The KBS drama ″Twelve″ is set to premiere on the 23rd at 9:20 PM. This eight-episode action hero series draws inspiration from the 12 zodiac signs of the East, telling the story of 12 angels living in human form as they combat evil forces. ″Twelve″ marks the inaugural entry in KBS’s newly established Saturday-Sunday miniseries block, part of a strategy aimed at expanding viewership through weekend dramas.

KBS dramas have faced declining viewership ratings since 2024, with most series failing to exceed 5% in ratings, excluding weekend and daily dramas. The current Wednesday-Thursday drama ″My Girlfriend is a Luv Man″ peaked at just 1.7%. In response to this trend, KBS has implemented a tentpole programming strategy to boost ratings.

There is considerable anticipation surrounding ″Twelve.″ Following this drama, KBS plans to air ″Good Day for Eun-soo,″ featuring Lee Young-ae, and a new historical drama titled ″The Great King″ is slated for release in 2026. The success of KBS’s programming strategy hinges on ″Twelve″ achieving strong viewership ratings.

Ma Dong-seok’s involvement adds to the drama’s allure, marking his first return to television in nine years since OCN’s ″Squad 38″ in 2016. He has previously attracted over 10 million viewers with the ″Outlaws″ series, and his presence is expected to enhance the drama’s appeal.

″Twelve″ features a remarkable cast, including Seo In-guk and Go Kyu-pil alongside Park Hyung-sik, Seo Dong-il, Lee Joo-bin, Kang Mi-na, Sung Yu-bin, Ahn Ji-hye, and Regina Ray. Production company Studio X+Y has positioned this project as a global endeavor, assembling a cast capable of resonating with international audiences.

The drama will also be available on the OTT platform Disney+, marking a shift from KBS dramas that were previously aired on Wavve. This strategy aims to reach not only domestic viewers but also a global audience. With its focus on thrilling action and impressive CGI, ″Twelve″ is generating high expectations.

Drawing from the folktale of the twelve zodiac animals, which hold significant cultural symbolism in the East, ″Twelve″ aims to deliver a unique viewing experience through its compelling narrative. The story revolves around characters with distinct powers, such as a tiger, monkey, dragon, and pig, as they unite to battle evil forces.

The question remains whether ″Twelve″ can break the current slump and revitalize KBS dramas. Many are eager to see if ″Twelve″ will herald a new era for KBS programming.