Gillian Chung, one of several prominent Hong Kong stars caught up in a nude photo scandal, apologized yesterday for the incident that has sparked arrests and a media frenzy.

27-year-old Chung, previously known for her squeaky-clean image, made her eagerly awaited statement before a mass of reporters and video cameras flanked by Charlene Choi, her singing partner in the female pop duo Twins.

"I admit that I was naive and very silly, but I've grown up now. As for the influence this incident has had on society, I apologize" Chung said in her first public comments since the nude images trickled onto the Internet a fortnight ago.

The photographs, which appear to show Chung naked in bed with male star Edison Chen, were recently posted online, provoking blanket tabloid coverage in celebrity-mad Hong Kong.

Edison Chen apologized last week in a video statement, and called the postings of the photographs "intentionally hurtful and malicious."

The scandal, which involved several local celebrities, has dominated Hong Kong headlines in the past two weeks. Other nude photos involved actress Cecilia Cheung and five other women.

A police investigation has so far led to eight arrests for infringement of obscene material laws, and the seizure of more than 1,000 images.