Hong Kong Leslie Cheung Tribute
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-30 14:32

Fans of Hong Kong pop star Leslie Cheung to commemorate anniversary of his suicide.

It's been a year since Hong Kong film and singing legend Leslie Cheung jumped to his death, but his fans still feel the heartache.

Hundreds from as far away as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Canada are coming to Hong Kong for a memorial ceremony on Thursday's anniversary of Cheung's suicide plunge from the 24th floor of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel.

The event's organizers said Cheung's death recalled his role as a disillusioned womanizer in the ``Days of Being Wild (A Fei Zheng Zhuan)" who compared himself to a ``legless bird."

``That evening the bird without leg landed without any warning; maybe he found it too tiring to fly any more," said the organizers, Leslie cheung Cyberworld, on their Web site.

It wasn't the first time Cheung's shocking death was compared to a film role. In the Oscar-nominated ``Farewell My Concubine," Cheung portrayed an opera star who kills himself in the end.

Thursday's commemorations will include a hall of remembrance being set up at the Mandarin Oriental, where fans can watch a documentary video about their idol and attend a candlelight vigil. Cheung, 46, was one of a few Chinese actors who played homosexual roles and had also starred in ``Rouge" and ``Happy Together." Ada Leung, a devoted follower of Cheung for more than 25 years, said she's still struggling with the loss.

``We always think about him," Leung said by telephone, her voice overcome with emotion. ``We feel really heavy-hearted, especially during these few weeks. He was perfect. I hope more people will getto know his artistic achievement."

The head of the Leslie Forever South Korean fan club, Kim Jeong-min, was quoted as telling the South China Morning Post: ``His departure symbolizes the loss of our youthful memories." A likeness of Cheung will be unveiled Wednesday at the local Madame Tussauds wax museum with his longtime companion, Daffy Tong, appearing as guest of honor, museum spokeswoman Catherine Yoe said.

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