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The Defected

The Defected (: 鐵探; lit. 'Iron ') is a 2019 Hong Kong television drama series produced by , consisting of 30 episodes that aired from April 29 to May 31, 2019. The series centers on Sheung Sing (played by ), a dedicated who, after surviving a severe injury sustained in the , embarks on an investigation into a conspiracy implicating senior police officials, including the influential Madam Man (). Supporting characters include the experienced undercover officer Bingo (Philip Keung), forming a core trio navigating internal betrayals and systemic pressures within the . The narrative unfolds as a exploring themes of , , and , with Sheung Sing's pursuit revealing layers of among high-ranking brass that threaten departmental . Key plot developments involve courtroom dramas, personal sacrifices, and tactical alliances, culminating in a where Madam Man deploys strategic defenses tied to family stakes. The production featured a strong ensemble cast, including in prominent roles, and was noted for its intricate character dynamics and suspenseful pacing. While praised by some viewers for delivering rare depth in character writing and engaging plot twists amid TVB's typical output, the series drew criticism for failing to fully capitalize on its promising premise and talented leads, resulting in uneven execution toward the conclusion. Its availability on platforms like has extended its reach beyond , introducing international audiences to this depiction of institutional intrigue in .

Synopsis

Plot Summary

The Defected (Chinese: 鐵探) is a 30-episode Hong Kong police drama that aired on TVB Jade from April 29 to May 31, 2019. The series centers on Inspector Sheung Sing (portrayed by Benjamin Yuen), a rising star in the Heavy Crime Group who sustains a severe head injury from a gunshot while rescuing a fellow officer during a high-stakes operation against criminals. Miraculously surviving, Sheung earns the nickname "Iron Detective" for his unyielding determination in pursuing justice, despite enduring chronic health sequelae from the trauma. The narrative unfolds primarily through flashbacks triggered by a present-day courtroom confrontation where Sheung sues Man Hei-Wah, head of the Anti-Corruption Force, for abusing her authority, while revealing his prognosis of only two years to live. Sheung's investigations into among senior officials expose a broader involving internal power rivalries, as high-ranking officers compete ruthlessly for the Assistant Commissioner position, often sacrificing subordinates as expendable pieces. Central to the plot is the alliance formed between Sheung and veteran undercover operative , who grows disillusioned with Madam Man's tactics after witnessing her willingness to abandon agents for advancement. Their joint efforts target notorious crime syndicate leader "The Commander" and aim to unmask a traitor embedded in hierarchy, navigating layers of , bureaucratic intrigue, and ethical dilemmas within . The storyline emphasizes the tensions between and ambition, illustrating how personal vendettas and institutional flaws undermine integrity.

Cast and Characters

Main Cast

Benjamin Yuen stars as Inspector Sheung Sing (尚垶; Soeng Sing), a dedicated Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer who sustains a near-fatal injury during a botched operation and subsequently uncovers a conspiracy within the police hierarchy while navigating transfers to the Narcotics Bureau and Kowloon West Regional Headquarters. Kara Wai portrays Man Hei-wah (文希華; Man Hei-wa), commonly known as Madam Man, a senior police official whose leadership and decisions influence the internal dynamics and investigations central to the series. Philip Keung plays Yau Bin-ko (游彬高; Yau Ban-go), nicknamed "Bingo," a colleague of Sheung Sing involved in high-stakes narcotics cases and personal conflicts amid the unfolding corruption probe. Additional principal cast members include Ben Wong as Cheng Samuel (鄭薩穆爾; Cheng Sam-mui), or Ching Sir, a veteran officer entangled in the bureaucratic power struggles; Sisley Choi as Chiu Hei-yuet (趙希玥; Chiu Hei-yuet), known as Jill, who supports investigative efforts; and as Yau Lai-kit (游禮杰; Yau Lai-git), a key figure in the team's operations. These performances, drawn from TVB's ensemble of established actors, drive the narrative's focus on loyalty, betrayal, and institutional reform within the police force.

Supporting Cast

Ben Wong portrays Cheng Yu-sam (Samuel), a deputy superintendent within the who becomes involved in the upper echelons' conspiracies and loyalties. plays Chiu Hei-yuet (Jill), a colleague of the Sheung Sing who contributes to investigations amid the department's internal conflicts. depicts Yau Lai-kit (A-kit or Matt Sir), a senior inspector in the Narcotics Bureau and later the Crime Squad of the West Kowloon Region, serving as a key figure in operational and familial ties to senior leadership. Benz Hui appears as Kan Kwok-cui (A-cui), an experienced officer providing veteran perspective in the force's hierarchy. Additional supporting roles feature actors such as , , and Lit Wai Leung as Happy, who collectively depict subordinates, rivals, and peripheral figures enhancing the portrayal of bureaucratic tensions and personal stakes within the police structure.

Guest Appearances

portrayed a official in a guest role, depicted as the ex-wife of Hui Shiu-hung's character and the current wife of Ben Wong's Samuel Ching. Other actors credited in guest capacities include veteran performer Mary Hon, Thomas Ng, Louis Szeto, , Cheng Ka Sang, and Tse Ho Yat, appearing in various minor roles across the 30-episode run without specified episode counts or character details in primary listings. These appearances supplemented the series' focus on internal police dynamics, providing brief insights into peripheral figures amid the central narrative.

