaked online and later, the 16-year-old model stated that her phone was lost. It was later revealed that Chen had sent text messages to Tse, asking her to pose for him in swimsuits and school uniforms. Tse confirmed that there were no nude photos.[32] Tse reported that she lost her virginity to Chen and adding on that he filmed a two-minute video of her in the bedroom and he also bought sexy lingerie for her.[33]

Personal life

In 2015, Chen began dating Chinese model and actress Qin Shupei. In August 2017, Chen confirmed the birth of his daughter, Alaia.[34]

As of 2021, Chen currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife and daughter.[35]

Discography

Year album Label Notes
30 November 2000 Edison Chen (EP)
陳冠希 		EEG Cantonese EP
11 May 2001 Fast and Furious EEG Cantonese album
5 June 2001 Visual Diary EEG Cantonese album
21 August 2001 Ultraman Gaia
超人佳亞 		EEG Cantonese EP
2 November 2001 Ed Is On EEG Mandarin album
20 December 2001 Peace and Love EEG Cantonese album
3 July 2002 Break Through EEG Cantonese album
29 August 2002 Transition EEG Mandarin album
13 February 2003 Hits or Misses EEG Cantonese compilation
26 February 2004 Please Steal This Album EEG Cantonese album
4 January 2005 Hazy: The 144 Hour Project EEG Cantonese album
21 December 2005 The Best Collection EEG Cantonese compilation
12 May 2006 69FM Mixtape – Cantonese mixtape
15 June 2007 (Version 1)
10 August 2007 (Version 2) 		Let Me Re-Introduce Myself
讓我再次介紹我自己 		Clot Media Division Mandarin album
28 December 2010 CONFUSION Clot Media Division Mandarin/Cantonese album
27 July 2012 3 Corners 三角度 East Asia Music Cantonese collaboration album with MC Yan and Chef
20 September 2013 Super Brothers East Asia Music Mandarin collaboration album with MC HotDog
15 August 2015 3 Corners II 三角度(二) Clot Media Division Cantonese collaboration album with MC Yan and Chef
29 September 2017 This Little Monkey: Part 2 一只猴子 第二部曲 Clot Media Division Mandarin EP
11 January 2018 This Little Monkey: Part 1 一只猴子 第一部曲 Clot Media Division Mandarin album
15 August 2018 This Little Monkey: Part 3 一只猴子 第三部曲 Clot Media Division Mandarin album

Filmography

Films

Voiceovers

  • 2001 – Cats & Dogs (貓狗鬥一番) (Voice only, Cantonese version)
  • 2007 – Shrek the Third (史力加之咁就三世) (Voice only, Cantonese version)
  • 2012 – Sleeping Dogs (香港秘密警察)

TV series

[36] [37]

Awards

Film and TV Awards

  • 2001 – 20th Hong Kong Film Awards – Nominee – Best New Performer for Gen-Y Cops
  • 2003 – China Fashion Awards – Winner – Character Figure
  • 2003 – Star Fighter Super Festival – Creative Breakthrough Actor Award (winner)
  • 2004 – China Fashion Awards – Winner – Asia Breakthrough Artist

Music Awards

2000–2001

2002

  • 2002 – Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards – Winner – Favorite Online Song – I never told you (bronze)
  • 2002 – RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards – Winner – Best Song
  • 2002 – CMA Chinese Music Awards – Winner – Favorite New Singer
  • 2002 – Top Chinese Music Awards – Winner – Outstanding New Singer
  • 2002 – Music Pioneer Chart Awards – Winner – Favorite Singer
  • 2002 – TVB8 Mandarin Music Awards – Winner – Best Song

2003

  • 2003 – MusicRadio China TOP Ranking Chart – Winner – Gold Song
  • 2003 – Metro Radio Hits Music Awards Presentation – Best Original Song – Number Nine
  • 2003 – Guoyuli Awards Ceremony – Best Singer
  • 2003 – Guoyuli Awards Ceremony – Best Song – "I Never Told You"

2004

2005

  • 2005 – 5th Chinese Music Media Awards Best Hip Hop artist (winner)

2006

  • 2006 – 6th Chinese Music Media Awards Best Hip Hop artist (winner)

2011

  • 2011 – Golden Melody Awards – Nominee – Best Music Video – Mr. Sandman

Special Awards

  • 2000 – East TOUCH magazine – Sportsman cable female election (nomination)
  • 2000 – East TOUCH magazine Best newcomer (winner)
  • 2007 – BQ Celebrity Score Awards – Nominee – Best Fashion Artist
  • 2007 – Sina "2007 Guangdong Ten Network Entertainment festival" Best Fashion Music Artists (winner)
  • 2011 – MTV Super Festival Annual Trend of Most Style Artist Award (winner)

