HONG KONG: A factory worker in China has sparked rumours that he might be the long-lost younger brother of Hong Kong actor-singer Jordan Chan, after a video showing their striking resemblance went viral on social media.
But the man has since denied being adopted, putting a damper on the online theories.
The video, uploaded to Douyin on Oct 13, showed the worker operating machinery at a factory.
Wearing a red safety helmet and a white T-shirt, he caught viewers' attention because his face, expressions, and overall look closely resembled the 59-year-old actor.
Internet users soon pointed out several supposed similarities.
These included the worker's surname, Chen, and a distinct mark on his ear that people claimed matched Chan's.
Some also compared the worker's reported name, Chen Xianglu, with the name believed to belong to Chan's younger brother, Chen Xiaolu. But none of these details proves a family link.
The rumours picked up steam after Chan's past comments about his poor childhood resurfaced.
The actor previously revealed that his family struggled financially, and his parents eventually gave away their youngest son for adoption because they could not afford to raise all their children.
According to reports, Chan remembered seeing a notice asking for a healthy boy for adoption when he was a child collecting scrap.
He told his parents about it, which initially made them angry. But the family's desperate situation eventually forced them to go through with the adoption.
Chan reportedly felt lasting guilt over the incident.
The actor later thought about searching for his younger brother, but his father discouraged him.
His father feared that a sudden reunion might disrupt the life the boy had built with his adoptive family. Taiwanese media reported his father's words: "They worked hard to raise the child. What right do you have to disrupt their lives?"
As the rumours spread, the factory worker addressed the claims during a livestream on Oct 15.
He said he had never been adopted, had older brothers and sisters, and originally came from Fujian province. He also denied other online claims about his personal life.
Despite his clear response, the story continues to draw attention online, with many people still commenting on how much the two men look alike.
Neither Chan nor his wife, actress Cherrie Ying, has publicly commented on the matter.
No DNA test or official evidence has proven that the two men are related.
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