Violent, sexually explicit and popular with Hong Kong kids: book series recalled over content
Complaints lead publisher to attach warnings and wrap each in plastic
A bestselling book series containing violence and sexual content, including a passage detailing cooking a little girl, is under investigation by the publication watchdog after public outrage over the series’ popularity and unrestricted distribution even among primary school children.
The two-book, Chinese-language series Deep Web was recalled on Wednesday by the publisher, Idea Publication, which admitted it “mishandled” distribution.
The publisher initially distributed the books without a graphic content warning, and some shops put the books, unwrapped and unaccompanied by any warning, on their bestseller shelves.
A spokeswoman for the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration said the office was investigating.
“If the distribution of the books is found to have breached the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance, the office will take proper follow-up actions,” she said.
“We will not rule out considering prosecution.”