Benny Chan: “My Wife Forgave Me For Sexual Harassment!” Joe Ma Donates Money to Improve Karma
Several days ago, 19-year-old Rose Chan (陳嘉桓) was forcibly kissed and touched inappropriately by veteran actors, Benny Chan (陳浩民) and Joe Ma (馬德鐘)at a restaurant in Hengdian, China. The news shocked the entire city of Hong Kong! Yesterday, Rose was summoned back to Hong Kong immediately, appearing tearfully at a press conference and filed a police report over the sexual harassment incident. Benny Chan flew back to Hong Kong with his pregnant wife, while Joe Ma donated money to charity to extricate himself from the incident!
Yesterday, Benny and his pregnant wife, Lisa, returned to Hong Kong in a low-profile manner to await the impending birth of their baby. To avoid the paparazzi, Benny and Lisa flew from Hangzhou to Shenzhen and then took a car ride back to their Hong Kong apartment. The trip was extremely long and uncomfortable for the pregnant Lisa.
Benny’s original plan was to return to Hong Kong after filming his mainland series, spending between 7 to 10 days to accompany Lisa during the birth of their baby. Unfortunately, the scandal of Benny’s sexual harassment over Rose Chan broke, which did not allow Lisa to await the baby’s arrival peacefully. Last night, a large group of reporters awaited Benny outside his apartment in Hong Kong, but he did not make an appearance.
Benny Chan Already Forgiven by His Wife
Benny’s manager, Charlie Lam (林查理), spoke to the Oriental Daily, “I forbid Benny from leaving his apartment. He needs to reflect upon his actions.” (How did Lisa react to Benny kissing and groping Rose Chan?) “Of course, Lisa blamed Benny for causing a ruckus after drinking, but she realized that he did not intentionally take advantage of Rose. Thus, Lisa forgave Benny.” Charlie explained that Benny felt unhappy and agreed to reflect deeply upon the incident.
In an interview with I-Cable, Charlie said, “Benny is to blame, but he did not intentionally take advantage of Rose Chan. After Sin Kwok Lam (冼國林) and Rose calm down, Benny will personally apologize to them.” In an interview in Shanghai with the mainland media, Benny expressed that despite his hectic work schedule, he must find the time to exercise to continue his healthy image.
Joe Ma Criticized Heavily by the Public
On the other hand, Joe Ma attempted to extricate himself from Rose Chan’s harassment incident. In the early AM hours yesterday, Joe drew clear lines from his good friend, Benny Chan, on his blog. Joe wrote, “The incident the other night may be attributed to Benny’s misconduct after drinking too much alcohol. I also regret that I did not stop the harassment immediately. My method of consoling Rose Chan also caused misunderstanding. In this respect, I need to apologize to Rose. I have already explained this matter to Rose and Sin Kwok Lam and have received their understanding.”
One minute later, Joe Ma left another message on his blog, expressing his intention to donate money to charity to “resolve” the situation. Joe wrote, “Due to the public unrest aroused as a result of this incident, I am ready to follow Sin Kwok Lam’s benevolent and charitable actions. I will donate funds to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and give back to the community and benefit society.” Joe’s message regarding charitable donations aroused an extreme backlash from the entertainment industry. At noon time, Joe rushed to delete the critical comments.
At 4 PM yesterday, Virginia Lok’s (樂易玲)plane arrived at the Hong Kong airport. Asked if she had learned about Joe Ma’s involvement in sexually harassing Rose Chan, Ms. Lok said, “Recently, I have been busy organizing the upcoming Miss China International pageant and did not learn of the incident until I read the newspapers on the plane.” Ms. Lok indicated that she will contact Joe Ma later to understand the situation further.
Source: Orientaldaily.on.cc
Jayne: To express their sincerity, I think Benny and Joe should appear in a televised interview and apologize to Rose, their wives, and the public for their unscrupulous behavior. Benny hiding behind his manager and Joe hiding behind his blog do not make them sound sincere in their apologies.
Jayne, thanks for the updates! I agree that they should both appear in front of real live reporters..that was the question I kept asking as in how long can they hide?
