Big White Duel

Big White Duel (Chinese: 白色強人; Cantonese Yale: bak sik keung yan) is a 2019 Hong Kong television medical drama produced by Marco Law and TVB. It stars Roger Kwok, Kenneth Ma, Natalie Tong, Ali Lee and Kelly Cheung as the main leads. The series follows a team of medical practitioners at the fictional Marshall Paxton Hospital, Hong Kong's leading public hospital, with its central plot structuring around the hospital's Deputy C.E., Dr. YT Yeung's (Roger Kwok) attempts in rallying support for a new healthcare plan that would change the landscape of Hong Kong's healthcare system. Big White Duel premiered on TVB Jade in Hong Kong on 10 June 2019, and aired its final episode on 12 July 2019. It aired on Mediacorp's Channel 8 on 18 March 2020 and concluded on 25 May 2020. A second season is in the works, to begin filming in October 2020.

Big White Duel
Official poster
Chinese	白色強人
Mandarin	bái sè qiáng rén
Cantonese	baak^6 sik^1 koeng^4 jan^4
Literally	White Strongmen
Genre	Medical drama
Created by	Marco Law
Written by	Wong Wai-keung
Starring	Roger Kwok Kenneth Ma Natalie Tong Ali Lee Kelly Cheung Matthew Ho Crystal Fung David Chiang Ram Chiang
Theme music composer	Alan Cheung
Opening theme	"Choice" (選擇善良) by Fred Cheng
Ending theme	"Without You" (沒有你開始) by Hana Kuk
Composer	Alan Cheung
Country of origin	Hong Kong
Original language	Cantonese
No. of episodes	25
Production
Executive producer	Marco Law
Production locations	Hong Kong Shenzhen, China
Running time	45 minutes
Production company	TVB
Distributor	TVBI
Release
Original network	TVB Jade
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Original release	10 June – 12 July 2019
Chronology
Followed by	Big White Duel 2
External links
Website

Big White Duel received widespread critical acclaim throughout its broadcast period. It is currently sitting as Hong Kong's second highest-rated television drama of 2019, and won multiple awards and nominations at the StarHub TVB Awards and TVB Anniversary Awards, including My favorite TVB Actress for Natalie Tong, My favorite TVB Actor and Best Actor for Kenneth Ma, Most Improved Female Artist for Kelly Cheung and Best Drama.

Series overview

Hong Kong's leading public hospital, Marshall Paxton, is being used as a trial ground for a radical reform project that could potentially change the future of Hong Kong's healthcare system. As medical practitioners at Marshall Paxton regularly face ethical dilemmas that challenge their professionalism, they are also being put in the middle of a power struggle between Deputy C.E. Dr. YT Yeung, who seeks for healthcare reform and for the spot of C.E., and the hospital's current C.E. Dr. Lui Chung-hok, who wants to keep the status quo. Fictional depictions of the Hospital Authority (known in the series as the Medical Development Authority), the Department of Health, and the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo) are prominent entities that drive the plot.

Plot

Hong Kong's healthcare reform is imperative. The radical reform plan is to privatize public hospitals and raise capital by means of public listing to maintain operations. The leading public hospital, Marshall Paxton Hospital, has become a pilot for the reform. YT Yeung, Deputy Hospital Chief Executive and Chief of Service (C.O.S.) of Neurosurgery, has made preparations for five years, seeking to turn the hospital into a medical empire that raises more than $10 billion. He is even looking to be the person-in-charge! Dr. Tong Ming, C.O.S. of Cardio Thoracic Surgery, has a totally different ideology compared to YT's. He has fought alongside his apprentice Dr. Max Poon in accordance with the life-saving principle that is to hold human life above the healthcare system, but they are instead dragged into the power struggle initiated by Dr. Lui Chung-hok, CE of Marshal Paxton, who opposes the medical reform. YT, Tong Ming cardiothoracic surgeon Kennis Ching, A&E's Dr. Zoe So, and neurosurgeon Dr. Yan Lui, etc. are a group of strong-willed people in white robes, but their opponents are not only diseases, but also human greed coupled with the lust driven by power…[1]

Production

Big White Duel was first announced in late 2017 as a new installment to Marco Law's Strongmen series, which started with the legal drama Law dis-Order in 2016. Initially produced with the working title White Giants (白色巨人), the new series would follow a similar to theme to Law dis-Order, in which career professionals engage in political games to consolidate power. Law employed the same team behind Law dis-Order for Big White Duel, including scriptwriter Wong Wai-keung.

