Twelve (TV series)

Twelve
Promotional poster
Hangul
트웰브
RRTeuwelbeu
MRT'ŭwelbŭ
Genre
Written by
Directed by
  • Kang Dae-gyu
  • Han Yun-seon
Starring
Music by
Opening theme"Taesan"
by Tiger JK
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Park Jeong-hoon[2]
  • Park Mi-hyeon[2]
  • Son Jeong-hyeon[2]
Cinematography
  • Chae Jeong-suk[2]
  • Yoon Yeong-su[2]
EditorGo Ah-mo[2]
Running time45 minutes[1]
Production companies
Budget₩20 billion
Original release
NetworkKBS2
ReleaseAugust 23 (2025-08-23) –
September 14, 2025 (2025-09-14)

Twelve (Twe12ve, Korean: 트웰브) is a 2025 South Korean fantasy action superhero drama written by Kim Bong-han and Ma Dong-seok, directed by Kang Dae-gyu and Han Yun-seon, and starring Ma, Park Hyung-sik, Seo In-guk, Sung Dong-il, Lee Joo-bin, Ko Kyu-pil, Kang Mi-na, Sung Yoo-bin, Ahn Ji-hye, and Regina Lei. The drama revolves around the 12 angels and their struggles to protect the Korean Peninsula from evil spirits. It aired on KBS2 from August 23, to September 14, 2025, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST). The drama is also available for streaming on U+ Mobile TV in South Korea and on Disney+ in select regions.

Synopsis

Twelve heavenly beings led by Tae-san each represents one of the animals of the Eastern zodiac. Long ago, they sealed away a powerful demonic entity threatening the human world, resulting in the sacrifice of four of their own. The remaining eight angels, burdened by grief and guilt, withdrew from the mortal realm and vowed never to interfere again.

In the present day, the seal begins to weaken, and an ancient evil spirit named O-gwi resurfaces, intent on plunging the world into chaos. Wanting to prevent catastrophe, the zodiac angels must reunite and confront the growing threat.

Cast and characters

An angel symbolizing the tiger who protects the world with absolute power and is the leader of the 12 angels. He buries the four angels symbolizing the ox, rabbit, goat, and rooster who were sacrificed in a past battle deep in his heart, and lives in the human world while hiding his identity.
An evil spirit who confronts the angels with merciless power.
An angel symbolizing the monkey. He is a quick-witted and resourceful man who dreams of becoming the next leader after Tae-san.
The only human with special abilities chosen by God and the manager of the 12 angels. He stays by the side of the angels and helps them protect the human world.
An angel symbolizing the dragon. She lives with her special powers sealed along with evil spirits in a battle thousands of years ago.
An angel symbolizing the pig who works as a nurse at a Korean medicine clinic to help Bang-wool by vocalizing her thoughts. He has an agile body movement when fighting and can read minds.
An angel symbolizing the dog. She is as agile as a fighting dog when fighting and has a warm heart that never lets go of her desire to protect humans. She is able to locate demons.
An angel symbolizing the rat. He has a quick judgment that plays an indispensable role in the activities of the angels.
An angel symbolizing the horse.
An angel symbolizing the snake. She is a doctor of oriental medicine who treats all diseases of humans with medical techniques passed down from ancient times. She does not speak and relies on Don-yi to speak her thoughts.

Production

Development

The series is directed by Kang Dae-gyu, whose works include the movie Harmony (2010) and Pawn (2020), with Han Yun-seon. It is written by Kim Bong-han and Ma Dong-seok. Contents, Big Punch Pictures, Nova Film, Monster Union, The Contents On, and Studio X+U managed the production with the latter also taking on the planning.[4][5][6] The production cost was about ₩20 billion.[7]

Casting

In 2023, Ma Dong-seok reportedly received the series' script and was reviewing it well.[8] In 2024, Ji Chang-wook, Seo In-guk, Lee Joo-bin, Kang Mi-na, Sung Dong-il, and Ko Kyu-pil were reportedly cast and positively considering appearing.[9][10][11][12][13] Ma, Seo, Sung, Ko, Lee – along with Park Hyung-sik, Ahn Jihye, Kang Mi-na, Sung Yoo-bin, and Regina Lei – officially confirmed their appearances in October.[4][14]

Filming

Principal photography began at the end of October 2024.[4]

Release

Twelve premiered on KBS2 on August 23, 2025, and airs every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST).[15] It is also available for streaming on U+ Mobile TV in South Korea and Disney+ in select regions.[16]

