Ma Dong-seok's Dramas: The Success of 'Bad Guys' Versus the Disappointment of 'Twelve'

In South Korea, there is a renewed focus and evaluation of dramas featuring actor Ma Dong-seok. The 2014 OCN drama 'Bad Guys' is still celebrated as a masterpiece, drawing continued interest, while the 2025 KBS drama 'Twelve' faced low ratings and criticism, presenting a stark contrast.

'Bad Guys' delivered intense action and a solid storyline, fitting its 19+ rating, which led to high viewer immersion. Its groundbreaking premise, where a suspended detective leads a team of a gangster, a psychopathic serial killer, and a hitman to catch worse criminals, along with the image transformations of actors like Kim Sang-joong, Park Hae-jin, and Jo Dong-hyuk, garnered significant attention. In contrast, 'Twelve', a Korean-style hero drama based on the Twelve Zodiac Animals, with Ma Dong-seok involved in acting, scriptwriting, and production, started with an 8.1% rating but plummeted to 2.4% by its finale. It was unfortunately named the 'worst drama of the year' in an industry expert survey, primarily due to weak narrative, poor CGI, and irrelevant product placements.

Bloggers recommend 'Bad Guys' to crime drama enthusiasts and those exploring Ma Dong-seok's early filmography, noting its timeless appeal as a pioneer of the picaresque genre. For 'Twelve', despite initial high expectations, many expressed disappointment, citing awkward CGI and direction as major hindrances to immersion. Nevertheless, 'Twelve' is also recognized as a meaningful attempt to establish a Korean-style hero universe.