Moses Chan and Ruco Chan were initially sought out to respectively star as Dr. YT Yeung and Dr. Tong Ming.[2] After turning down the roles, TVB cast Roger Kwok and Kenneth Ma in December 2017.[2] Big White Duel became Kwok's last TVB drama in his management contract. The role of Dr. Patrick Lam was first offered to Jason Chan, and then to Oscar Leung, but both turned down the role due to schedule conflicts. The role ultimately went to Stephen Wong.

In February 2018, Big White Duel held its first costume fitting press conference. Filming commenced that same month in Tuen Mun, and later in Shenzhen, China. Principal photography focused on locations in Tuen Mun's T PARK, Shenzhen's Horizontal Skyscraper, and the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, which were used as backdrops for Marshall Paxton Hospital.[3] Principal photography ended in July 2018 with a wrap-up party held on 2 July 2018.

Cast and characters

Marshall Paxton Hospital

Name	Portrayed by	Occupation
Dr. Lui Chung-hok	David Chiang	Chief Executive of Marshall Paxton, Cardiothoracic surgeon
Dr. "YT" Yeung Yat-to	Roger Kwok	Deputy Chief Executive of Marshall Paxton, Chief of Service (C.O.S.) for the Neuroendovascular Surgery (NES) Department, Neurosurgeon
Dr. Tong Ming	Kenneth Ma	C.O.S. for the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery (CTS), Cardiothoracic surgeon
Dr. "Samuel" Yu Cham-sum	Ram Chiang	C.O.S. for the Department of Accident & Emergency (A&E)
Dr. "Patrick" Lam Hok-kei	Stephen Wong	NES Associate Consultant, Neurosurgeon
Dr. "Yan" Lui Oi-ling	Kelly Cheung	NES Associate Consultant, Neurosurgeon
Dr. "Kennis" Ching Lok-man	Ali Lee	CTS Associate Consultant, Cardiothoracic surgeon
Dr. "Hugo" Ho Bing-kwong	Willie Wai	CTS Associate Consultant, Cardiothoracic surgeon
Dr. "Zoe" So Yee	Natalie Tong	A&E Associate Consultant
Dr. "Max" Poon Wai-tak	Matthew Ho	CTS Resident Specialist
Dr. "Ceci" Fong Shu-ting	Crystal Fung	CTS Resident Specialist
Wong Ching, RN	Lily Poon	A&E Nurse Consultant
"Macy" Wai Man-yi, RN	Moss Wu	A&E Associate Nurse Consultant

Government officials

Name	Portrayed by	Occupation
Kwok Yat-choi	Keith Ng	Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Chung Kin-sing	English Tang	LegCo President
Dr. Cheung Sat-chau	Willie Lau	Department of Health Secretary
Dr. "Ivan" Yau Kwok-tung	Timothy Cheng	Deputy Health Secretary, Gastroenterologist
Dr. "Martin" Wan Ming-cheung	Max Cheung	Chairman for the Medical Development Authority
Lam Hoi-sang	Chan Wing-chun	LegCo Party chairman
Ng Wing-yip	Gary Tam	LegCo legislator

Senior Management

Cast	Role	Description
David Chiang 姜大衞	Lui Chung-hok 呂仲學	Dr. Lui Marshall Paxton Chief Executive → Honorary Adviser → Health Secretary Father of Lui Oi-ling Opposed to the healthcare reform bill
Roger Kwok 郭晉安	Yeung Yat-to 楊逸滔	YT, YT Yeung Marshall Paxton Deputy Chief Executive → Acting CE → CE Supporter of the healthcare reform bill, later opposed
Kenneth Ma 馬國明[4]	Tong Ming 唐明	Marshall Paxton Deputy Chief Executive