Benny Chan looks really middle-aged now..but then I haven’t seen his photos in a long time!
Minami,
What had happened had already occurred. Benny and Joe’s inappropriate kissing and groping already did the damage. The cheating in spirit and action against their wives had already occurred.
However, I think the involved parties just want some accountability and sincerity in the aftermath. Joe’s blog messages have been heavily criticized because they do not have a sincere ring. Joe pointing fingers towards Benny as the prime perpetrator does not help things.
Benny’s continual dismisal in his blog messages seem to brush off the harassment incident as if he was only having fun, but people were taking it too seriously. Although Benny apologized for the hurt that his actions may have caused, he does not seem to truly apologize that his behavior is questionable in intent and from an ethical standpoint. In addition, Benny’s manager noted that he did not allow Benny to come out and asked him to deeply reflect on the incident. So Benny did not truly regret his actions and wish to reflect out of self-will?
Again, the public outlash is not only the fact that these married men carried on as if harassment and flirtatious behavior with women were a normal occurrence. I think people’s criticism and backlash would fade if these men just stepped out to explain what had occurred in a more sincere way, rather than make excuses:
1. Benny: “I was drunk” but “I drove home on my motorcycle” on the night of the harassment
2. Benny: “I apologize” but “I was only playing” and will only apologize to Rose Chan after she calms down
3. Joe: “I apologize to Rose” but “I was only touching her to console her”
4. Joe: “I apologize” but “It was really Benny’s drunken misconduct that led to harassment”
You see the pattern. They “apologize” but they continue to make excuses and their statements do not put them in a truly accountable position. No mention of Joe and Benny saying, “I apologize to my wife for cheating on her. I violated the sanctity of marriage.” They are avoiding the crux of the issue, which is disrespect in their marriage and disrespect towards women, by touching Rose improperly.
so when he claims that he ‘did not intentionally take advantage of Rose Chan’ means that he will just grope anything alive when he is crazy drunk? What a dumb excuse.
both their “apologises” sound so insincere.
“my wife forgives me.”
you prick. she’s about to give birth what can she do right now.
i really doubt this is the first time either one of them has done this.
just that they got caught in the act this time.
LOL! This is what I was thinking too. She’s preggo with him, so there is not much she can do.
ROFL agree too.
She should have used to his behaviour. Benny has been known as player for a long time now. He needs a well-tolerated wife, I think that was why he chose her.
Jayne, it doesn’t work that way. That is not an apology. I feel if they are sincere they should have called for press conference and just apologise rather than let it escalate. The interview can come later, much later. It is not a publicity event. As for Benny’s wife, what is she expected to do? I mean heavily pregnant, probably financially dependent on him, what more could she have done?
Funn,
” I feel if they are sincere they should have called for press conference and just apologise rather than let it escalate.The interview can come later, much later. It is not a publicity event.”
It appears that Joe and Benny are afraid to face the public full-frontal. Thus I suggested an interview so that they do not have to face the brutal treatment from the press, but the interview will serve as a method to address the public openly. They can apologize to Rose and their wives and family in the interview. Of course the press conference is the most direct and sincere method. They can always make their statements and not allow any questions to be asked.
It sounds like Benny is pissed off that his actions were found out, tried to dismiss it then couldn’t do so due to the photos and was reluctantly ‘apologising’ if you can call that an apology, since he did not just say I’m sorry, I should not have done it.
He sounds more like “Oh ok, I guess I will apologise since you guys are making such a big fuss..but oh by the way it was not intentional since I’m such a friendly/ playful/ etc wtf guy by nature so actually this is really not a big deal, and because of this, my daily routine/ life has been compromised by this girl calling me out (or rather the photos did)..thanks very much..later!!”
He sure curses Rose and her sifu from the inside LOL, what he’s trying to do now is to protect his image.
I don’t know why but in my own opinion, I don’t think rose is all innocent the public and press had written her to be. To me,she seem to be faking as the victim. If she didn’t tempt the guys, i don’t think they would’ve done what they have done. To me, she has a history of that kind of behavior, like with Raymond Lam. I don’t know, but this is my opinion. Don’t be offended.
