The most expensive K-drama ever? Netflix’s The King, Criminal Minds, Kingdom, Mr. Sunshine, Arthdal Chronicles and more Korean series which cost up to US$45 billion

Sep 21 , 2020

The King: Eternal Monarch, Hotel Del Luna, Mr. Sunshine – which K-drama series cost billions to produce and how well did they fare in the ratings? Photos: SBS; TVN; Netflix

From Arthdal Chronicles to Criminal Minds and Vagabond, these highly produced K-dramas have put the Korean entertainment industry on the map – but do the expensive production costs pay off and translate into high viewer ratings?

It may be called the “small screen”, but television involves serious spending when it comes to producing the best K-drama series. The reasons are many: elaborate sets; filming in exclusive locations whether at home or overseas; the chosen genre (for example, fantasy and action require a bigger budget due to special effects); and casting well-known (and rather well-paid) hallyu celebrities.

Here are 7 K-drama series that boast slick production values and whopping budgets – how many have you seen?

Arthdal Chronicles (estimated cost: 54 billion won; US$45.7 million)

Starring “Korea’s Leonardo DiCaprio” Song Joong-ki and divided into three parts with a total of 18 episodes, this fantasy drama tackles the struggle for power and delves into the key elements of what makes and defines a civilisation.

According to Kpopmap, scenes were filmed in Korea and Brunei, and a huge, exclusive set was built, too. The show drew mixed reviews, with viewers pointing out similarities to Game of Thrones.

Mr. Sunshine (estimated cost: 30-40 billion won; US$25.4-36 million)

With stunning cinematography and actor Lee Byung-hun taking the lead role, Mr. Sunshine became a hit with audiences. Byung-hun’s fee, overseas filming locations, and the track record of acclaimed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook contributed to the high production costs. Mr. Sunshine follows the story of a child born into slavery, who escapes aboard an American ship and grows up in the United States.

Kingdom 1 and 2 (estimated cost: 35 billion won; US$29.6 million)

The Kingdom series is a zombie drama set in the Joseon era in the 15th century. The historical component accounts for the design costs, and expenditure reportedly went over the budget of US$1.76 million per episode. The show was well-received and was renewed for a second season.

The King: Eternal Monarch (estimated cost: 30 billion won; US$25.4 million)

This was one of the most anticipated series in 2020 due to a powerhouse cast, led by Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun, and backed by a budget of US$25 million. The show depicts two parallel universes: the fictional Kingdom of Corea and modern-day Korea. It made waves internationally but clocked low on domestic ratings due to criticism of the screenplay, editing and directing.

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