# Steven Ma

Steven Ma Chun Wai (born 26 October 1971) is a Hong Kong actor and singer. In 1993, Ma won a record deal after winning first place at an annual singing contest in Hong Kong, later releasing his debut album, Lucky for Meeting You (幸運就是遇到你), that December. Not long after his singing debut, Ma joined TVB and began filming television dramas, later achieving fame through his supporting role in 1995's legal drama File of Justice IV. Many of Ma's television works are critically acclaimed and are popular successes in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Southeast Asia, he has starred in several popular TV series, most notably Healing Hands (1998), Return of the Cuckoo (2000), Where the Legend Begins (2002), Steps (2007), A Watchdog's Tale (2009–10), Ghost Writer (2010), The Life and Times of a Sentinel (2011), Storm in a Cocoon (2014) and Deep in the Realm of Conscience (2018). Ma currently holds the record for holding the most "Favourite Character" awards with a total of four recognitions. Ma's best known for his portrayals of historical characters in many period television dramas.

## Early life

Ma was born on 26 October 1971 at Shep Kip Mei in Kowloon, He was from family of "grassroots" background. He was raised in the Pak Tin Estate in Sham Shui Po and lived with his father, a bus driver, his mother, three older sisters, and one younger sister. He attended the Pak Tin Catholic Primary School and later the CMA Secondary School. Ma was graduate Master of Business Administration at Peking University and same year He start to study basic Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong Baptist University in 2020.

## Music career

In 1993, Ma won first place at an annual singing contest in Hong Kong, also winning a record deal. He released his debut album, Lucky for Meet You (幸運就是遇到你), that December. To promote the album, his record label created the slogan "He's not Leon Lai, he's not Jacky Cheung" to describe Ma's singing talent, which caused their fans to criticise and badmouth Ma. However, when Ma's contract terminated, Warners did not want to renew their contract.
In 2013, Ma fought in the music scene and participated in the new song 《給媽媽的「倦」》 in the name 「二牛」.

## TV career
### 1993-2003

In 1993, Ma signed a per series contract with TVB and portrayed minor roles in various television dramas. In 1994, Ma was cast as the supporting character Dr. Stephen Chan Cheuk-yiu in the fourth instalment of the popular legal drama File of Justice series. The drama was a popular success, and Ma gained his first footstep into TVB series. His portrayal of the intelligent Hong-hei Emperor in the 1998 remake of the popular wuxia novel The Duke of Mount Deer garnered even more interest from critics and producers alike, and Ma began earning leading roles.
In 1998, Ma filmed the ever-popular TV series, "Healing Hands", but unlike his carefree and sunny disposition Dr. Joe character in the said series, from 1998 until his mother's death, Ma was actually deeply depressed over the rapidly declining health of his mother, a cancer patient of 22 years. His mother's death in July 1999 totally devastated him. For months he isolated himself in his bedroom to deal with the pain of losing his beloved mother. Ma eventually put aside his pain to get on with his life. In 2002 he set up a publishing company, and in the same year he published the first of his book series of: Steven Ma's True Tales of Society with Why Suicide? (2002) followed up Steven Ma's Tales of Society: I Am the Patient's Family (2003).
Ma's portrayal of the historical figure Cho Chik in the drama Where the Legend Begins (2002) was both a popular and critical success. Following Where was the popular but critically mixed Perish in the Name of Love (2003), a 30-part television drama remake of the famous Cantonese opera Di Nü Hua. Gradually, Ma began filming more dramas with historical or period backgrounds, in which Ma subsequently became known for.

### 2005-2006

Ma made acting in the series Virtues of Harmony II, the modern spin-off of the sitcom, Virtues of Harmony, he collaborated with the winner of the 2004 Miss Chinese International Pageant, Linda Chung.
Ma is also the first actor to win the My Favourite Male Character award at the 2006 TVB Anniversary Awards through his performance in the 2006 low-budget period drama Safe Guards (2006).