Production

Development and Writing

The Defected was conceived as a modern emphasizing internal and power dynamics within Hong Kong's , developed through a co-production partnership between Television Broadcasts Limited () and Shanghai Penguin Pictures to leverage streaming platforms for broader distribution beyond traditional TVB audiences. This collaboration reflected TVB's strategic shift in the late toward joint ventures with entities, aiming to produce content with higher production values and cross-regional appeal while retaining Hong Kong-specific cultural and procedural authenticity. Producer and director So Man-chung, who had previously helmed successful TVB series such as , spearheaded the development, focusing on elevating the project's realism through consultations with active police personnel to depict accurate hierarchies, tactics, and ethical dilemmas. The writing team, including scriptwriter Chu King-king—who collaborated with So on prior projects—crafted a 30-episode centered on and , drawing direct inspiration from the documented sacrifices and career trajectories of 55 real police officers to ground fictional elements in verifiable operational challenges. Script development prioritized intricate plotting over formulaic resolutions, incorporating multiple layers of bureaucratic intrigue and moral ambiguity to differentiate it from standard TVB cop dramas, though some critics later noted pacing inconsistencies in the final execution. The underwent refinements to balance high-stakes action sequences with character-driven explorations of and institutional , ensuring alignment with 's broadcast standards while accommodating Tencent's input for potential adaptations.

Casting Process

Casting for The Defected commenced immediately following the completion of the full 30-episode script, adopting a movie-style production method akin to approaches in television dramas and films to assemble a high-caliber ensemble. This process prioritized actors capable of delivering intense, character-driven performances suited to the series' exploration of police intrigue and conspiracy. was selected as the first choice for the pivotal role of Man Hei-wah, an ambitious and ruthless officer aspiring to become Hong Kong's first female Commissioner of Police. Her casting drew from her acclaimed portrayal in the 2017 film The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful, where her commanding stage presence and charisma demonstrated suitability for the demanding lead antagonist. This marked Wai's return to dramas after a decade-long absence since 2010's No Regrets. Benjamin Yuen was cast in the male lead as Sheung Sing, a rising grappling with after a near-fatal shooting. To embody the character's physical and emotional toll, Yuen lost over 20 pounds during preparation. Philip Keung joined as Bingo Yau, an undercover officer with a complex alliance to Sheung Sing, drawn to the project by the script's quality and depth, as highlighted by director Carmen So. The script's appeal similarly facilitated recruitment of other seasoned performers, including Ben Wong as Sam Ching and Hui as Kan Kwok-chu, emphasizing TVB's strategy to leverage established talent for narrative authenticity.

Filming and Technical Aspects

Principal photography for The Defected occurred primarily in , with an emphasis on extensive on-location shooting to depict authentic urban and symbolic settings rather than relying on studio-built environments. This approach marked a departure from TVB's conventional use of artificial sets, allowing for a more realistic portrayal of operations and the city's dynamic street life. Key filming locations included , selected to capture the district's characteristic hectic pace and density, and the Gallant Garden, which appeared in nearly 1,000 shots as a recurring motif representing resilience and the spirit amid adversity. The production's co-financing by Penguin Pictures facilitated this location-heavy strategy, elevating the series' visual authenticity compared to standard dramas. Directed by So Man-chung, the series employed a cinematic production method modeled after television dramas and films, prioritizing narrative depth in human elements over action spectacle. was achieved using the AMIRA , which supported a high-quality, film-like aesthetic in the 16:9 format. This technical setup, combined with strategic pre-production scripting of all 30 episodes, enabled efficient on-site captures that enhanced the thriller's immersive tension.

Themes and Analysis

Internal Power Struggles and Bureaucracy

The series portrays the as rife with hierarchical rivalries, where senior officers engage in covert maneuvers to secure promotions and departmental control, often at the expense of frontline operations. Man Hei-wah, a formidable figure known as Madam Man, exemplifies this dynamic through her strategic alliances and confrontations with superiors and peers, highlighting how personal ambition intersects with institutional loyalty. Her role underscores the tension between merit-based advancement and political favoritism, as depicted in episodes where internal audits and resource allocations become battlegrounds for influence. Bureaucratic inertia is central to the narrative, illustrated by the Sheung Sing's post-injury into his own shooting, which reveals how procedural and compartmentalized intelligence protect corrupt networks within the top brass. The drama critiques the layered approval processes that delay responses to threats, forcing officers to navigate inter-departmental silos and conflicting directives from Internal Affairs. This portrayal draws from real-world inspirations of police oversight in , emphasizing causal chains where unchecked power consolidation leads to operational failures and ethical compromises. Power struggles manifest in specific conflicts, such as rivalries over undercover deployments, where Madam Man's decisions prioritize departmental stability over individual risks, resulting in sacrificed agents and eroded trust. The series attributes these dynamics to a culture of "sacrificing others for power," where promotions hinge on suppressing scandals rather than resolving them, as seen in Sheung's alliances with disillusioned colleagues against entrenched elites. Such elements reflect broader critiques of bureaucratic in , substantiated by the show's focus on triad-police entanglements exacerbated by internal divisions.

