This paper is the final assignment of graduate school course Media, Genre and Aesthetics. It is supervised by Professor Anne Jerslev, the host of the course seminar Celebrification: Celebrity Cultures and Celebrity Genres across Media. This paper is a collective work joint by my classmate Yujia Zhang.

Abstract

On 1 April 2003, the famous singer, award-winning actor, and pop-king of his era, Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing (Zhang Guorong), committed suicide. Fifteen years after his death, he has remained famous and visible as a celebrity, his celebrity status has been constantly ascent through the commemorations. Applied the definition of Driessens (2013), this work examines how his visibility as his celebrity capital has been unceasingly increased. An empirical study combined with a case study will interpret three approaches for Leslie Cheung to maintain his posthumous celebrity capital.

Keywords

Leslie Cheung, Celebrity Capital, Celebrity Studies

Content

Introduction
A Commodified Image: The Reproduction of Leslie Cheung
A Subversive Idol, A Unique Icon: Leslie Cheung as a Cultural Symbol
The Tenth Anniversary: Butterfly and the Recirculation of Celebrity Capital
Conclusion