A Hong Kong actor has been slammed by netizens after he posted photos of himself and his daughter kissing at her 15th birthday party to Chinese social network Weibo.
TVB actor Joseph Lee, 62, recently celebrated his daughter Cherie’s birthday at a restaurant in Macau among family and friends. Photos of the event shared by Lee last Friday were promptly met by backlash from Weibo users.
Hundreds of comments were posted on Lee’s Weibo page, with most people expressing their disgust at the father-daughter affection. One person said Lee was “taking advantage” of Cherie, while another said “parents shouldn’t be this intimate with their children at this age, whether they’re sons or daughters”. Many were simply confused as to why the pair didn’t go for a peck on the cheek.
The actor is featured in a collection of local dramas as well as a few films, usually playing father figures and villainous antagonists.
Lee told Oriental Daily that Cherie initiated the kiss, and that he and his daughter have long “communicated” with each other this way. “When my daughter was about to blow the candle, she wanted a kiss, what could I do?” he said.
According to Lee, Cherie was “fine” about the blowback. “I told her that everyone has a different point of view and if they express negativity towards us, we have to maintain a positive attitude.”
Writing on her own Weibo page, Cherie said, “I’m very disappointed. We merely wanted to share this beautiful moment with everyone and had no ill intention. We didn’t ask for anyone’s blessing but we also didn’t expect to be so reviled. […] What I see as an act of paternal love from a father to his daughter, you see as incest. I think it’s really ridiculous that a family kiss has been distorted by your words into something base and vulgar.”
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