‘Twelve’ actor Ma Dong-seok transforms into tiger angel in fantasy action drama

Actor Ma Dong-seok poses during a press conference for KBS2’s weekend drama “Twelve” at the Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Actor Ma Dong-seok is poised to unleash his trademark power-packed action once again, this time as a tiger-inspired celestial warrior in the upcoming fantasy series "Twelve."

Co-produced by KBS2 and Disney+, the drama, premiering Sept. 21, reimagines the Eastern zodiac as 12 guardians who take human form to protect humanity from dark forces.

The cast and crew gathered at the Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung District on Wednesday for press conference to promote the drama. Directors Kang Dae-gyu and Han Yoon-sun were joined by Ma Dong-seok, Park Hyung-sik, Seo In-guk, Lee Joo-bin, Kang Mina, Sung Yoo-bin, Ahn Ji-hye and Taiwanese actress Regina Lei.

"Twelve" follows 12 celestial guardians who draw their strength from the animal spirits of the zodiac to battle evil.

Ma, who also helped develop the story, recalled its origins. “Director Han and I began writing together with the idea of guardian angels who live among humans and fight against dark forces," he said. "I’ve always wanted to bring an Eastern-flavored superhero story to life.”

Director Kang emphasized the importance of grounding the mythological elements in a believable structure, while co-director Han noted, “We wanted to balance fast-paced action with the warmth of a family-like ensemble.”

Ma plays Tae San, the tiger angel and leader of the celestial warriors, combining his trademark physicality with an otherworldly presence.

“Since the series doesn’t show literal transformations into animals, I wanted to capture the essence instead," Ma said. "That’s why I incorporated tiger-inspired details, like leopard print costumes, and infused my fight scenes with the raw power of a tiger’s front paw.”

He said that "Twelve" is about heroes who descend not with superpowers in capes, but as angels rooted in Korean mythology and spiritual imagination. “I wanted to show a character that is both strong and deeply humane.”

Park Hyung-sik portrays O Gwi, the rabbit guardian, in "Twelve." Yonhap

Alongside Ma, the drama features an ensemble of top stars portraying different zodiac guardians. Park Hyung-sik plays the rabbit guardian, Seo In-guk the snake guardian, and Kim Ji-won the horse guardian, while Kim Woo-bin, Honey Lee, and others round out the celestial lineup. Together, they are tasked with defending humanity from chaos unleashed by dark forces.

Park Hyung-sik said, “It’s a fantasy action hero series unlike anything seen before in Korea. I hope viewers will give it lots of love and attention.”

Seo In-guk, portraying the monkey guardian, trained in parkour to embody his character’s agility. “I wanted unique movement that matched the animal’s nature, so I worked with a parkour team to build action sequences around cityscapes and obstacles,” he said.

The production team said that “Twelve” is not just another fantasy saga but a Korean reinterpretation of the hero genre, weaving together action spectacle, cultural motifs and moral allegory.

Co-produced by KBS and Disney+, the drama is also expected to reach a global audience upon release. The involvement of Disney+ reflects rising international demand for K-dramas that blend local storytelling with universal appeal.

Seo In-guk plays Won Seung, the monkey guardian, in "Twelve." Yonhap

Ma praised the camaraderie of the ensemble. “The cast are not only talented but wonderful people, which made even the toughest shoots enjoyable," he said.

Seo echoed the sentiment, saying he was grateful to rekindle his on-screen chemistry with Ma from their previous collaboration.

Taiwanese actress Regina Lei impressed with her Korean, telling reporters, “It was an honor to film with such incredible colleagues.”

The teaser trailer has already drawn strong buzz, highlighting Ma’s transformation into a mythic warrior draped in tiger motifs and wielding unyielding power. Action sequences mix high-intensity choreography with CGI-infused fantasy elements, promising a large-scale production.

Ma, known internationally for “Train to Busan” and “The Roundup” series, said he was drawn to the project because of its potential to expand the boundaries of the K-drama hero narrative.

“Through 'Twelve,' we hope audiences will feel both exhilarated by the action and touched by the themes of loyalty, sacrifice and the enduring battle between good and evil,” he said.

from left, director Kang Dae-gyu, actors Ma Dong-seok, Park Hyung-sik, Regina Lei, Sung Yoo-bin, Ahn Ji-hye, Lee Joo-bin, Seo In-guk, Kang Mi-na and director Han Yoon-sun pose during a press conference for KBS2’s weekend miniseries "Twelve" at Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in central Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.