Edison Chen, once celebrated as one of Hong Kong’s most charismatic “bad boys”, made headlines on October 18 after a viral video captured him in a highly agitated state at a hotel, reportedly threatening a staff member.
The clip quickly became a trending topic on Weibo, attracting attention and concern from fans and netizens alike.
Eyewitnesses described the former actor as visibly furious, shouting and aggressively pointing at hotel staff. “His behavior was extremely unusual and worrying. At one point, people thought about calling the police,” a source said.
Netizens have speculated whether substance use may have contributed to his erratic behavior, pointing out that this incident follows a series of public altercations in recent months, including disputes at airports and on international flights.
Born in 1980, Edison Chen was once considered a Hong Kong heartthrob. With his striking looks and carefree “bad boy” persona, he stood out among his peers and became a fashion icon, earning the title of one of the 10 most beautiful young stars in Hong Kong.
However, his career came to a sudden halt in 2008, when a huge scandal erupted involving over 1,300 leaked private photos and videos featuring several high-profile actresses, including Gillian Chung and Cecilia Cheung. The leaks devastated the actresses’ careers and tarnished Edison Chen’s public image, prompting him to leave the entertainment industry indefinitely.
Although he attempted a brief comeback in 2010, his efforts were largely unsuccessful. Today, Edison Chen leads a more private life with his family, married to Victoria’s Secret model Qin Shupei and focusing on fashion business ventures. Nonetheless, his recent public outburst has reignited discussions about his controversial past and unpredictable behavior, reminding the public of the tumultuous journey of a former C-biz heartthrob.
Sources: Sina, Sohu, 163