Neuroendovascular Surgery (NES)

Cast	Role	Description
Roger Kwok 郭晉安	Yeung Yat-to 楊逸滔	YT, YT Yeung, Dr. Yeung Head of surgery Department Chief of Service In love with Yan
Stephen Wong 黃嘉樂	Lam Hok-kei 林學祈	Patrick, Dr. Lam Associate Consultant → Consultant Son of Lam Hoi-sang Has a crush on Yan
Kelly Cheung 張曦雯	Lui Oi-ling 呂靄寧	Yan, Dr. Lui Associate Consultant Daughter of Lui Chung-hok Best friends with Kennis Friends with Zoe In love with YT

Cardiothoracic Surgery (CTS)

Cast	Role	Description
Kenneth Ma 馬國明	Tong Ming 唐明	Dr. Tong Department Chief of Service Former Consultant of Chak On Hospital Friends with Samuel Has a love triangle with Zoe and Kennis Ex-husband of Zoe, later remarried Mentor of Poon Wai-tak
Ali Lee 李佳芯	Ching Lok-man 程洛雯	Kennis, Dr. Ching Associate Consultant → Consultant → Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Best friends with Yan and Zoe In love with Tong Ming Underwent Cardiac Auto-transplantation by Tong Ming in episode 24 Became a Doctor Without Borders in episode 25 Shot in episode 25, fate unknown
Willie Wai 韋家雄	Ho Bing-kwong 何秉光	Hugo, Dr. Ho Associate Consultant → Consultant Mean to everyone in the Cardiothoracic Surgery department Jealous of Kennis’ skills and admiration by YT Wife involved in accident and later dies with organs donated
Matthew Ho 何廣沛	Poon Wai-tak 潘懷德	Max, Dr. Poon Medical Officer → Associate Consultant Boyfriend of Fong Su-ting
Crystal Fung 馮盈盈	Fong Su-ting 方書婷	Ceci, Dr. Fong Medical Officer Girlfriend of Poon Wai-tak

Accident & Emergency (A & E)

Cast	Role	Description
Ram Chiang 蔣志光	Yu Cham-sum 余湛琛	Samuel, Dr. Yu Department Chief of Service/ Consultant In love with Zoe
Natalie Tong 唐詩詠	So Yee 蘇怡	Zoe, Dr. So Associate Consultant Ex-wife of Tong Ming, later remarried

Nursing

Cast	Role	Description
Lily Poon 潘芳芳	Wong Ching 汪澄	Advanced Practice Nurse/Consultant Nurse A & E Nurse
Moss Wu 吳沚默	Wai Man-yi 韋文意	Macy Associate Consultant Nurse In love with Poon Wai-tak

Other cast

Cast	Role	Description
Ashley Chu 朱智賢	Eugene, Hong Kiu 康橋	TNN producer Wife of Martin, later divorced In love with YT Supporter of the healthcare reform bill, later opposed
Max Cheung 張達倫	Wan Ming-cheung 溫銘章	Martin, Dr. Wan Medical Development Authority Chairman Husband of Eugene, later divorced Supporter of the healthcare reform bill, later opposed
Timothy Cheng 鄭子誠	Yau Kwok-tung 游國棟	Ivan, Dr. Yau Deputy Health Secretary → Secretary → Resigned Supporter of the healthcare reform bill Threatened Kennis by her cardiac health
Chan Wing-chun 陳榮峻	Lam Hoi-sang 林海生	LegCo Party Chairman Father of Lam Hok-kei Supporter of the healthcare reform bill
Gary Tam 譚偉權	Ng Wing-yip 吳榮業	Councillor Ng LegCo Opposition Member Opposed to the healthcare reform bill
Keith Ng 吳瑞庭	Kwok Yat-choi 郭逸材	Hong Kong Chief Executive
Leo Lo 盧海鷹	Chui Tse-go 徐子高	Trading company salesman Mental Patient Gunman

