The gilded world of Macau’s elite casino dynasties sets the stage for a brutal family war in City of Splendor, TVB’s new dark drama starring Julian Cheung and Ron Ng. Premiering on October 12, the series marks the beloved co-stars’ first small-screen reunion in 13 years since Triumph in the Skies II, and sees them trading cockpits for corporate thrones.
A Dynasty Divided
Produced by veteran showrunner Chan Wai-kuen, the series centers on the Koon family. Cheung plays Koon Hiu-yin, the eldest brother—a refined, calculating figure whose charm masks a ruthless, near-sociopathic ambition. Ng stars as Koon Hiu-kuen, the fiercely ambitious younger brother who contrasts his sibling’s complete amorality with a faintly beating conscience. Their father, portrayed by veteran actor David Chiang, is a tyrannical patriarch who actively devours his own offspring, embodying the classic “tiger eating its cubs” dynamic that inflames the central conflict.
The introduction of their wives—played by Samantha Ko and Zoe Koo—turns the family estate into a high-stakes chessboard where everyone is either a pawn or a sacrifice.
Embracing the Darkness
Cheung was frank about the severity of his role, which he calls the “most evil” he has ever portrayed. “The Cool Cop [from Triumph in the Skies] has truly become a demon this time,” Cheung said, noting that his character is capable of everything from cold cruelty to full psychological abuse. “As an actor, you have to push against your limits. This felt like touching a certain extreme.”
Ron Ng, previously known for playing impulsive heroes, deliberately shifts gears in this production. “I’m not playing impulse this time. I’m playing pure strategy,” he explained.
New Sparks, Old Friends
The chance to spar with Cheung again was an immediate draw for Ng. “I accepted right away when I heard Julian was involved,” Ng stated. “It had been over 13 years. I wanted to see what new chemistry we could find.”
Cheung was equally effusive about the reunion, describing Ng as a punctual, humorous, and highly collaborative actor. “We had a lot of scenes where we clashed as brothers. It was very easy to reach a consensus. It was a truly happy collaboration,” Cheung recalled. He also noted that the nuance of the brotherly bond—where utter ruthlessness meets a strange, residual sense of familial righteousness—was a key appeal of the script.
A Calculated Bet for TVB
The drama boasts a strong ensemble that expands the conflict beyond its central duo. Characters played by Samantha Ko, Zoe Koo, and Jessica Chan prove they are no mere accessories, navigating the family’s dangerous chess game with their own agendas. The Macau setting, with its neon glow and colonial shadows, provides the perfect visual metaphor for an opulence concealing deep decay.
City of Splendor represents a strategic creative bet for TVB. In an era dominated by big-budget streaming co-productions, the network is leaning into dense, morally ambiguous character studies starring its homegrown talent. The result is a tense, beautifully rendered exploration of the cost of ambition. For audiences, it asks a timeless question: when blood turns to business, can anyone walk away clean? For fans of classic family sagas and powerhouse acting duels, City of Splendor makes for essential viewing.
