0		Sex, scandal, apologies:, Edison, Chen, admits, and, retires

To err is human, to forgive is divine.

Edison Chen is taking some time away from the spotlight of the Hong Kong entertainment industry while admitting in public that he took the photos himself.

"I admit most of the photos being circulated on the internet were taken by me."

I guess almost everyone in Hong Kong (and those closely following the industry)is aware that he is the center of the controversy involving sexually explicit photos with Gillian Chung, Cecilia Cheung and Bobo Chan. If at least one of the women admitted, then who is Edison to deny such allegations.

It cost Cecilia her marriage to Nicolas Tse, Bobo Chan's planned wedding and some of Gillian Chung's teen appeal.

Now, Edison would have to forgo his entertainment career to do a "searching of his soul". It could have been lost in limbo even before the photos were circulated in the Internet.

"I will wholeheartedly fulfill all commitments that I have to take, but after that I'll step away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry. I've decided to do this to give myself an opportunity to heal myself and to search my soul.

"I'll dedicate my time to charity and community work within the next few months. I'll be away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry indefinitely. There's no timeframe."

It is interesting to view the public reaction to his recent statements. In a survey conducted by Sina, 30% of respondents said he was "sincere and has guts to make such statement", another 30% said he was "pretending to be miserable to gain sympathy", 21% said they will forgive him and continue their support, 9% said he is quitting HK show business to establish himself in Hollywood and 6% said he should be blamed and should not be forgiven. (4000 votes and 3 hours after he released the statement.)

We all make mistakes, if we ask for forgiveness we hope we'll be forgiven and that same thing applies to Edison Chen. Only if he is sincere in his remarks.