Anson Kong Publicly Apologizes for Media Interview Outburst, Receives Support from MIRROR Members
Thestandard · 3 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
MIRROR vice-captain Anson Kong Ip-sang (江𤒹生) publicly apologized on Sunday after widespread criticism for his attitude during a September 28 press conference promoting the group's upcoming concerts. The backlash began when he posted black images with middle-finger emojis on his Instagram Story during the Mid-Autumn Festival, then dismissed reporters' questions about the deleted posts by saying he could post whatever he wanted. All 10 MIRROR members appeared at a Kwun Tong shopping mall to promote their variety show MIRROR ACE, where Kong offered his apology and thanked bandmates for their forgiveness. He revealed he had been under significant personal pressure and did not know how to process it .
Key Points
- Anson Kong publicly apologized on October 4, 2026, after reflecting for several days on his dismissive behavior toward reporters at the September 28 press conference .
- The controversy originated from a deleted Instagram Story containing black images and two middle-finger emojis he posted during the Mid-Autumn Festival .
- When reporters asked about the deleted posts, Kong responded defiantly, saying he could post whatever he wanted on his own Story .
- All 10 MIRROR members supported Kong at the Kwun Tong event; bandmate Tiger Yiu Oi-yan playfully suggested Kong treat everyone to dinner as a gesture of reconciliation .
- Kong, recently nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Horse Awards, admitted he has been under personal pressure and struggled to manage his emotions .
Why It Matters
The incident underscores the intense scrutiny Hong Kong celebrities face on social media, where even seemingly minor expressions can spark major public controversy. Kong's apology and his teammates' supportive response highlight the collective responsibility within entertainment groups to maintain professional images during promotional activities. His candid admission about personal pressure also brings attention to mental health challenges faced by public figures in the demanding entertainment industry .
The incident underscores the intense scrutiny Hong Kong celebrities face on social media, where even seemingly minor expressions can spark major public controversy. Kong's apology and his teammates' supportive response highlight the collective responsibility within entertainment groups to maintain professional images during promotional activities. His candid admission about personal pressure also brings attention to mental health challenges faced by public figures in the demanding entertainment industry .