I think so too
yet again, if those two (JOE & BENNY) have not acted in a way tempting Rose to behave “loosely” (so cliamed by you), Rose wouldnt have acted such! Its the chicken & egg story. the bottom line is : BEHAVE LIKE A HUMAN! CONTROL OVER YOUR MIND! The moment you have gone against a woman’s will, its assault! be it that the woman is naked standing in front of you! You couldnt have just avoided it and told the girl – ITS INAPPROPRIATE TO BAHEAVE SUCH! and not just TAKE A RIDE on her and thereafter, blamed her for seducing him!
Agree with you on this ^^
Jiao, to some extent, I share your view. Better tell cutie LF get away from Rose mui mui if he dun want another bed photo headlines LOL
what happened with Raymond Lam? I just thought that there were rumours she was his gf …and that’s it?
Rose is rumoured to be his gf and is the third party in the relationship with LF and PSS. However, before the images of LF and PSS are revealed and became a scandal, Rose has been said to create the rumour of her and LF herself. It’s how her name first came to the audience.
I bet Benny is surprised at the public reaction. He’s probably thinking “how could someone like me, who has been in the industry so much longer and much more famous that this newbie teenager, receive so much condemnation…other people do this too and it happens all the time!” –is what he might be thinking.
Well, Benny, just because it happens back stage all the time doesn’t mean that people condone such bad behavior.
Joe is so calculating and Timmy is probably thinking, “ugh…those two got me in trouble!”
@jliao: I don’t think Rose is trying to tempt the guys with her make-up less face, messy hair, and oversized hoodie sweater. If she were to tempt the men, it would not be in a public place where others can cite her for scandalous behavior. In addition, these married men–though they may be an easy target to tempt (haha) should be able to control themselves despite being under the influence–we don’t forget that we’re married.
Besides, if she was being flirtatious, I’m sure one of the men or other celebriteis would have said something by now to protect them.
Can someone that’s under the influence of alcohol actually control themselves? Think about it, of course they can’t. That’s why they behaved that way. I’m not saying its right, but rose should know better. If there’s drunken guys around, I would’ve left the scene. But rose on the hand, didn’t. She went to dinner and then continue to stay with them after that too, like BBQ and karaoke. She should be able tell when a person id drunk or not. I felt that this incident, she brought it onto herself. She can’t blame anyone. Although it’s misconduct for Benny and Joe to behave that way, but it’s not exactly their fault.
someone under the influence of alcohol have to be responsibe because that is not an excuse to get off the hook
@jiao, totally disagree with your opinion. Rose did not bring this incident upon her. Misconduct should never ever be excused on them being drunk, ever. The perpetrator(s) should be punished for molestation of another.
Did the men or Rose say the men were drunk? Or was its the reporter who said that? Can’t remember but I remember the men saying they had had a bit of drink but not to the point of being inebriated. BC could still drive home and Joe said his mental clarity.
@jiao
okay, stop being subjective, she couldve left like what you said. but no one will no the future, she doesnt know that they will harass her. when she said in one of the article, benny and joe are her seniors and she look up to them, so this means that rose didnt think that they would violate her. BTW, we dont even know how their personality is to judge them(bc an jm). we all thought that joe was righteous and a nice person, at least i did, but turns out to be the other way. and just because they are drunk, doesnt mean that they cant be responsible for their actions.
*know
@jliao, well you didn’t really start out offensive but is has escalated into the fact that you believe the woman is wrong here. I am a supporter of taking care of one self, but these men were WRONG. They LIED, they TOOK GROPED A YOUNG WOMAN, and then they ATTEMPTED TO ALLEVIATE RESPONSIBILITY BY IMPLYING THAT SHE MISUNDERSTOOD THEIR ADVANCES because they were DRUNK–which turnED out to be A LIE. These are facts, other points are assumptions.
I can see that while you do not condone the behaviors of the adult married men who are supposed to be role models, however, you are placing most of the blame on the teenaged female. How much clout does she have against them to decide when she can leave the company of her seniors in the industry–it may look discourteous.
