Fans pay tribute to late icon Leslie Cheung

Hundreds of fans offered flowers in tribute to 90s Cantopop icon Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing on Tuesday, as the late actor and singer's enduring legacy continues to resonate in the city decades after his passing.

The resting place of Cheung’s ashes at Po Fook Hill Cemetery in Sha Tin, was adorned with flower wreaths and tributes from fans around the world, including mainland China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.

A giant heart-shaped decoration stood in the memorial hall, bearing the Chinese slogan “continuing to cherish [him] for 22 years,” and “Miss You Much Leslie” in English.

Other offerings include origami cranes, butterfly decorations, and a life-size cardboard cutout of Cheung.
A group of South Korean fans brought along a banner to the cemetery, chanting in Korean “Leslie, I love you.”

Speaking to reporters, Cheung’s former manager Florence Chan Sock-fun thanked fans for taking the time to pay tribute to the late star, especially those who flew from overseas.

She revealed plans for a commemorative exhibition in Hong Kong and a performance that will bring together Cheung’s friends and fans.

Flower bouquets and posters also lined the streets outside the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central, where Cheung fell to his death on April 1, 2003, at age 46.

Daffy Tong Hok-tak, the romantic partner of Cheung, posted several old pictures of him and the singer on Instagram, writing in remembrance: “Who can replace you” in Chinese, a lyric line of Cheung’s hit single Monica.

(Jamie Liu)