### 2007-2011

In 2007, Ma performed in The Brink of Law and A Change of Destiny. In the same year, Ma starred in Steps which he have been nominated in TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 10), nominated in TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 10) and nominated in Astro Drama Awards for Most Unforgettable Kiss (with Bernice Liu).
In 2008, Ma collaborated with Linda Chung in A Journey Called Life which he praise his co-star Linda Chung, for her beauty, good manner, and ripe acting. The two have worked together in a previous collaboration of Virtues of Harmony II. In 2009 and 2010, Ma again collaborated with Linda Chung with two series, A Watchdog's Tale and Ghost Writer. A Watchdog's Tale released in 2009 actually, but the series got the highest audience rating in the first season in 2010 and top five series in audience rating in the whole year. Meanwhile, Ghost Writer released in 2010 with Ma won Astro Drama Awards for My Top 10 Favourite TV Characters and have been nominated in TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5)
In 2010, Ma performed in Links to Temptation with Fala Chen. He and Fala Chen previously work together in Steps, A Journey Called Life and Ghost Writer.
In 2011, Ma filmed in 7 Days in Life where he played Calvin Yik Cho-on (易早安), a professional thief who, along with his girlfriend Christy (played by Sonija Kwok), robs the irresponsible rich and donates a portion of their stolen fortune to charity. Ma considers Calvin to be one of his first breakthrough roles in his acting career. He also expressed many times in interviews that he wants to try out a villain role, explains that Calvin is "a jerk. He's horny, greedy, and even abducts children, but he's actually a very complex character. He has a painful secret that haunts him." Ma further said, "I can now finally challenge a character who is somewhat villainous." Leung (Executive producer(s)) remarked that Calvin is "so evil that he oozes juice" (a Cantonese phrase meaning "pure evil") but Ma argues that Calvin does have a softer side to him and that he's not completely heartless. The role requires Ma to consistently speak Thai, and he carries a dictionary to the film set every day. Later, Ma performed in The Life and Times of a Sentinel. He played Nip Dor-po (聶多寶). Ma says that Dor-po is the most complicated character he has come across. "I have to officially protect the three (Hao-chong, Hong-hei, and Fuk-tsuen), but at the same time, the three are using me to deal with each other [...] but Hao-chong wants me to die, [Fuk-tsuen] wants me to die, and how can I find ways to save myself and Hong-hei?"

### 2012-2014: Left TVB, work with TVB independently

Ma collaborated with Linda Chung in TVB drama comedy series Daddy Good Deeds who he played Lam Fa's (林發) character, friend and boyfriend to Ko Yu-chu (高如珠) (character played by Linda Chung). Ma praised Linda Chung that her professional attitude and acting, Ma also mentioned that she was still maintaining the purity of heart and having progress in her acting continually. He and Linda Chung collaborated five times in TVB, was a terrific couple on screen. Later, Ma left TVB because he do not want to renew his contract and joined Hutchison Telecom in January 2012, which ended his 19 years tenure at TVB. Later in August the same year, he announced that he would return to TVB in April 2013 as a head contract. However he has continued to work with TVB independently, starring in their 2014 TVB series, Storm in a Cocoon with Tavia Yeung, Natalie Tong and Evergreen Mak. Ma also filming a new show named Property Protector.

### 2018-present: Comeback

Ma made a comeback in the TVB series Deep in the Realm of Conscience collaborated with Nancy Wu which he played role as Li Longji. In June 2018, Ma perform a stage play that represents Xu Zhimo. In July 2018, he will move to Singapore to hold two stage performances. In September 2018, he went to Beijing to start a two-year EMBA study career, and in January 2019 he will play another stage play. And in April 2019, he would also shoot his first movie.

