KBS’s Twelve (Korean title: 트웰브), which premiered in August 2025, sets out with a bold idea: reimagining the Chinese zodiac as a team of modern-day guardians living in Seoul. Fronted by Ma Dong-seok and packed with cinematic action, the series clearly aims for the scale and energy of a superhero blockbuster. On paper, it sounds like Korea’s answer to The Avengers. On screen, it often looks the part too.
Yet for all its visual power, Twelve struggles to turn spectacle into sustained emotional impact. The world-building is rich, the mythology intriguing, but the storytelling rarely slows down enough to let its characters and themes breathe. It’s an ambitious project that entertains in bursts, even if it never fully settles into a confident rhythm. For viewers searching for large-scale fantasy with a Korean twist, the show is now available on YouCine and you can download YouCine to see whether its mix of myth and action works for you.
A Strong Concept Hampered by Cluttered Storytelling
The core idea is instantly appealing. Twelve celestial beings, each linked to a zodiac animal, have lived among humans for centuries after sealing away a primordial demon. When that entity—Gwi, a raven-winged force of destruction portrayed by Park Hyung-sik—returns, the scattered guardians must reunite under the leadership of Tae-san (Ma Dong-seok), the embodiment of the tiger.
The opening episodes promise a sweeping urban fantasy, blending ancient legend with modern Seoul. However, the narrative soon becomes crowded. With multiple heroes, reincarnations, secret cults, financial fronts, and long-standing grudges to explain, the eight-episode structure feels tight. Important lore is often delivered through dense dialogue instead of visual storytelling, and emotional turning points arrive before viewers have time to fully connect with the people involved. What should feel epic sometimes feels hurried.
Ma Dong-seok’s Commanding Presence Amid Underdeveloped Characters
Ma Dong-seok is, without question, the show’s emotional anchor. His Tae-san carries the weight of leadership and regret with the same grounded intensity he brings to his action roles. In quieter moments, his performance hints at years of loss and responsibility, adding much-needed gravity to the supernatural chaos.
The rest of the ensemble, however, is less fortunate. Park Hyung-sik brings style and menace to Gwi, but the villain’s inner logic remains vague, making him more of a striking symbol than a fully rounded antagonist. Other zodiac guardians are introduced with colorful traits—the witty monkey, the enigmatic snake, the loyal dog—but their personal histories and motivations remain thinly sketched. As a result, the team dynamic never reaches the emotional cohesion that the premise suggests.
Spectacle Over Substance in Production Values
Visually, Twelve rarely disappoints. Fight scenes are heavy, kinetic, and confidently staged, especially when Ma Dong-seok is involved. The supernatural effects—glowing animal auras, shadowy wings, bursts of elemental power—are polished and imaginative. Seoul itself becomes a character, its neon streets contrasting sharply with hidden celestial spaces.
Still, the series leans too heavily on action to carry its middle stretch. Several episodes repeat similar confrontations without significantly advancing the story or deepening character relationships. By the time the finale arrives, it attempts to resolve too many conflicts at once, resulting in a conclusion that feels more rushed than earned.
A Missed Opportunity for Thematic Depth
Beneath the surface, Twelve flirts with meaningful ideas: immortals living as flawed humans, the cost of eternal duty, and the moral grey zones that come with protecting a world that is never truly grateful. The concept of celestial beings running an underground loan business, for example, hints at a fascinating tension between divine purpose and human compromise.
Unfortunately, these themes are often touched on rather than explored. Emotional moments rely on familiar dramatic cues instead of slow, character-driven development. The show gestures toward questions of sacrifice and redemption, but rarely sits with them long enough to leave a lasting impression.
Verdict: Style and Punch, but Lacking a Soul
Twelve is a series that looks better than it feels. It boasts a powerful lead performance, impressive production values, and a mythological framework with real potential. What holds it back is an overpacked narrative and characters who seldom move beyond their archetypes.
For fans of fantasy action and Korean genre television, it remains an enjoyable, fast-moving watch—especially for those who appreciate large-scale visuals and high-concept worlds. It may not become a classic, but it is far from forgettable. If you’re curious to explore this zodiac-inspired universe, you can stream Twelve on YouCine. Simply download Youcine and decide for yourself whether its blend of ancient myth and modern spectacle strikes the right balance.
Final Score: 6.5/10