₩500 million (approximately 360,000 USD), that’s the fee per episode for actor Ma Dong Seok on KBS-2TV’s 'TWELVE'. With eight episodes, he earned a total of ₩4 billion (approx. 2.9 million USD). Park Hyung Sik, who played Oh-gwi, received the second-highest fee — ₩400 million (approx. 290,000 USD) per episode, totaling ₩3.2 billion (approx. 2.3 million USD).
Other cast members, including Sung Dong Il, Seo In Guk, Kang Mina, Ye Soo Jung, Lee Joo Bin, Ko Kyu Pil, Kim Chan Hyung, and Regina Lei, were reportedly paid significantly less, with their combined total not exceeding ₩1 billion (approx. 720,000 USD).
The overall production cost of 'TWELVE' is estimated at around ₩22–23 billion (approx. 15.8–16.5 million USD). LG U+ invested ₩18 billion (approx. $12.9 million USD), KBS (via Monster Union) contributed ₩4 billion (approx. 2.9 million USD), and food companies, including a tteokbokki and chicken brand, pitched in another ₩200–300 million each (approx. 145,000–215,000 USD).
In short, the actor guarantees were heavily skewed toward Ma Dong Seok and Park Hyung Sik, together accounting for roughly 34% of the production budget. Once you subtract the fees for scriptwriters Kim Bong Han and Ma Dong Seok himself, and directors Kang Dae Gyu and Han Yoon Sun, the pure production budget is even slimmer.
'TWELVE' is a big-budget fantasy action drama. Unlike other genres, fantasy demands higher spending on makeup, props, and CG-heavy post-production. With the storyline centered around the twelve zodiac gods, careful plotting was essential, meaning more investment in the scriptwriting process.
Yet, the actor fees alone exceeded 30% of the entire budget, a figure that inevitably impacted the final product. One industry insider noted: “Lead actor fees should ideally stay within 10–15% of the total budget. If it exceeds 40%, production becomes impossible. Even 30% is too high.”
Another source commented: “In the case of TWELVE, the leads’ fees were disproportionately high. Fantasy relies heavily on post-production. The CG quality clearly suffered due to the limited budget left over.”
“For fantasy dramas, realism is achieved through heavy CG work and that takes money. It’s no coincidence that Netflix often casts lesser-known actors for fantasy series.” ( - Drama insider)
Of course, there’s also the irony of casting top stars. Without offering ₩500 million per episode to Ma Dong Seok, the drama may never have been greenlit. Without promising Park Hyung Sik ₩400 million per episode, international sales might have stalled.
Still, it’s hard to brush it off as “inevitable.” The show’s plummeting viewership tells a different story. The premiere drew 8.1% viewership (Nielsen Korea, nationwide), as fans tuned in hoping for Ma Dong Seok’s signature punch. But those viewers dropped off quickly, episode by episode.
The drama struggled across the board. The plot was riddled with gaps. The central conflict between angels and demons was poorly executed. Even Ma Dong Seok’s trademark humor felt out of place.
Visually, it resembled a children’s fantasy series. The ancient-era costumes often prompted unintentional laughter. Wigs worn by Sung Dong Il (as Marok) and Ko Kyu Pil (as Donnie) looked like something out of Surprise Mystery TV. The CGI was clunky.
PPL (product placement) was another issue. Eating scenes were shoved in without context. By the finale, the drama seemed to give up altogether, wrapping up the final battle in just 20 minutes and cutting to a tteokbokki dinner party. The last episode ended with a dismal 2.4% rating.
Still, LG U+ is said to have successfully recouped its investment. KBS also turned a profit through advertising. Ma Dong Seok and Park Hyung Sik earned what they were paid for. The only ones short-changed were the viewers.
According to OTT ranking site FlixPatrol, 'TWELVE' placed 6th among TV shows on Disney+, particularly in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
TWELVE was designed as a multi-season series from the beginning, with the production team reportedly planning up to Season 4. The final scene of episode 8 even hints at this, with Taesan’s changing eyes signaling the demon’s return.
But what’s needed now is Ma Dong Seok’s honest reflection. After all, he planned this project, cast himself, starred in it, choreographed the action, co-wrote the script, and even contributed to on-site directing. Naturally, viewers are asking whether his hefty paycheck was truly justified.
If Season 2 happens, the writing needs serious improvement. The fantasy-action elements should be expanded, and post-production must be prioritized. What audiences want is not endless eating scenes of chicken and tteokbokki, but a real, immersive fantasy experience.
SEE ALSO: 'Twelve' starring Ma Dong Seok hits lowest rating yet
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