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Chapman To denies early retirement over boycott issues

Chapman To denies early retirement over boycott issues

28 May – Hong Kong actor Chapman To recently denied rumours saying that he has decided to retire from the movie business, following a serious boycott from mainland audiences.

According to Mingpao, Chapman had written a column in a newspaper which sounded like him saying goodbye to showbiz. The piece added that he had to go overseas due to personal matters.

Readers quickly assumed that the actor had decided to retire from showbiz due to the mess he made previously, when he refused to apologise to mainland fans for his anti Cross-Strait Trade Agreement statement and even made fun of those who express their dislike of his attitude.

His action did not only affect his movie, "Let Go For Love", a joint production starring stars from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, but also Pang Ho-Cheung's "Aberdeen", which Chapman made a cameo appearance in.

Even stars who are acquainted with him have been harassed by his haters, from his wife Kristal Tin to Louis Koo and even China's own beloved Wen Zhang.

However, Chapman denied rumours of his retirement, saying that he only said goodbye to the column as he would not be able to write it during his one-month break. He also denied that his hiatus has anything to do with the boycott.

"I have been in this business for several decades. If I don't make movies, what else can I do? I have to entertain viewers. Why would I retire just because of some negative news?" said Chapman also jokingly adding, "Do I look like DaDa [Chen]?"

As to his overseas vacation, Chapman said that he will be going to the U.S. with his wife, Kristal Tin and that it has been an annual ritual for him.

"Every June, I would go to the U.S. for a month. My mentor has a Buddhist school in the U.S. so I would go and meditate and listen to lectures. This year would be the sixth year I am doing this. It has nothing to do with the rumours," said Chapman.

Chapman also assured fans that he is fine and that the issue in mainland China has not affected him much.

"I rarely go to mainland China to make movies, so it doesn't change," said the actor, adding that after his holiday he will be working in two films; Chan Hing Ka's new comedy and the Charlene Choi-starrer, "Child Prostitute", in which he plays the producer.