References

  1. ^ "Actor-entrepreneur Edison Chen snaps up a newly built home in Larchmont". Los Angeles Times. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  2. ^ "CLOT - Bridging the East and the West". Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  3. ^ Hong Kong's Edison Chen to quit after nude photo scandal, Reuters news, 21 February 2008
  4. ^ a b South China Morning Post video "Sorry Edison bows out". YouTube. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  5. ^ "Quotes of the Day". Time. 28 October 2002. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  6. ^ Fagela, Cleo (8 October 2014). "Did Edison Chen's Father Bring New Boyfriend to Family Dinner?". Chinatopix. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  7. ^ A Star is Formed article mention his sister is 1/8 Portuguese.. Time magazine. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  8. ^ "Archived copy". www.hongkonggay.info. Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ Edison chen : Honey coming 3/6, archived from the original on 19 December 2021, retrieved 28 March 2021
  10. ^ "Edison Chen Interview: Almost Perfect – Asians on Film". Asians on Film. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  11. ^ Cbc.ca. "Cbc.ca." Vancouver-born actor Edison Chen apologize for taking sex photos. Retrieved on 21 February 2008.
  12. ^ wxpiero (14 February 2008), Cecilia &Edison's 2000 subway ad张柏芝陈冠希千嬉年地铁广告, archived from the original on 19 December 2021, retrieved 15 August 2017
  13. ^ a b South China morning post. "SCMP Archived 7 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine." Icon Chen., 12 February 2008, Original date: 6 February 2001. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  14. ^ Chang, Jeff (11 October 2006). "Movies, hip-hop, fashion design – Edison Chen is an impresario for a new Pacific Rim". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  15. ^ Initial D 2, starring Jay Chou and Edison Chen, is coming soon Archived 5 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Asiapacificarts.usc.edu.
  16. ^ 段亚英. "Edison Chen back filming after sex scandal – China.org.cn". china.org.cn. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  17. ^ a b South China morning post. "SCMP Archived 23 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine." A hip crop., 12 February 2008, Original date: 17 December 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  18. ^ "Edison Chen Interview". BEINGHUNTED Online Magazine. Retrieved 20 July 2006.
  19. ^ "CLOT Information". Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  20. ^ Chinadaily.com. "Chinadaily.com." Edison Chen promotes toy for charity, 25 May 2007, Original date: 6 February 2001. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  21. ^ How Video Game Roles Are Helping a Disgraced Star's Comeback. Kotaku.com.
  22. ^ "Lucy Liu, Emma Stone, Tom Wilkinson, more cast in Sleeping Dogs". VG247. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  23. ^ Hong Kong pop star hurt in fight. BBC News (16 March 2004).
  24. ^ a b c HK pop star Edison Chen punched by youngsters. China Daily. (18 March 2004).
  25. ^ "HK pop star Edison Chen punched by youngsters". Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  26. ^ HKstandard. "HKstandard Archived 23 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine." Singer bound over for kicking taxi. Retrieved on 24 February 2008.
  27. ^ "Tech jailed for stealing sex-with-starlet photos". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May 2009.
  28. ^ "Hong Kong's Edison Chen quits after sex scandal". Reuters. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  29. ^ Google Zeitgeist. "Google.com." 2008 Year-End Zeitgeist Around the World. Retrieved on 13 December 2008.
  30. ^ Sex-scandal 2nd in Hong Kong Archived 25 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine, News 24, 2 January 2009
  31. ^ "Talkasia Exclusive interview: Edison Chen breaks his silence". CNN. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
  32. ^ "Edison Chen Has a Schoolgirl Fetish; Cammi Tse: "I Did Not Have Sex With Him!"". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  33. ^ "Cammi Tse: "I Gave My Virginity to Edison Chen and Filmed an Erotic Video!"". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  34. ^ "Edison Chen reveals baby daughter to the world – 88news". 88news. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  35. ^ The Life and Sex Scandal of Chinese Star and Streetwear Icon Edison Chen (Part 3/3), archived from the original on 19 December 2021, retrieved 28 March 2021
  36. ^ "Edison Chen Koon-Hei". hkmdb.com. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  37. ^ "⓿⓿ Edison Chen - Actor - Hong Kong - Filmography - TV Drama Series - Chinese Movies". act.chinesemov.com. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
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