## Personal life

After his mother died in 1999, he suffered from depression and panic disorder. He got out of clinical depression in 2007, but the panic disorder remains, and he is depending on medication for it.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1996 | Lost and Found | | |
| 2000 | When a Man Loves a Woman | | |
| 2000 | To Where He Belongs | Fung | |
| 2001 | Doctor No... | Lok | |
| 2005 | Snake Curse | Kwan Wai | |
| 2014 | Next Station I Love You | | |
| 2015 | Return of the Cuckoo | Szto Lai-sun | Special guest appearance |
| 2019 | Till We Meet Again | | also director |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1993 | Mind Your Own Business | Wai | |
| 1994 | Twilight Tubes | | |
| 1994 | Hangzhou and Ninbo Tour Special Program | Himself | Host |
| 1994 | Splendid Motherland | Himself | Guest host |
| 1995 | File of Justice IV | Dr. Stephen Chan Cheuk-yiu | |
| 1995 | When a Man Loves a Woman | Steven Au-yeung Kam | |
| 1995 | America's Disneyland Tour | Himself | Host |
| 1995 | England Tour | Himself | Host |
| 1996 | Behind the Beauty | Fung | Television film |
| 1997 | File of Justice V | Dr. Stephen Chan Cheuk-yiu | |
| 1997 | Metro of Appeal | himself | Guest host |
| 1998 | The Duke of Mount Deer | Hong-hei Emperor | |
| 1998 | Healing Hands | Dr. Joe Cheung Ka-yu | |
| 1998 | ICAC Investigators 1998 | Chiu Man-tak | Episode: "Special Passage" |
| 1998 | ICAC on Not-for-Sale Items | Himself | Host |
| 1999 | Ultra Protection | Kei Yin-jo | |
| 2000 | Return of the Cuckoo | Szeto Lai-shun | |
| 2000 | Healing Hands II | Dr. Joe Cheung Kar-yu | |
| 2001 | On the Track or Off | Kam Yuen | TVB Anniversary Award for My Top 13 Favourite Television Characters |
| 2001 | In the Realm of Success | Chu Ho-yin | |
| 2002 | Where the Legend Begins | Cho Chi-kin (Cho Chik) | TVB Anniversary Award for My Top 12 Favourite Television Characters Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5) |
| 2003 | Perish in the Name of Love | Chow Sai-hin | TVB Anniversary Award for My Top 12 Favourite Television Characters |
| 2003 | Better Halves | Chuen Ka-fuk | |
| 2004 | Cul-de-sac | Sung Ka-fai | Television film |
| 2004 | Dark Shadow | Au Ho-man / Choi Wing-kei / Lee Sai-kit | Television film |
| 2005 | Virtues of Harmony II | Ivan Sze Chi-shan | Pairs up with Linda Chung Sitcom regular Episodes 343–443 |
| 2006 | Safe Guards | Sheung Chi | TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 20) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste |
| 2006 | Land of Wealth | Cheung Shung-man | Hong Kong of the Decade: Wangyu Award for Best Dramatic Actor |
| 2006 | Zhaojun Chu Sai | Wang Mang | aka Wang Zhaojun Goes Beyond the Borders |
| 2007 | The Brink of Law | Tong Chi-ko | |
| 2007 | A Change of Destiny | Yuen Hei | |
| 2007 | Steps | Ching Ka-jun | Pairs up with Bernice Liu Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 10) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 10) Nominated – Astro Drama Awards for Most Unforgettable Kiss (with Bernice Liu) |
| 2008 | The Gentle Crackdown II | Tse Wong-sheung (謝皇上) | Pairs up with Yumiko Cheng StarHub TVB Awards for My Favourite Male TVB Character |
| 2008 | A Journey Called Life | Shing Yat-on (成日安) | Pairs up with Linda Chung |
| 2009 | That Was Then | Himself | Voice-over; 13 episodes Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Variety Show (Top 5) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Most Enjoyable Programme (Top 5) |
| 2009 | Sweetness in the Salt | Nip Chi-yuen (聶致遠) | Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 10) |
| 2009–10 | A Watchdog's Tale | Chow Yung-kung (周用恭) | Pairs up with Linda Chung Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5) |
| 2010 | Apprentice Chef | Himself | Host; 18 episodes Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Host (Top 5) |
| 2010 | Cupid Stupid | Chi Yat-po (池一寶) | Warehoused; released on DVD |
| 2010 | Ghost Writer | Po Chung-ling (蒲松齡) | Pairs up with Linda Chung Astro Drama Awards for My Top 10 Favourite TV Characters Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5) |
| 2010-11 | Links to Temptation | Wilson Shing Wai-shun (成偉信) | Pairs up with Fala Chen |
| 2011 | 7 Days in Life | Calvin Yik Cho-on (易早安) | Pairs up with Sonija Kwok |
| 2011 | Book of Words 2 | Himself | Host; 28 episodes |
| 2011 | Apprentice Chef 2 | Himself | Host Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Host |
| 2011 | The Life and Times of a Sentinel | Nip Dor-po/Kei Chun-kit/Prince Wing (聶多寶) | Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 15) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 15) |
| 2012 | Daddy Good Deeds | Lam Fat (林發) | Pairs up with Linda Chung Supporting Role 男配角 |
| 2012 | Legend of Yuan Empire Founder | Liu Bingzhong (劉秉忠) | |
| 2012 | Yuen Yang Pei | Li Lai Fu / Tang Ting Xuan | |
| 2014 | Storm in a Cocoon | Poon Ka Yeung (潘家揚) | Pairs up with Tavia Yeung 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一 |
| 2018 | Heart and Greed | Lee Ming Kei (李明基) | Guest appearance |
| 2018 | Deep in the Realm of Conscience | Li Longji (李隆基) | Pairs up with Nancy Wu One of the three Male Leads 三大男主角之一 |

