I REFER to Chris Kucway's letter headlined, ''Fans' directionless idolatry'' (South China Morning Post, July 12).
Mr Kucway's comment of fans' reaction to popular musician Wong Ka-kui's death as ''directionless idolatry in its worst form'' was a cold and unthinking one.
Pop idols often hold a significant place in young people's hearts because they sing about issues youths can relate to, and play music youths enjoy. Furthermore, if they make use of their high profile personas to positively influence young people, they can become role models who equal parents and school teachers in importance. Wong was such a pop idol, because he wanted to stimulate people into taking notice of the world around them through his songs and actions.
In the immediate aftermath of Wong's sudden, and tragic passing away, tears and sorrow are the most natural and sensitive ways to express the loss felt by the people whom he obviously meant very much to. Such actions are not ''directionless''.
It is unkind of Mr Kucway to ask ''when will these people get lives of their own?'' When Wong Ka-kiu's fans and friends have dried their tears, they will get on with their lives yet remember Wong for the positive things he stood for.
If Mr Kucway or any other reader feels the trials, tribulations, or death of local celebrities are of little concern to them, I suggest they just don't read the reports. Having said that, I feel the coverage of Wong Ka-kui's death - focusing almost exclusively on the reaction of fans - once again demonstrates the media's insatiable appetite for reporting grief and sorrow. An obituary detailing Wong's life, work, and achievements, would have been a far more worthy tribute to the man.