Hong Kong - In the most public acknowledgement so far of his romance with China-born model Lynn Hung, Heavenly King Aaron Kwok attended her father's funeral on Tuesday, said newspapers.

Kwok, 47, appeared at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in the morning, about 15 minutes after Hung, 33, her mother and brother, said Apple Daily.

The mourners later moved to a crematorium where the pop star took off his mask and shades as a mark of respect, said the newspaper.

He stood next to his girlfriend in the first row for family members and they offered incense to her father.

She had flown her father to Hong Kong from Nanjing after he was diagnosed with liver cancer last year, said reports.

He checked into a Hong Kong hospital, and rumour had it that Kwok paid millions of Hong Kong dollars for his medical bills. Hung denied the story, however, said Ming Pao Daily News.

Her father returned home to recuperate but was rushed back to Hong Kong when his health worsened around New Year's Eve, said Apple Daily. The newspaper said Kwok hurried back to visit Hung's father after a countdown concert in Taipei.

The couple have dated for six years.

Apple Daily said Kwok acquitted himself better than Heavenly King Andy Lau, who concealed his marriage with his wife Carol Choo and played hide-and-seek with reporters at his father-in-law's funeral near Kuala Lumpur in 2009.

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