## Discography

* 1993: Lucky for Meeting You (幸運就是遇到你)
* 1994: Heading Towards You Now (這刻向你衝)
* 1995: Deep Passion – New Songs + Special Selection (濃情—新曲+精選)
* 1996: I Was Also Drunk Before (我也曾醉過) – Mandarin Chinese record
* 1997: Honey (蜜糖)
* 1998: DAYNIGHT
* 1999: Lifestyle
* 2000: Lifestyle II
* 2001: Give Me 3'07" (給我3'07")
* 2001: My Most Missed – New Songs + Special Selection (我最關心—新歌+精選)
* 2002: Warner Best MV of 25 Years Karaoke VCD – Various Artist I (華納精采視聽25載卡拉OK VCD叱吒傳奇 – 叱吒群星I)
** 05. "Long Nights, Many Dreams" (夜長夢多)
* 2002: Warner Best MV of 25 Years Karaoke VCD – Various Artist II (華納精采視聽25載卡拉OK VCD叱吒傳奇 – 叱吒群星II)
** 11. "Don't Be Sad" (不再悲觀)
* 2002: Warner Best MV of 25 Years Karaoke VCD – Various Artist III (華納精采視聽25載卡拉OK VCD叱吒傳奇 – 叱吒群星III)
** "Lucky for Meeting You" (幸運就是遇到你)
* 2002: Greatest Hits Steven – New Songs + Special Selection
* 2002: Don't Shut In & Self-Abuse (切勿自閉、糟蹋自己)
* 2003: New Princess Cheung-ping (新帝女花)
* 2003: My Theme Song (我的主題曲)
* 2006: EEG TVB Kids Song Selection (EEG TVB 兒歌大放送)
** 11. "After School ICU" (After School ICU Theme)
* 2008: Love TV (Love TV 情歌精選)
** 04. "Little Story" (A Journey Called Life Theme)
* 2009: Love TV 2 (Love TV 情歌精選 2)
** 14. "How to Say Love" (Sweetness in the Salt Theme)

## Collaborate

Steven Ma had collaborated with actress where there is a terrific couple on screen.
| Actress | Times | Drama |
| Linda Chung | 5 | Virtues of Harmony II (2005), A Journey Called Life (2008), A Watchdog's Tale (2009–10), Ghost Writer (2010), Daddy Good Deeds (2012) |
| Tavia Yeung | 2 | Sweetness in the Salt (2009), Storm in a Cocoon (2014) |
| Sonija Kwok | 2 | Land of Wealth (2006), 7 Days in Life (2011) |
| Bernice Liu | 2 | The Brink of Law (2007). Steps (2007) |
| Charmaine Sheh | 2 | Return of the Cuckoo (2000), Perish in the Name of Love (2003) |
| Ada Choi | 2 | On the Track or Off (2001), Where the Legend Begins (2002) |
| Nancy Wu | 1 | Deep in the Realm of Conscience (2018) |
| Selena Li | 1 | The Life and Times of a Sentinel (2011) |
| Fala Chen | 1 | Links to Temptation (2010-2011) |
| Yumiko Cheng | 1 | The Gentle Crackdown II (2008) |
| Shirley Yeung | 1 | A Change of Destiny (2007) |
| Elaine Yiu | 1 | Safe Guards (2006) |

## Other works

Other works :
| Year | Work | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | Francis Yip and The Phil '98: Simply the Best Concert | Himself | Live concert; guest star |
| 2000 | Fai Wong True Friendship 2000 Concert | Himself | Live concert; guest star |
| 2007 | Hamlet | Prince Hamlet | Stage play |
| 2008 | Joyce Koi and HKCO III Concert | Himself | Live concert; guest star |

