HONG KONG (AP) Aug 24, 2006 - The cover of a Hong Kong magazine that shows a photo of a local pop star adjusting her bra while changing backstage has stirred an outcry, with critics denouncing the display as despicable.

The current issue of Easy Finder magazine, shows Gillian Chung of the Hong Kong female pop duo Twins fixing her bra backstage at a concert at the Malaysian entertainment resort of Genting last week. Her breast is not revealed. The second, smaller cover photo shows Chung naked shoulder up. The headline reads, "Ah Kiu releases bra near back window," using Chung's Chinese nickname.

The voyeuristic photo has drawn protests from the government, editorialists, journalists and members of the public who filed hundreds of complaints against the cover to government regulators. Easy Finder didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

The exact situation remains unclear, what’s confirmed is that a hidden pinhole camera was planted in the changing room for TWINS concert in Genting Highland, and pictures were taken of Gillian naked without her knowing it.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association said in a statement the photos violated professional ethics and "seriously" violated personal privacy. "The association believes reporters should respect personal reputation and privacy. They should avoid violating privacy when reporting on a subject's private life without his or her consent," the statement said.

The respected Ming Pao Daily News said in an editorial Thursday the cover "can only be described as dirty and obscene." "These magazines, for the sake of galvanizing readers and spike circulation, have stooped to a level where they use illegitimate means, and anything goes," it wrote.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Joseph Wong was quoted as saying in Ming Pao, "taking photos secretly is always wrong." "The wording in magazines is getting increasingly obscene and gross," Wong told a private gathering with reporters.

Chung's record label EEG is seeking legal advice, it said in a statement.

Hong Kong's in-your-face paparazzi tactics have drawn fire before. Eastweek magazine was shut down amid the backlash after publishing on its cover a photo of a visibly distressed, seminude female star, widely reported to be Carina Lau, in October 2002.

Reactions to Gillian's incident.

(Credits to TaKungPao/SanPa: Translation By Little_Purple_Bell - AsianFanatics )

EEG's executive, Mani Fok, expressed that EEG artistes have always been very careful; the female artistes are also known as 'Tape Queens'. Whenever Twins leave HK to work and live in hotels, they are aware that reporters may be there to dig through their trash, so they even pick up their own trash and take it with them. Two nights ago, Mani received the information that reporters had taken photos of Gillian Chung changing. When she told this information to Gillian, Mani was actually confident that it was impossible because the room provided for changing is supposed to completely closed. Being in GuangZhou filming 'Let's Steal Together', Gillian immediately started crying when seeing the photos. She's afraid that the clip will be posted online because she had nothing on when changing, so she's very worried. Mani expressed that she will get legal advice from lawyers and see if it's necessary to call the police in Malaysia. As for Hong Kong, she will definitely send out a legal warning to the tabloid magazine. Mani also hopes that the public will look at this issue seriously because it could really cause a negative impact on the psychological part of an artiste's life.

Towards the issue of Gillian being filmed of changing, EEG gave a serious claim that they are extremely angry with this way of non-permitted filming because ever since this report came out, it has caused great disturbance and pain to Gillian and her family. Hopefully, this will let the public be aware of how important it is to respect a artiste's privacy. They expressed that they encourage for the media to be aware of an artiste's dignity when given the freedom of reporting. Each person should be stopping these unfair, illegal, and negative actions. EEG is asking for legal advice of HK and Malaysia and is going to take legal actions.

Sun Boy'z expressed that this action is against morality, and the media has gone way overboard. Even being male artistes, they still have to be careful. Like Dennis Mak, he was teased of seeing a bird fly by when he was seen to be wearing boxers. Kenny Kwan was also filmed secretly in Malaysia by the media, he was in the gym of the hotel working out, and the magazine reporting him as 'erecting'. When Steven saw the photos of Kenny, he said, "Woah! Did you stuff a pineapple bun in it or something?! It didn't look like that before!" It made Kenny extremely embarrassed. With Gillian's incident, Kenny and Steven both feel very bad for her. Expressing regret, Kenny said, "Actually, during the night of the performance, there were only the girls left in there changing. All males left the room, so there was no one else left in there. I really don't know how this happened! It's like we can't avoid it!" Steven continued, "It's definitely against morality! They've gone overboard! They really shouldn't have done that!" Mandy Chiang expressed that it is a great danger for female artistes to be changing, but she feels that this is definitely not Gillian's fault; the fault lies with the person who took the photos. Vincy Chan expressed that she will be more careful when changing, or perhaps changing with all the lights switched would be a good idea.

Also, when Miriam Yeung was filming an MV yesterday, she also heard of Gillian being filmed of changing. She was very shocked and expressed, "Are you joking?! How could there be people sneaking around backstage? This is outrageous! It's very wrong! I know that making a living is hard; each person has a job, but there needs to be ground rules. This is such a bad thing to happen to Gillian. I think this isn't an artiste's fault; it's the society's fault. That's a reason of why we don't even feel comfortable around a camera; it's because some of the media has broken that promise of trust. Posting these photos are even worse than posting those of wardrobe malfunctions. This is overboard! Not to mention, scary! (Are you going to be more careful?) We can't avoid it. When we think of something to avoid it, they'll just figure out another way. It's not like we can buy a platinum lantern to change in! I believe that Gillian's company will deal with it."

Gillian Chung Interview