[SYMPATHY: The panel (from left) Huang Wenhong, Maia Lee, Katalina Jiang and Sarah Yang watching Edison talking to CNN about the sex photo scandal. TNP Picture: Mohd Ishak]

By Gan Ling Kai

HE says he's also a victim in the sex photo scandal, but would viewers agree with Edison Chen?

Last night, The New Paper invited four people to watch the CNN interview - and they all emphathised with him.

However, their sympathy was measured out in varying degrees.

Customer service officer Katalina Jiang, 21, who's a big Edison fan, said: 'I feel he's the biggest victim because the girls are all blaming others.

'He, on the other hand, keeps blaming himself. So I think he must have felt the worst. Emotionally, he faces the most stress. Everyone, including those girls, says he's wrong.'

Careless

Her colleague, Miss Sarah Yang, 21, agreed, saying the only wrong thing he did was being careless with his computer.

Mr Huang Wenhong, 36, director of programming for Radio 100.3 FM, agreed that Edison did not spread the photos on purpose.

He added: 'However, society still has a particular perspective. Edison has to say that all these (taking sex photos) were done when he's wild and young.

'He can't arrogantly say 'all these are my own business'. Everyone ultimately has to bow to social norms.'

Even celebrity blogger Maia Lee, 26, who had chided that 'anyone with half a brain would know that such a computer shouldn't be sent for repair', felt Edison was a victim.

She said: 'At first, I thought he was in the wrong. I'm kind of against him. But after watching the interview, it seems that he deserves a little of my sympathy.'

But she was quick to add: 'Don't forget, he's an actor. And he had so much time and resources to consult people to guide him on what to say. Obviously, he had help on that, so I'm still not forgiving him.'

The four viewers agreed that Edison was smart to go on CNN.

Mr Huang said: 'It is obviously more high-class than appearing on i-Cable (Hong Kong's TV station which interviewed Cecilia Cheung) and TVB's Be My Guest (which interviewed Gillian Chung).

'CNN conveys an international perspective. And the incident becomes a (news) event, no longer a scandal.'

He also said Edison's choice of timing to open up is excellent for his career comeback.

'If you say that Cecilia is brilliant to be the first to be interviewed, then so is Edison for being the last.

'Moreover, Cecilia has also come out to say she has forgiven him. If even a hurt married woman with a child can forgive him, what else can others say?'

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SEX PHOTO SCANDAL

JAN 2008: Photos of Edison Chen and Cecilia Chung appear on Internet, followed by more of the actor and other starlets like Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan.

4 FEB: Computer technician Dicky Sze Ho Chun arrested. He had copied photos from Edison's laptop when it was sent for repair in 2006.

21 FEB: Edison announces he'll quit Hong Kong showbiz, goes into self-exile.

12 FEB, 2009: Sze charged in HK with 3counts of obtaining access to a computer with illegal intent.

23 FEB: Edison tells hearing in Vancouver that pictures 'never meant for anyone else to see'. He confirms women's identities.

27 FEB: Cecilia opens up for the first time on i-Cable TV, calls Edison a liar. Edison makes first official media appearance since self-exile, launches Carl's Jr.'s new burger in S'pore.

4 MAR: i-Cable TV cans second part of Cecilia's interview 'to protect' her. HK media speculate she plans to sue Edison for $2m.

7 MAR: On TVB's Be My Guest, Gillian says Edison had been stringing her along for years. She allowed him to take photos as she didn't want to lose him.

11-12 MAR: Bullet sent to i-Cable TV with a letter, warning Edison to quit showbiz. Similar package sent to Apple Daily next day.

5 APR: Edison ignores deadline, promotes film The Sniper in S'pore. About 30 guards deployed for actor's safety.

13 MAY: HK court sentences Sze to 8 1/2 months jail.

27 MAY: Edison returns to HK for meetings for his fashion business.