## Television songs

| Year | Title | TV series | Type | Album | Other notes |
| 1995 | "Hoping to Love You Forever" (願望用一生愛你) | File of Justice IV | Sub-theme | Honey | |
| 1997 | "Not Suppose to Happen" (不應該發生) | File of Justice V | Sub-theme | Honey | |
| 1998 | "The Skies Above" (頭頂一片天) | The Duke of Mount Deer | Ending theme | DAYNIGHT | |
| 1998 | "Once" (曾經幾許) | Healing Hands | Sub-theme | DAYNIGHT | |
| 1998 | "Miss You Finally" | Healing Hands | Sub-theme | DAYNIGHT | |
| 1999 | "Good Morning, Good Night" (早安晚安) | Ultra Protection | Theme | Lifestyle | |
| 2001 | "Wanting to Fly" (想飛) | On the Track of Off | Theme | Give Me 3'07" | |
| 2001 | "Let Me Go First" (讓我先走) | On the Track or Off | Sub-theme | Give Me 3'07" | |
| 2001 | "Caring You" (重視你) | In the Realm of Success | Theme | My Most Missed | |
| 2001 | "My Most Missed" (我最關心) | In the Realm of Success | Theme | My Most Missed | |
| 2002 | "Angel in the Water (水中仙) | Where the Legend Begins | Theme | Greatest Hits Steven | |
| 2002 | "Flowing Sand (流沙) | Where the Legend Begins | Ending theme | Greatest Hits Steven | with Rain Lee |
| 2003 | "Daughter's Fragrant Soul" (帝女芳魂) | Perish in the Name of Love | Theme | New Princess Cheung-ping | with Charmaine Sheh |
| 2003 | "Confess" (錯認) | Perish in the Name of Love | Ending theme | New Princess Cheung-ping | |
| 2003 | "Soldiers and Chariots (兵車還) | Perish in the Name of Love | Sub-theme | New Princess Cheung-ping | |
| 2003 | "Good Men of the Lands" (萬民萬家都好漢) | Perish in the Name of Love | Sub-theme | New Princess Cheung-ping | |
| 2003 | "Beautiful Fate" (美麗緣份) | Better Halves | Theme | My Theme Song | |
| 2003 | "Loving String" (情牽一線) | Better Halves | Sub-theme | My Theme Song | with Maggie Cheung Ho-yee |
| 2006 | "Home of Friends" (會友之鄉) | Safe Guards | Theme | Singing Every Year (唱旺年年) | |
| 2007 | "Breakthrough" (突圍) | At the Brink of Law | Theme | Singing Every Year | with Ron Ng |
| 2007 | "Counting Destiny" (天數) | A Change of Destiny | Theme | | with Joel Chan |
| 2008 | "Wolf and Goat" (豺狼與羊) | The Gentle Crackdown II | Theme | Super Model (超模) | with Yumiko Cheng |
| 2008 | "Little Story" (小故事) | A Journey Called Life | Theme | Love TV | with Linda Chung |
| 2009 | "How to Say Love" (愛怎麼說) | Sweetness in the Salt | Theme | Love TV 2 | with Tavia Yeung |
| 2009 | "A Watchdog's Tale" (老友狗狗) | A Watchdog's Tale | Theme | | with Linda Chung |
| 2010 | "Heard" (聽說) | Cupid Stupid | Theme | | |
| 2010 | "Clear Thought" (心竅) | Ghost Writer | Theme | | |
| 2011 | "Changing Sky" (變天) | The Life and Times of a Sentinel | Theme | | |
| 2014 | "Heaven's Fate" (天意) | Storm in a Cocoon | Theme | | |
| 2018 | Moon and Sea (明月與海) | Deep in the Realm of Conscience | Sub Theme | | with Nancy Wu |

## Awards and nominations
### 2018

* 2018: (TVB Anniversary Gala) My Favourite TVB Drama Character (Singapore) Nomination (Deep in the Realm of Conscience)
* 2018: (TVB Anniversary Gala) My Favourite TVB Drama Character (Malaysia) Nomination(Deep in the Realm of Conscience)

## Publications

* September 2002: Steven Ma's Veritable Records of Society I: Why Commit Suicide? (馬浚偉社會實錄I-點解要自殺?)
* May 2003: Steven Ma's Veritable Records of Society II: I Am the Patient's Family (馬浚偉社會實錄II-我是病人家屬)
* May 2004: Steven ma's Veritable Records of Society III: To Good Direction, To Bad Direction (馬浚偉社會實錄III-向好走 向壞走)
* July 2003: The Women In Ma Jai's Eyes (馬仔眼中的女人)
* July 2008: Correct Designs (圖文並謬)
* July 2011: Steven Ma comfortable Eating Attitudes (馬浚偉自在飲食態度)