Being drunk is not a get out of jail free card. In the eyes of the law, an individual is still responsible for the consequences of their actions.
Well, Benny was under influence of alcohol and drove home on his motorcycle, he didn’t remember last night but “under influence of alcohol” he could find his home? Btw getting drunk and driving is a no no! If he wants to die, be my guest but he shouldn’t get on his motorcycle while he was drunk, putting other people lives in danger on the road, I’m sure he could afford a taxi.Both men had a history and it wouldn’t suprise me that even the press knows about it and trapped them haha They both are adult and knew exactly what they were doing, so be a man and take your responsibility instead of blaming or hiding yourself as a chicken! It already shows what kind of people these two are!
Hmm 2 men over the age of fourty … well they can blame it on their peno-pause?
We are only outsiders, only them know exactly what happened. I don’t see this as anyone’s fault coz whatever, Benny and Joe deserve what they got.
This is extremely hilarious. Everyone wake up, rose is just trying to get publicity from this issue. Benny and Joe were drunk, they don’t remember anything from that night because its normal for people to blank out from alcohol, according to a scientific standpoint. Another reason why you people keep saying they’re lying. And also, rose bought it o to herself. Who in their right mind wants to put themselves in a dangerous position, around drunken guys. Also there were pictures; in my opinion, rose could’ve had cameras there to take pictures of her”as the victim” and use it against them. Why were there cameras there in the first place? Someone must’ve told them about it. Bottom line: rose is just trying to gain publicity, just like how she did with LF, which failed because it didn’t get her much headline, unlike this incident.
It still bothers me that Benny continues to hide behind the drink. As if that makes it all right.
at least this news is not heavily criticize like the edison chen’s scandal.
Has the salty pork hand man ever been exposed? Can anyone clarify? From this incident, my hunch is telling me Joe Ma could be the mysterious salty pork man. So he’s basically disguised as gentlemanly and harasses women when no one’s around? And no women can speak ill of him because of his supposed ‘gentlemanness.’ Really glad this incident exposed him. God, I wonder how many more actors are like him…
http://asianfanatics.net/forum/topic/623699-salty-pork-hand-re-emerges-at-tvb-many-male-artists-are-suspected/
If Joe really was the salty pork hand, I feel really bad for all the flake Ellesmere Choi had. Didnt the actor sort of disappear into obscurity because he wasn’t as popular/didn’t have many speak up for him?
Kingdom Yuen’s important clue: The salty pork hand is TALLer than Bosco. Joe fits the description. I never suspect him before because of his gentleman image but I now am doubting too.
Googled his height bio and yep he’s 5 cm taller than Bosco assuming wiki is right. Lol.
Also searched more info and this 2009 scandal and apparently, Ella also revealed one of her co-stars was harassed on the set of RDOV, which she stars with Joe Ma.
http://asianfanatics.net/forum/topic/625486-ella-koon-exposes-a-true-story-of-an-actress-who-was-harassed/
Someone named llwy12 on the asianfanatics forum also mentioned how Rose’s sifu is getting a ton of phone calls advising him not to make a big deal. This could only mean Joe or Benny are associated with triads, or TVB is influecing their course of action or maybe TVB are using these triads to pressure them.
1. Joe Ma was previously their biological son? I think?
2. Wasn’t TVB having some kind of trouble with actors leaving? Maybe they want to protect Joe Ma to maintain him acting for them?
3. If the scandal blows up any bigger, this could affect their image, hence less investments?
4.This could explain why they didn’t want to blow up Joe’s salty pork incident
@shadowrain604
I don’t think TVB would care about Joe that much to be honest. They’ve barely promoted him and he’s made it clear that he was not going to resign with them. TVB is probably glad that they don’t have to handle this situation now. lol
googled all their heights. Bosco is 180cm. Both Ellesmere and Joe are taller. Ellesmere : 183cm. Joe: 185cm.
Joe is obviously taller than Bosco and maybe the tallest in TVB. Im not sure aboutEllesmere height but the news make it sounds like hes the salt pork since hes the one who called to the manafement office and disappeared later
A Mr. HK named Rocky (not sure) is the tallest. 1.94m.
