Remembering Leslie Cheung on the 22nd Anniversary of His Passing

April 1, 2025, marks the 22nd anniversary of the passing of Hong Kong film icon Leslie Cheung (장국영). Cheung tragically took his own life at the age of 46 in a hotel room on the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. His death on April Fool's Day led many to initially doubt the news, and once confirmed, it plunged fans across Asia into deep sorrow, with some even following him in death.

Cheung began his career as a singer in 1977 with the album 'I Like Dreamin'' and went on to become a symbol of Hong Kong cinema, starring in numerous hit films such as 'A Better Tomorrow' (영웅본색), 'A Chinese Ghost Story' (천녀유혼), 'Days of Being Wild' (동사서독), 'Farewell My Concubine' (패왕별희), and 'Happy Together' (해피투게더).

His popularity in South Korea during the height of Hong Kong cinema was immense, and the news of his death was widely covered by local media, causing a significant impact and shock.

In the wake of his passing, various theories emerged regarding the circumstances of his death. Questions arose due to Cheung's well-known fear of heights, his ability to manage a busy schedule up until his death, and a phone call he made just ten minutes before his passing, where he told a friend he would see them in five minutes. However, his family revealed that he had struggled with depression, and authorities concluded that he had taken his own life.

Even more than two decades later, Cheung remains a beloved figure, with many expressing their longing for him. The South Korean film industry continues to honor his legacy, with recent re-releases of his classic films. On March 26, the extended version of 'Farewell My Concubine' (패왕별희: 디 오리지널) premiered, followed by remastered versions of 'Youth' (열화청춘) and 'The Three' (대삼원) on March 31.