Viewership ratings

TVB Jade

#	Timeslot (HKT)	Week	Episode(s)	Average points	Peaking points
1	Mon – Fri 21:30	10 — 14 June 2019	1 — 5	28	29
2		17 — 21 June 2019	6 — 10	28	29
3		24 — 28 June 2019	11 — 15	28	⁠—
4		1 — 5 July 2019	16 — 20	28	⁠—
5		8 — 12 July 2019	21 — 25	31	⁠32
Total average				⁠29	⁠30

International broadcast

Region	Network	Notes
Malaysia	8TV
Singapore	VV Drama & MediaCorp Channel 8	Dubbed With Mandarin
Cambodia	PNN TV	Dubbed With Khmer

Network(s)/Station(s)	Series premiere		Title
Hong Kong Macau	TVB Anywhere, TVB Jade	June 10, 2019 – July 12, 2019 (Monday to Friday 21:30-22:30)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
Singapore Malaysia	TVB Jade	June 10, 2019 – July 12, 2019 (Monday to Friday 21:30-22:30)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
Malaysia	Astro AOD	June 10, 2019 – July 12, 2019 (Monday to Friday 21:30-22:30)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
	8TV	December 9, 2020 – January 12, 2021 (The best of TVB Monday to Friday 19:00-19:58)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
Singapore	Hub Drama First	June 10, 2019 – July 12, 2019 (Monday to Friday 21:30-22:30)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
	Hub VV Drama	October 22, 2019 – November 25, 2019 (Episode premiere Monday to Friday 20:00-21:00)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
	Channel 8	March 18, 2020 – May 26, 2020 (Monday to Friday 19:30-20:00 (A half episode of the original version is broadcast every time))	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
Australia	TVBJ (Australia)	June 11, 2019 – July 13, 2019 (Tuesday to Saturday 21:30-22:30)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
United States	TVBe	June 10, 2019 – July 12, 2019 (Monday to Friday Golden Theater Hours 16:00-17:00)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
	TVB1	December 2, 2019 – January 3, 2020 (Golden Theater Monday to Friday 22:00-23:00 EDT)	白色強人 (Big White Duel; lit: )
Cambodia	PNN TV	2019 ()	Big White Duel ( ; lit: )
Thailand	Channel 3 (33)	December 19, 2020 - January 00, 2021 (Every night Monday to Sunday afternoon 3:43-04.27)	Big White Duel ทีมแพทย์หัวใจทระนง ( ; lit: )

Awards & Nominations

TVB Anniversary Awards 2019

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result
2019	2019 TVB Anniversary Awards	Best Actor	Kenneth Ma	Won
			Roger Kwok	Nominated
		Best Actress	Ali Lee	Nominated (Top 5)
			Natalie Tong	Nominated (Top 5)
			Kelly Cheung	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	David Chiang	Nominated (Top 5)
			Matthew Ho	Nominated (Top 5)
			Max Cheung	Nominated
			Ram Chiang	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Ashley Chu	Nominated
			Crystal Fung	Nominated
		Most Popular Male Character	Kenneth Ma	Nominated (Top 5)
			Matthew Ho	Nominated
			Roger Kwok	Nominated
		Most Popular Female Character	Natalie Tong	Nominated (Top 5)
			Kelly Cheung	Nominated
			Ali Lee	Nominated
		Best Drama	N/A	Won

References

1. "'Big White Duel' official TVB website". TVB (in Chinese). Retrieved 10 June 2019.
2. "Kenneth Ma replaces Moses Chan as the star of new TVB medical drama". KK News (in Chinese). 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
3. "Big White Duel's three major location spots". Sky Post (in Chinese). 28 June 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
4. "馬國明食住《降魔的》氣勢　開新劇《白色強人》再演醫生". 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2019-07-08.