The premiere episode of action drama, Tiger Cubs <飛虎>, raked in 29 points and peaked at 30 points on Sunday, June 24th. With approximately 1.86 million viewers in Hong Kong tuning in, Tiger Cubs was the TVB program that garnered the highest ratings last week. Portraying a violent criminal in Tiger Cubs, Kenneth Ma’s (馬國明) performance earned him praise!
Fans Praise Kenneth for Handsomeness
Viewers complained that Kenneth’s method of murdering Kelvin Leung (梁証嘉) and Otto Chan (陳志健) was too gruesome to watch. As Kenneth ruthlessly cut the throats of his two victims, blood drained from their necks. Although the scene was filmed in dim light, the image was jolting enough to spur 5 complaints to be filed at the Broadcasting Authority and TVB respectively.
It was refreshing that “diamond bachelor” Kenneth Ma took a 180 degree spin by playing a violent criminal in Tiger Cubs. Despite Kenneth’s ruthlessness, fans on Weibo complimented him, “He’s outrageously handsome, not terrifying!” Another fan wrote, “The drama’s ratings were strong because Kenneth Ma is in the drama! Without him, the series would not be as good!”
Due to the brutal violence and massive gunfire scenes, Tiger Cubs has drawn comparisons to Johnnie To’s (杜琪峯) 2004 film, Breaking News <大事件>. Although Tiger Cubs was criticized as lacking realism in portraying the Hong Kong Police Departments’ Special Duties Unit’s (SDU) operations, the gritty violence thrilled and repelled audiences at the same time.
TVB Deputy Director of External Affairs, Tsang Sing Ming (曾醒明), indicated that Tiger Cubs’ reception was extremely successful. The drama generated lively discussions and boosted TVB’s weekend timeslot performance dramatically. Tiger Cubs even outperformed the ratings of dramas airing during primetime slots from Monday to Friday. In July, the broadcast of Tiger Cubs will be extended to Saturday and Sunday.
“Master of Play” Averages 23 Points
Another drama featuring gratuitous violence, Master of Play <心戰>, may win the title of “drama with the most audience complaints” due to its serial killer subject matter. Although Master of Play was created by golden duo, producer Jonathan Chik and scriptwriter Zhou Xuming, older viewers did not gravitate towards the dark subject matter.
Master of Play dropped 1 point, averaging 23 points last week. Entering its final week of broadcast, Master of Play will air its ending episode on Friday, June 29th in Hong Kong.
Source: ihktv.com
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Jayne: Did Kenneth produce any fear inside you as you watched him cut the throats of his victims? What do you think of Tiger Cubs so far?
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Tags: Kenneth Ma, Master of Play, Moses Chan, Tiger Cubs
it was great.. I loved the series!!!
i loved the *first episode* …. and hope to love the series too!
i can’tr watch this drama
, but just wondering if anyone would like to do an episodic review for it.
I didn’t see this since TV didn’t show when I thought that channel would show all new latest series. But seriously, is violence the new IN thing in TVB? Anyway as long as he doesn’t pout, Kenneth can be somewhat convincing. I am afraid of being disappointed after watching this.
@Funn: imo ma ming is more convincing than the other killer Moses in Master of Play. Handsome is the truth and a bonus
Sigh! I suppose TV may show this after Master Of Play. I wanna watch!
LOL I believe fiona that KM > MC. MC was never that good of an actor.
Download it this morning b4 heading off to work, can’t wait to watch it tonight, Kenneth looks HOT as a baddie *droooll*
YES. Ma Ming is HOT and fantastic in this episode! I agree with the netizens.
sorry i thought the first one didn’t make it
YES it’s true. Ma Ming is HOT and fantastic in this episode! I agree with the netizens.
does he really look that hot? His new hairstyle already turn me off.
i agree with u veejay
i agree with u veejay. His new hairstyle just doesn’t suit him, it make him look older.
LOL I haven’t watch yet but KM must be really outstanding to get all these compliments!