Heroism and Corruption in Law Enforcement

The Defected contrasts the heroism of frontline officers with the corruption endemic to senior leadership in the Hong Kong Police Force, portraying low-ranking detectives as resilient guardians of justice amid bureaucratic sabotage. Inspector Sheung Sing, the protagonist played by Benjamin Yuen, embodies this heroism after surviving a near-fatal headshot during a rescue operation, subsequently battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while pursuing investigations into triad activities and internal conspiracies. His determination reflects the series' emphasis on "iron detectives"—officers whose unyielding integrity persists despite physical and institutional obstacles. Undercover operative , portrayed by Philip Keung, further illustrates sacrificial heroism by defying orders to aid colleagues and upholding loyalty to the force even after being framed as a defector, ultimately dying in service to justice. Similarly, internal affairs officer Samuel Ching (Ben Wong) represents principled resistance from within, striving to enforce accountability despite his own vulnerabilities and opposition from superiors. These characters highlight a core theme articulated by writer Chu Kang-ki: the "strongest will" resides among the "weakest and lowest-ranking cops," who remain "rightful cops even until they reach the end of their lives." In opposition, the series depicts as a product of unchecked ambition among high-ranking officials, who prioritize personal advancement over public safety. Assistant Commissioner Man Hei-wah (), driven by her goal to become Hong Kong's first female , engages in manipulative schemes that indirectly enable criminal ties and result in officer deaths, exemplifying how "power tends to corrupt." Her rivalry with figures like Kan Kwok-Chu (Benz Hui) fuels internal power struggles, where promotions hinge on political maneuvering rather than merit, often obstructing frontline investigations into . This portrayal underscores causal dynamics in hierarchies, where senior self-interest erodes operational integrity, yet individual heroism enables eventual accountability. The narrative culminates in a vision of justice prevailing, affirming the societal role of in combating both external threats and internal decay, though reviewers note its optimistic resolution contrasts real-world complexities. Through realistic action sequences and character-driven conflicts, the series pays homage to 1990s dramas, prioritizing bravery and honor while critiquing ambition's corrosive effects.

Reception and Impact

Viewership and Commercial Performance

The Defected premiered on on April 1, 2019, recording an average viewership rating of 29.5 points for its debut episode, the highest-rated premiere for a TVB drama since 2018. This strong opening outperformed other 2019 releases and reflected effective promotional efforts positioning the series as a major production. Throughout its 30-episode run, the series sustained high audience engagement, achieving an overall average of 28.5 points and a weekly of 29.4 points for the period ending , 2019. These figures positioned it as TVB's most viewed drama of the year, surpassing competitors such as The Learning Curve of a Warlord (27.7 points average). The performance approached a potential overall peak of 30 points, aligning with TVB's top-rated serials from prior years like (30 points in 2016). Commercially, the series delivered returns on TVB's substantial investment, as elevated ratings directly boosted in a market where viewership points correlate with advertiser demand for prime-time slots. The production's success validated the network's strategy of funding high-profile crime thrillers, with the strong domestic performance facilitating international distribution, including availability on platforms like .

Critical Reception

The Defected received generally positive reception from entertainment observers and viewers, praised for its intricate plot involving internal conflicts and strong ensemble performances, though some critiques highlighted pacing issues and a convoluted resolution. On , the series holds a 7.1 out of 10 rating based on 98 user votes, reflecting appreciation for its exploration of dilemmas but noting occasional narrative drag. Reviewers commended the lead actors, particularly as Inspector Cheng and Renci Ye as the undercover officer, for delivering authentic portrayals of moral ambiguity in policing. Critics appreciated the series' deviation from typical TVB crime dramas by emphasizing bureaucratic intrigue and ethical gray areas over straightforward action, with one analysis describing it as a standout police thriller for its peak viewership and thematic depth. However, several reviews pointed to shortcomings, including choppy editing that disrupted tension and predictable twists in the latter episodes, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential despite a capable cast. The finale drew particular disappointment for resolving key conflicts in a rushed manner, undermining earlier buildup, though the overall production was rated above average for 's 2019 output. Audience feedback echoed professional sentiments, with forums highlighting the series' solid character arcs and suspenseful investigation elements as strengths, while acknowledging formulaic elements common to the genre. Niche drama sites positioned it as one of the better entries in TVB's lineup, crediting its joint production with for elevated production values, though lacking broader international critical analysis due to its regional focus.

Awards and Recognition

Kara Wai won the award at the 2019 , held on January 12, 2020, for her role as Chung Lai-wah in The Defected. This marked her first win in the category at the ceremony, recognizing her performance in a modern drama. At the 2019 , also secured the Best Actress in a Television Series for the same role, while received a for Best Performance by an Actor in a Modern Television Series as Senior Inspector Cheng Siu-ho. The series earned additional international recognition, including five nominations at the and a Finalist designation for its opening sequence at the Festivals TV & Film Awards. Despite strong acting accolades, The Defected did not win the TVB Anniversary Award for Best Drama, which went to .

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