HONG KONG pop king Leon Lai and his girlfriend, model Gaile Lok, were married Thursday in a low-key ceremony held in the Maldives, popular Web site Sina.com.cn reported Saturday quoting insiders.

Only a few close friends were invited to the private ceremony, the report said.

The report was confirmed by Hong Kong veteran show biz reporter Cha Xiaoxin.

The couple flew to the Maldives two days before the wedding to make preparations. A friend attending the ceremony revealed that the couple chose the Maldives for the wedding after being impressed by the romantic scenery during a trip there last year.

Lai and Lok first met years ago after the pop king invited the fashion model to shoot a promo for his Web site, LeonStarEast.com. But the couple waited several years to fall in love, brought together again by their common interest in red wine.

Leon will not be interrupting his honeymoon to attend the premiere of a new film next week but he did find time to finish the promotional campaign for the coming blockbuster before the wedding, the Sina report said.

(SD-Agencies)