Viewership

Twelve : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678
11.5911.2280.7720.5990.6480.4750.5850.4860.798
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[17]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[17]
Nationwide Seoul
1 August 23, 2025 8.1% (2nd) 7.2% (2nd)
2 August 24, 2025 5.9% (7th) 5.3% (8th)
3 August 30, 2025 4.2% (10th) 3.7% (13th)
4 August 31, 2025 3.1% (13th) 2.5% (16th)
5 September 6, 2025 3.4% (15th) 3.3% (14th)
6 September 7, 2025 2.6% (18th) 2.2% (20th)
7 September 13, 2025 3.0% (16th) 2.6% (19th)
8 September 14, 2025 2.4% (26th) —
Average 4.1% —
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

References

  1. ^ a b 트웰브 [Twelve]. The Contents On (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 프로그램정보 [Program Information]. KBS (in Korean). Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Grover, Ashima (October 31, 2024). "Park Hyung Sik, Ma Dong Seok's new superhero K-drama's casting lineup, featuring Seo In Guk, confirmed". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Yoo, Ji-hee (October 24, 2024). [단독] 마동석‧박형식‧서인국→안지혜...12지신 히어로물 '트웰브', 막강 라인업 [종합] [Exclusive: The line-up is complete! Ma Dong-seok, Park Hyung-sik, Seo In-guk, and Ahn Ji-hye set to cast in 12 zodiac hero series 'Twelve']. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 24, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  5. ^ Kim, Kyung-hee (October 31, 2024). 마동석 新유니버스'트웰브' 박형식, 서인국, 성동일, 이주빈, 고규필 등 라인업 완성 [Ma Dong-seok's New Universe 'Twelve' Completes Lineup with Park Hyung-sik, Seo In-guk, Sung Dong-il, Lee Joo-bin, and Ko Kyu-pil]. iMBC (in Korean). Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Ha, Soo-jong (July 25, 2025). '트웰브' 호랑이 천사 마동석vs악귀 박형식..제대로 붙었다 ['Twelve' Tiger Angel Ma Dong-seok vs. Demon Park Hyung-sik are fighting properly]. Osen news (in Korean). Retrieved July 25, 2025 – via Naver.
  7. ^ Lee, Jin-seok (September 5, 2025). 마동석, 이빨 빠진 호랑이[MD진단] [Ma Dong-seok plays Toothless Tiger]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved September 5, 2025 – via Naver.
  8. ^ Ha, Soo-jung (August 25, 2023). [단독] '천만배우' 마동석, 한반도 지키는 히어로된다..차기작은 '트웰브' [[Exclusive] 'Ten Million Actor' Ma Dong-seok Becomes a Hero Protecting the Korean Peninsula...Next Project is 'Twelve']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Ha, Soo-jung (April 9, 2024). [단독] '차기작 4편' 지창욱, 생애 첫 슈퍼히어로 될까 "'트웰브' 검토"(종합) [Exclusive: Ji Chang-wook in talks over superhero role in 'Twelve']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Yoo, Ji-hee (September 5, 2024). [단독] 서인국, 히어로된다...마동석‧지창욱 '트웰브' 합류 [Exclusive: Ma Dong-seok and Ji Chang-wook join Seo In-guk in 'Twelve']. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Kim, Ye-eun (September 7, 2024). [단독] 이주빈, 또 마동석 만난다...히어로물 '트웰브' 합류 [Exclusive: Lee Joo-bin reunites with Ma Dong-seok again in the action series 'Twelve']. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Jang, Woo-young (October 2, 2024). [단독] 강미나, 마동석→서인국 만난다... 히어로물 '트웰브' 합류 [Exclusive: Kang Mi-na and Ma Dong-seok join Seo In-guk in action series 'Twelve']. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Choi, Yoon-na (October 14, 2024). [단독] 성동일·고규필, 마동석→서인국 '트웰브' 합류 [Exclusive: Sung Dong-il and Go Kyu-pil join Ma Dong-seok and Seo In-guk in 'Twelve']. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). The Dong-A Ilbo, Co. Archived from the original on December 24, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Ha, Soo-jung (October 31, 2024). 히어로 마동석→악귀 박형식, '트웰브' 10人 캐스팅 확정 [공식] [Officially revealed: The group of 10-person lead actors in 'Twelve'. Hero Ma Dong-seok and Demon Park Hyung-sik are included.]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 2, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Tae, Yu-na (June 30, 2025). [공식] 시청률 0%만 5번째인데... 마동석·이영애 내세운 KBS "토일극 신설, 텐트폴 편성" [Official: The fifth KBS drama without viewership ratings is the one starring Ma Dong-seok and Lee Young-ae]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 6, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Park, Soo-in (June 30, 2025). 마동석, 이번엔 천사된다... 12지신 유니버스 '트웰브' 8월23일 공개 확정 [Ma Dong-seok becomes an angel this time: The drama about 12 zodiac universe 'Twelve' confirmed to premiere on August 23]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  17. ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
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