PEEPING under skirts, wearing a bridal veil, caressing bottoms, grinding sexily with dancers, burying his head in a female dancer's bosom and kissing a male dancer.

Not quite what one would expect from Hong Kong singer Eason Chan, who's known more for his voice and songs than for his on-stage antics or dancing.

But Eason, 34, did all that at his concert in Hong Kong recently.

But Eason countered that concerts 'should stimulate the audience's visual senses' and he was only trying to build up a mood.

'I guess most people were more interested in only those (raunchy) bits,' he told The New Paper on Tuesday when he was in town to promote his new film, The Pye-Dog.

With his family watching, wasn't it uncomfortable for him to get so risque with his dancers?

He said: 'The dancers and I are very familiar with one another, so we don't feel much when we're on stage.

'To me, lust is normal between men and women. But what about between men? I wanted to challenge myself, my attitude towards lust.

'I have a new revelation, I find that I'm more interested in women (than in men). Confirmed,' he joked.

Reporters in the room broke out in raucous laughter along with him.

MOST LOVED CONCERT

In any case, the audience seems to love him.

In a recent online poll of the most loved concerts in Hong Kong last year, netizens voted Eason's show as the most enjoyable, ahead of those by other heavyweights like Miriam Yeung, Sammi Cheng, Leo Ku and Aaron Kwok.

But Eason was quick to underplay his achievements.

He said: 'I think during the time of the voting, Andy Lau's concert wasn't included yet. I think his would have been the best (if it were included).'

And he was not trying to be humble.

'One will always see oneself as being able to improve further, and others as always better than you,' he explained.

Perhaps it's Eason's earnest attitude and his childlike enthusiasm that fuelled his meteoric rise.

Besides wildly successful concert tours in the region, he has released more than 30 records and has appeared in nearly 30 films since he came on the scene in 1995.

His latest film, The Pye-Dog, is a suspense drama in which he plays a triad member posing as a school janitor to kidnap a boy who doesn't speak.

But he develops a friendship with the boy and a substitute teacher (played by Gia Lin).

The Pye-Dog opens today in cinemas and over SingTel mio TV (Mei Ah Movies, Channel 50, 10pm) - the first time a movie is shown on the same day in the cinemas and on pay-TV.

NEXT GOD OF SONGS

But it's the music arena that Eason still dominates.

In September 2005, his album, U87, was regarded as one of the 'Five Asian Albums Worth Buying' by Time Asia magazine.

Last June, he was named entertainer of the year and the best Cantonese male singer at the 7th Chinese Music Media Awards.

Last month, he was the big winner at the Mandarin Music-On-Demand Best 10 Awards, taking home five awards, including Most Popular Male Singer.

And he began this year by being the biggest winner again at the recent Commercial Radio's annual pop music chart awards. He took five awards - an achievement on par with the God Of Songs, Jacky Cheung.

Eason has often been compared to Jacky as both, while not known for their looks, have mesmerised fans with their powerful vocals.

But Eason insists he can never be on the same pedestal as Jacky.

'He's forever my hero. I grew up listening to his songs. I've never thought about overtaking him... I don't think I can nor do I need to exceed him. He will always be the God Of Songs,' said Eason.

RECORD INSURANCE

Still, Eason's status as one of the region's top singers cannot be denied.

Taiwanese media reported a concert organiser insuring him for a record NT$250m ($11m) for his upcoming concert.

Past record-holders in Taiwan were Hong Kong pop queen Sammi Cheng, who was insured for NT$200m during her concert in 2000, and Jolin Tsai, who had NT$100m coverage at the Taiwan Golden Melody Awards last year.

ACCIDENT ON CAMPUS

But Eason's high insurance may be because of his accident while performing at a campus concert in central Taiwan in April 2002.

He hurt his groin after a wooden plank he was standing on came loose and hit him between the legs.

He needed surgery to remove blood clots from his right testicle. He also hurt a ligament in his right thigh.

When asked about his record-breaking insurance coverage, he said he was unaware of it and added that he was 'very honoured'.

'It's because I was hurt on stage before, so they may be taking greater care.

'But I won't take special precautions (while on stage) because it was just an accident,' he said.

As for the paparazzi, Eason said: 'I've come to know many of them and they are not out to get you. If it's just some frivolous news, it's harmless. Of course, it can be vexing at times when things get extreme.

'But being in the news means people are still interested in you. I've come to accept it...

'I'm in a game. Play it well, play it hard.'

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