Hong Kong, July 29 – In a moment of sheer terror that played out in real time for thousands of fans, MIRROR member Edan Lui took to Instagram early Monday morning with an urgent “SOS” distress call—not for a security threat or a medical emergency, but for a surprise encounter with a flying cockroach inside his own home.
The 27-year-old singer and actor, known for his comedic roles and boyish charm, posted a frantic video on his Instagram Stories around 1 a.m. local time, captioned simply: “SOS, help needed online.” In the clip, Lui can be heard gasping as a cockroach scurries across his floor, his voice trembling with visible dread.
“I’m really about to faint. I’m terrified. It’s so disgusting,” he later wrote in a follow-up post, accompanying the message with a series of crying emojis.
The incident unfolded when the insect suddenly appeared in Lui’s living room, triggering what fans later dubbed a “full-blown panic mode.” Rather than fleeing, the star improvised. In a moment of inspiration, he grabbed a can of hairspray from his bathroom cabinet and began spraying the invader relentlessly. He documented the DIY pest control tactic in another Story, labeling it the “hairspray method,” and added: “Thank goodness I had hairspray.”
After a tense minutes-long standoff, Lui managed to dispatch the cockroach using a slipper, ending what he described as the “cockroach crisis.” He posted a photo of the defeated insect with a dramatic caption: “Successfully eliminated. I’m still shaking.”
A Relatable Star Moment
The lighthearted but genuine reaction resonated widely with fans, many of whom shared their own cockroach horror stories in response. Lui’s admission of fear—rare for a male celebrity in a hyper-masculine entertainment industry—was praised by some followers as refreshingly honest.
Entomologists note that cockroach phobia, or blattophobia, is one of the most common insect-related anxieties worldwide, and Lui’s reaction is far from unusual. “Cockroaches trigger a strong disgust response because of their association with unclean environments and their rapid, unpredictable movements,” said Dr. Karen Yip, a Hong Kong-based behavioral scientist. “Using hairspray is actually a reasonably effective household method—it coats their spiracles, suffocating them—but it’s not as fast as commercial insecticides.”
What to Do If You Face a Cockroach Invasion
Hong Kong’s humid summer months often see a spike in cockroach activity. Experts recommend the following steps for those who share Lui’s aversion:
- Stay calm and avoid sudden movements that might startle the insect into flight.
- Use a long-range spray like hairspray or a diluted soap-and-water solution as a temporary fix.
- Never crush a cockroach with bare hands; use a shoe, paper towel, or sealed container.
- Seal entry points around doors, windows, and pipes to prevent future visitors.
- Call a professional pest control service if infestations persist.
Broader Impact
Lui’s midnight ordeal has sparked a wider conversation on social media about celebrity vulnerability and the universal nature of household fears. It also inadvertently promoted a quirky life hack: hairspray as a cockroach sedative. Fans have since flooded his comment section with memes, support, and offers of cockroach traps.
As for Edan? He posted one final Story before going offline: “I think I need therapy. And a bug bomb.”
Whether this incident becomes another punchline in his stand-up routines or a cautionary tale for his next MIRROR concert remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—Hong Kong’s cockroaches have met their match in a pop star armed with styling products and a slipper.