I think it was pretty much confirmed that it was Ellesmere Choi because there were pictures of him going to talk to executives at TVB and then he was never seen again.
Also, Ella could’ve been talking about Ellesmere since he was in RDOV as well.
The salty pork hand, stamp collector, Mr. X, badmouth actress, all are witch hunter. Maybe true, maybe not.
I will not see any movies or tv series with Benny Chan in them for at least 6 years and this incidence have vindicate my action and my distaste of him. Now I have to add Joe Ma in my list as I despise these type of people .
Dont these people have intelligent P/R or a P/A to handle this mess better?
Dumbasses.
I think it was all a joke gone overboard. i know hk guys love to make sick jokes on girls… but they should know who they can joke around with and who they should not! i agree that Rose enjoys the attention…i don’t blame her. it is the men fault in the end.
Joe isnt with TVB anymore and 620 still planning ti help him?
Maybe he told her he’ll come back :P.
620 sure has the heart for her artists LOL. Know who says she treats her artist badly LOL
I’ve not seen Benny Chan in ages, he has aged!
Seriously I dont think Rose Chan is all that innocent in this incident.
Maybe this event was staged by Rose Chan ,who know,remember she a actress ,Rose Chan use it as stunt ,Rose look like cheap girl in this event.
You’re on Benny’s side???
@kidd: 100% agree with you.
I was wondering where’s rose chan PA or her assistant ,i mean they’s few friends are setting in front ,y don’t they say anything about it with press ,its just make me feel like rose chan
already know someone r taking her pic with thous guys or she want this to happen so she can be more fame by this scandal,or my be she saw thous horror picture of her with the guys n she only 19 , than she need to take action cos this will damage her career n her good girl image, i mean without the picture i don’t thing she will do any of this stupid incident story , seriously for me all this are scam , thous guys r idiots n no class actually .
What the guys did were irreversibly wrong. They obviously didn’t treat her as a sister like what they had said before (brother-sister relationship). That Rose Chan might be bringing this to herself, I don’t think so, because no woman wants to be treated that way. What is wrong, is wrong. There’s no need to make excuses.
The battle develops in a very typical way. However from the beginning, the winners have always been Rose Chan and her sifu. Rose sure is friend with scandals, and she always end up the innocent victim who possesses healthy image. This girl will have a long future.
I’ll cross my hand and watch how Benny and Joe trying their best to gain sympathy to come back. It will take times, LOL.
they are so immature. feel sorry for their wives to take care of these little rascals. entertainment circle people are full of bs.
Benny Chan really looks rough amongst other things…how fitting of the reporter for this article to pick this photo of the both of them showing a thumbs-up! (complete with victorious? smirks on their faces) – good detail by the reporter I feel.
Sounds like more ppl are thinking Rose is not as ‘innocent’ as she is painted out to be…hard to define, what does ‘innocence’ exactly mean in this day and age. It is however very clear that married men should not have been groping/ kissing/ force-kissing women outside of the marriage…even with a willing participant what more an apparent unwilling one so I think no matter how you spin this…Benny and Joe did commit a definite mistake since they are both MARRIED, imo.
I actually hope/think their press conference looks like Gillian’s after Edison Gate b/c then the press con will actually do more damage vs. saving their image.
Both Joe and Benny were wrong…actors or not, if a person can not act responsibly when indulging in liquor, then don’t drink. If you drink and drive and get caught, accept the consequences. Oh Benny, so what if your wife forgives you, it wasn’t your wife who was sexually harassed. Idiot Joe, do you think that donating money to a “good” cause will exonerate you from your predatory sexual behavior? I don’t think so. In conclusion, you two are getting to be in Edison’s league very soon! If you did the crime, do the time…
We Americans (well, at least my friends and I) find this absolutely hilarious. Well, not sexual harassment or sexual assault, but that people think that it’s their business. This is between Benny, Joe, their wives and Rose. My life was not affected in the least, nor is the economy, the environment, crime rates, etc. I do not need a public apology, press conference, etc to make my life complete since I was not the victim.