Disney Plus locks in Aug. 23 for Twelve, an ambitious, high-concept action-hero series that reimagines Eastern zodiac mythology as a sprawling superhero universe. The drama follows twelve celestial guardians (angels living incognito as humans) who defend the world against rising evil. Each angel embodies one of the 12 zodiac animals and the story stretches from ancient clashes to modern-day showdowns. The series spans eight episodes and will also air on KBS2 as a weekend mini-series, making it a must-watch action-fantasy for both domestic and global audiences.
Eastern Zodiac 101
The “Eastern Zodiac” (widely known as the Chinese zodiac) cycles every 12 years, with each year linked to an animal and its traits: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Twelve turns these symbols into living, fighting guardians.
Story Setup: Ancient Sacrifice, New Threat
Long ago, the angels barely sealed the gates of hell and further suffered the loss of four comrades and their own powers in the process. The eight survivors retreated into quiet human lives. But peace ends when Sa-min (Kim Chan Hyung) resurrects Ogwi (Park Hyung-sik), a destructive force intent on turning the world into a realm of evil spirits. Despite vows to stay out of human affairs, the angels must confront doubt, recover their abilities and rise again. Their human guide Ma-rok (Sung Dong-il) reminds them of their purpose and spurs their return to the fight.
Ma Dong-seok as Tae-san, the Tiger Guardian
Global star Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee) of The Outlaws franchise, Train to Busan and Marvel’s Eternals leads as Tae-san, the most powerful of the twelve and the battle-worn commander who must unseal ancient strength and rally the team. He once withdrew from humanity after losing four angels and facing human betrayal, but the new crisis forces a return. Ma Dong-seok shaped Tae-san’s identity in tangible ways, from the stride and tiger-print costume accents to weighty yet agile punches designed to evoke a tiger’s forepaws. The action scenes highlight realistic, impactful fight choreography with fiery effects added to amplify the blows onscreen. As a leader, Tae-san brings out the unique strengths of each angel and unlocks their hidden potential. In his character poster, he squares up before a tiger-script backdrop, radiating resolve against an overwhelming threat.
Park Hyung-sik as Ogwi, the Crow Villain
Park Hyung-sik follows up his acclaimed turn in Buried Hearts (and a hit streak that includes Happiness and Doctor Slump) as Ogwi, a crow-aligned nemesis sealed beyond hell’s gate in ages past and now reawakened by Sa-min. He emerges with shattered memories, crosses paths with the twelve and drives a dark new fate. Park Hyung-sik threads elegant yet razor-sharp “wing-like” motion into the action and executes intricate wire stunts that punctuate the show’s dopamine-charged set pieces. Creative leadership showcases Ogwi not just as an antagonist but as a figure who interacts with the angels and evolves, inviting audience investment. The glowing red stone set in his chest, highlighted in key art, deepens the mystery around his power source.
Seo In-guk as Won-seung, the Monkey Challenger
Seo In-guk portrays Won-seung, the clever trickster who dreams of succeeding Tae-san. On the surface, he seems lighthearted and carefree, but deep down he is loyal and responsible. The team highlights the Monkey’s closeness to humans, giving Won-seung more emotions to explore and a clear growth arc. To bring out his agility, Seo In-guk trained in parkour and action choreography, focusing on quick and sharp movements. His character poster features the Chinese character for “monkey” with a soft, fur-like design, mirroring his playful charm. An accomplished actor and musician, Seo In-guk also serves as co-music director for Twelve, further showing his passion and dedication for the project.
Lee Joo-bin as Mir, the Sealed Dragon
Lee Joo-bin embodies Mir, the Dragon guardian who foresees danger in prophetic dreams. To protect others, she chooses solitude, and her powers remain sealed after a battle thousands of years ago. Lee Joo-bin leans into traditional-fantastical textures that feel distinctly Korean, channeling mystique through her gaze to capture a creature that exists only in legend. Her poster features the Chinese character for “dragon”, overlaid with a scale-like pattern, hinting at dormant might and secrets still to surface.
Sung Dong-il as Ma-rok, Humanity’s Guardian
Sung Dong-il anchors the narrative as Ma-rok, the sole human chosen by the divine and longtime manager of the twelve angels. Across eras, he gathers and protects them; in the present, he works as a detective and mediates crises within the group. He fights with a magical cane that projects protective barriers, repels dark forces and seals them away, an effect that requires careful coordination with CGI on set. Stills show him in a showdown with encroaching darkness and a raw moment of rage after a shocking discovery. His poster features calligraphy for “deer” (“Rok”), reinforcing his stoic duty to shield both angels and humankind. The creators shaped Ma-rok to ground the story as an observer-guide who connects viewers to all twelve.
