Although we're not even close to the end of this series in cantonese, I think (in my opinion) I saw enough of the series in mandarin (even without the HK actors' real voices) to really believe the casting of this series was amazing.
I thought this series was cast to near perfection and kudos to Poon Ka Tak, whom I give a lot of credit to because I believe he was the one who did the initial casting before Tommy Leung Ka Shu took over the filming and some of the script aspects. Damien was an excellent choice to lead such a drama and he once again proves, he has the charisma to stay in the spotlight despite such a star-studded cast. Liu Ging Sang was another I was really impressed with in terms of charisma because he has that presence and I thought he fit in just perfectly with Damien and Michael as the Wah brothers. He was not outshone by Damien and Michael, but much rather took the spotlight with them, and really made his character into something I believed.
Many others were in roles that were atypical of the ones they usually play or are casted in. Sheren, Jessica, and Michael did very well in their roles respectively and really made their respective characters special and unique to the storyline despite some cliches that were attached. They made their characters shine as opposed to the other way around. For the younger generation, Raymond, Feng Shao Feng, Myolie and Charmaine all brought out the best of their character and like I said with Sheren, Jessica and Michael, they made their characters special, not the other way around. Their respective characters were written and developed nicely and they portrayed them just as well.
Chemistry wise, the entire cast (from main to supporting to minor) just oozed (that sounds a bit odd, but I can't find a better word) chemistry and the individual relationships did just the same. Some of the older pairings work just as well (Raymond and Charmaine, Jessica and Joe, Ron and Toby) and some of the new couples had sparks fly for them as well (Michael and Sheren, Myolie and Feng Shao Feng). Even between other non-spousal relationships, such as Raymond and Feng Shao Feng, the Wah brothers of course, Sheren and Ng Wai Kwok (who played Ngai Tin Hang), Damien and Raymond, Charmaine and Ng Wai Kwok (mentor-student) and the list goes on, the chemistry factor still persists, which is why I stated the entire cast just oozed with chemistry.
Initially I hesititated about this series because I was afraid it would be another overhyped grand production, but my thoughts instantly changed after the first episode. While many thought the series started off a bit dry and boring, I thought it began quite nicely. The pace is great so far in terms of characterization because it gives room for each of the characters to develop and it gives the audience a chance to really get a 'feel' of the characters instead of where in some of the recent series lately, characters can change and just do a 180 personality overturn (Joe's character is a prime example esp. with the way his character started out and ended; nothing was too surprising nor drastic). Although this series didn't have the line-to-remember quotes that Heart of Greed earlier rode on, I thought the dialogue between the characters were equally as powerful, meangingful and just as thought out. They were subtle, but strong and it really made me ponder (this is where I feel like I'm drifting off topic and I feel like I'm writing a review for this series and it's not even half way).
This series initally made a name for itself from the star-studded cast and I believe that still holds true, but the characterization of the series's characters along with the near perfection casting and excellent script is what I personally believe makes it so grand and a wonderful series (of course others will beg to differ and this is solely my opinion).
I know some people may not be able to comment because the cantonese verison is just out, but I would love to hear from those who have seen the mandarin version or like me, some or most of it so far). And of course I have to apologize for such a long post, but I'm usually just a silent reader so I guess this is just an accumulation of what I have not posted so far.