I’m curious to check this out, but I’m always doubtful when reading the description of TVB dramas. I mean, how gritty can TVB get these days anyway? They’ve completely mellowed out over the years! And whenever they make the plot out to be something unique, warning signs are already running through my head. They can be the most diverse settings, whether it be about singing with dolphins, nuclear warfare or a simple dump in the toilet, but I swear: Every. Single. Time. It’s just the same old vibe. No variety whatsoever.
Nonetheless, I’ll check this out for Kenneth alone. Despite not getting the whole hooha over his supposed hotness, judging from that hair above…
ROFL don’t judge by one bad pic. Maybe KM was so hot during his unmerciful killing that got him all this hot compliments! LOK
I feel the same.
You can watch ep. 1 from here http://hyn5-hyn5.blogspot.com/2012/06/tiger-cubs-opening-theme-video.html
Thanks lol. I’ve been trying to find a site to watch it.
i can’t access this website, is there another one
the first five minutes of the murder was scarier than the entire drama of master of play. sorry, but that drama was confusing and just so much unnecessary nonsense that just lost my interest.
i couldnt believe my eyes when i first watched. my doctor became a murderer. oh kenneth, i adore you so much
am intrigued…. on mustwatch list ths one.. hope it wont dissapoint me
Kenneth scares me and that’s good! Too bad that he will only guest star in the first episode. They could have drag him along throughout the entire drama and make him as the number one criminal target.
I like JJ Jia more. She stands out as a villain. JJ is like Shirley to me, an average actress with goodie roles and surprisingly, wow me with baddie roles.
And Joe Ma does better than the normal him as a cop.
I agree with you on JJ as villain role is good. She can portray a villain effectively without rolling her eyes big like TY did hehe. Imo, JJ’s face is already stand out as someone who’s aloof and cool.
Yep totally agree
what do i think?
HOT HOT HOT
*drools*
Ma ming will appear more in episode 13!
Tiger Cubs cast and TVB celebrate the ratings victory. Glad for them.
http://hyn5-hyn5.blogspot.com/2012/06/tiger-cubs-celebrates-victory-joe-ma.html
Celebration already? That means TC is doing well for a weekend slot! LOL congrats!
Episode 1 was good, can not wait to watch episode 2.
For anyone interested, this wknd’s episode will have the highly anticipated SDU shower scene w/ Him Law and Vincent Wong.
LOL can the shower scene trump KM’s hot killing scene?
Watched the first episode and liked it. Must admit I had to close my eyes when Kenneth slit the man’s throat!! Bit gruesome. Dont like his haircut but guess the crew cut is to represent his evil persona
He was filming The Life and Times of a Sentinel at that time.. that’s why
KM also drew tattoo on his body to make him more evil LOL
Ma Ming is a great actor and quite versatile as well. He can portray comedic and serious roles and I actually think that he plays a villain pretty convincingly in the first episode and looks great doing it. Looking forward to seeing him again later on in the series.
On a side note, Joe Ma fits perfectly in his role and does not look out of place at all, maybe because he was a cop before but I totally agree with the producer for casting him in this role.
Seems like everyone only mention KM, JJ Jia, Him Law ,Vincent…etc. Funny enough the two main lead seems like non-existence. Poor Joe Ma , Poor Jessica Hsuen. Seems like audience taste change prefer supporting role compare leading role recently.
because KM’s evil scene steal the whole show! ROFL. Jessica is same boring Jessica I don’t even notice her.
likewise, n her haircut is so damn boring too. well probably b/c i never like her much hahaa. Joe Ma is the same so not much of a big deal compare to the EVILNESS of KM.
Himhim and Vincent’s characters I haven’t grown much into yet LOL. Maybe not enough watching them yet. I hope I will like them more with more of their scenes and body hotness!
I tend to watch dramas for the supporting roles lately XD
well i like JOE MA but NEVER JESSICAN HSUAN hahaa…
I like Jessica, but got nothing to comment on her role … yet. xD
i watched the 1st eps last night and it was really good. Ma Ming was really good as a bad ass killer in the series. Wish to see him more.
ma ming will be the focus again in the last episode
The first episode was awesome. I like this one case per episode thing =) Hopefully the series would continue to be awesome!
Have not seen this yet.
Have always tot Kenneth looks so much better… serious- very handsome!
HOT !!!!!!
I just dont like the way he smile…lol…