The Dog, Rat and Horse Angels (Kang Mina, Sung Yoo-bin, Ahn Ji-hye)
Kang Mina (Hotel Del Luna, Welcome to Samdalri) as Kang-ji (Dog) — A swift, fierce fighter whose warm heart anchors her devotion to humans. She builds the performance around empathy, and in action she moves like a hunting dog, pushing for beats that feel natural and convincing.
Sung Yoo-bin (The Witch: Part 2, No Way Out: The Roulette) as Jwi-dol (Rat) — The team’s indispensable technician and inventor, supplying tools and weapons, and acting as the group’s brain. He prioritizes ensemble rhythm and collaborates with stunt teams to craft agile, rat-like movement.
Ahn Ji-hye (Badland Hunters) as Mal-sook (Horse) — A powerhouse of speed and strength, commanding explosive sequences. She shapes her style around unyielding, upbeat energy that flips into fierce wildness in battle, making the contrasts feel seamless.
The Pig and Snake Angels (Go Kyu-pil, Regina Lei)
Go Kyu-pil (The Outlaws 3, The King’s Affection, Crash Landing on You) as Do-ni (Pig) — A nurse at Taesan Oriental Medicine Clinic, he surprises with agile movement, notable strength and a rare gift for communicating with animals. He develops a signature abdomen-driven attack style to give the character fresh action texture, which is an approach he pushed for since early planning.
Regina Lei as Bang-wool (Snake) — A doctor of oriental medicine who heals human ailments using ancient techniques and even formulates her own medicines to boost the angels’ strength. She studies snake behavior to infuse coiling, hunting-like motion into performance and costume, emphasizing subtle scale textures. Viewers can expect a distinctive rapport with Do-ni, who can read her unspoken thoughts. Her casting also marks her official Korean debut.
First Look: Teaser and Posters
The teaser opens on Tae-san, one of the eight remaining angels living quietly after the ancient seal. Sa-min revives Ogwi and a new catastrophe looms. Though the angels question their strength and once swore to avoid human affairs, Ma-rok steers them back to their mission. The trailer highlights each guardian’s animal-coded abilities, then punctuates the threat as Ogwi spreads his wings, signaling a formidable opponent. Poster art pairs Tae-san and Ogwi in a standoff backed by tiger and crow emblems, while the red core in Ogwi’s chest raises questions about origin and function. The campaign reframes the narrative as a call to stand together against resurgent evil, promising spectacular action and an original, mythology-driven storyline.
Off-Camera Chemistry: A Family of Eight on Earth
The new stills spotlight the connection among the eight Earthbound angels whose millennia-long bond runs so deep they can read each other with a glance. They live “separately together” across different human spheres, yet snap into formation when evil rises.
With Ogwi stirring after being sealed at the brink of the hellgate’s closure and with their powers suppressed along with that gate, the team pushes past worry and chooses solidarity. Their unified stares and hushed strategy sessions hint at an ominous future. Mir’s absence in a group moment adds intrigue. One image shows Tae-san swinging a hammer as the others look on, stoking anticipation for the battles ahead. On set, the cast bonded quickly, found rhythm fast and sustained a warm, laughter-filled environment. Trust was the key to executing the action scenes, and it naturally brought them closer like family.
Why This Hero World Feels New
The cast frames Twelve as a Korean-flavored superhero universe built on the twelve zodiacs, spanning ancient and modern timelines and brimming with mythology, dynamic action and time-bending fantasy. They urge viewers to watch for distinctive action styles tailored to each angel and for character work that foregrounds the animals’ traits and the actors’ chemistry.
Creative Line-Up and Industry Muscle
Multiple industry heavyweights power the project: STUDIO X+U (genre-bending titles like No Way Out: The Roulette and Night Has Come), Contents G. (Project Wolf Hunting), and Big Punch Pictures (the team behind The Roundup franchise). Nova Film, which topped Netflix’s non-English film rankings with Badland Hunters, also boards. The series is directed by Kang Dae-gyu, known for emotional storytelling and deft direction in films like Pawn. Creative voices also articulate character aims throughout—among them, Director Han Yoon-sun, who emphasizes Ogwi’s capacity to engage, grow and win viewer affection, and who positions Won-seung to display wider human-like emotions and a clear journey toward leadership.
When and Where to Watch
Twelve premieres globally on Aug. 23, bringing its mythical battle to our screens every weekend. The 8-episode series will air on KBS2 in Korea and stream worldwide on Disney+.
Which zodiac guardian would you want by your side when the world’s at stake? Declare your choice for Twelve on Instagram and X/Twitter!
Featured Image Credit: KBS
