HONG Kong pop star William So Winghong denied Tuesday a secret deal with Taiwan deputy leader Annette Lu Hsiu-Lien to secure an early release from a drug rehabilitation center.

　　Speaking at a press conference in Taipei a day after being released, the 35-year-old singer said the reason he was let out early was because tests had shown he was not a drug addict.So was released Monday just 10 days after he was sent to a Taipei drug rehabilitation center for using the party drug Ecstasy.

　　A medical panel found he was not a heavy drug user.Sporting a new hair style and wearing a bright red shirt, the singer said he had not been forced to appear in a karaoke get-together to perform in front of Lu Saturday when she visited the center to promote the government’s anti-drug campaign.“There is a monthly get-together for people in the rehabilitation center,” So said.

　　“The center happened to hold such an activity when I was there and I also wanted to take part in it to have more interaction with others.”Joshua Lo, So’s lawyer, said it was a coincidence that Lu met the star when she inspected the center.So, known for his clean-cut image, was arrested June 8 at a Taipei pub for taking Ecstasy pills but was later allowed to return to Hong Kong pending further investigation. He returned to the island August 2 and later agreed to enter rehabilitation after a court found him guilty of drug use.Taiwan’s media speculated that his early release was linked to his agreement to perform before Lu, although both the judicial authorities and Lu’s office denied it. During his news conference, So also demonstrated the traditional way of getting rid of bad luck — jumping over burning “hell money,” spraying his body with water flavored with pomelo leaves and eating pork noodles.