In Twelve K-Drama episode 1, opens with a voiceover. It explains that light is seen as their god. Twelve angels were sent down to earth with chosen humans who oversee them. Their mission is to protect the wasteland and destroy darkness. After defeating evil spirits, they chose to live among humans while pretending to be human themselves.
The fusion of mythic fantasy and gritty crime thriller is a high-wire act, and the first episode of Twelve (also known as 12 Angels) walks it with compelling confidence. This isn’t your typical story of celestial beings; it’s a dark, morally complex tale that asks: what if divine protectors operated like a ruthless loan shark operation?
This review breaks down the premiere’s strengths, its central mysteries, and the creative lessons writers can take from its bold narrative choices. We’ll explore whether this unique blend of genres makes for a must-watch or a tonal mismatch.
A Dark Take on Angels and Power
Tae-san, who is known as the tiger of the group, is introduced inside a jail. He visits a prisoner to collect money. The prisoner laughs at him and threatens that his boys will destroy the Angel Capital group.
He reminds Tae-san that his company lends money to criminals like him and never fails to collect. Tae-san is not shaken. His presence feels heavy, almost dangerous.
Other angels are also introduced. Jwidol, the mouse, works with technology. Kang Ji, the dog, is in customer support. Doni, the pig, works under Doctor Bang-ul. Bang-ul is a snake and runs an ayurvedic clinic with Doni.
Her treatment methods look rough but somehow work. Mir, the dragon, spends her days teaching kids in museums. Marok comes to see her and urges her to rejoin the angel group. She has been away for ten years. Mir avoids the subject and leaves nervously.
The episode shifts back to Tae-san. He calls the same gangster who had been released from jail. He orders him to pay the money immediately.
Tae-san walks into the gangster’s den and finds himself surrounded by a group of men. A fight breaks out. He defeats them one by one with his brutal strength. The gangster, frightened and broken, hands over all the money himself. Tae-san doesn’t have to ask twice.
Angels and Gangsters: Two Worlds Collide
Meanwhile, Mal-sook, the horse, joins Kang Ji and Won Seung, the monkey, in another money collection mission. They head toward a gambling den. The guards at the entrance try to stop them.
The women fight back without hesitation. Mal-sook is quick to lose patience. She charges into the den and beats down every goon who comes her way. Inside, the gangster tries to escape. Jwidol, the mouse, uses hacked CCTV footage to guide the group. With his help, the runaway gangster gets cornered, and the angels collect the money.
This pattern reveals how the group operates. They lend money to dangerous people but have no trouble using their strength to take it back. Their system is both organized and violent. There is no softness in their work.
This is where “Twelve” establishes its core thematic conflict. The writers brilliantly use the loan collection premise as a vehicle for world-building. Instead of just telling us the angels are powerful, they show us through visceral, well-choreographed action sequences.
This “show, don’t tell” technique efficiently establishes each character’s skills (Mal-sook’s impatience, Jwidol’s tech prowess) while advancing the plot. For aspiring writers, note how a mundane concept (debt collection) can be completely reinvented by changing the characters who perform it.
Loyalty and Humanity
The story slows when Tae-san visits an elderly woman named Geum-soon. She is the only human who knows him closely. She calls him “uncle” because he once saved her as a teenager.
Goons had been troubling her then, and Tae-san appeared as her protector. She knows his secret. He is not a normal man but an angel who has lived for five thousand years. She tells him to seek happiness for himself, not only fight for duty. Her words show a human side to this heavy, violent story.
Why This Scene Matters: The Geum-soon subplot is the emotional anchor of the episode. It’s a crucial writing tool that prevents the story from becoming a monotonous series of fight scenes.
This relationship immediately builds stakes and empathy for Tae-san. He’s not just a brutal enforcer; he’s a timeless being with a personal connection to the humanity he’s meant to protect. This contrast is vital for making an otherwise unlikeable protagonist deeply compelling.
Return of O Gwi
The episode ends with another group of mysterious men. They find O Gwi, an entity trapped inside a mountain rock. When their blood touches the stone, it evaporates. Their leader performs a ritual.
Smoke rises from the rock and weakens him, but he does not stop. He says he has no time to waste. He stabs his hand fully into the rock, and the ground begins to shake. From the smoke, O Gwi emerges. The scene feels dangerous, and it sets the tone for what will follow.
Episode 1 shows two sides of the angels. On one side, they protect humans and fight evil. On the other, they run a business that looks no different from gangsters.
Their battles with criminals show their strength, but their ties to money raise questions. Are they protectors, or are they rulers who use power for control? The drama does not give clear answers yet.
The pacing is strong. Each angel is given a small introduction, though not enough to understand them fully. Tae-san stands out the most with his violence and his bond with Geum-soon. Mir shows hesitation, hinting at inner conflict. Others play smaller roles but are expected to grow later.
The ending with O Gwi sets up the real conflict. Until then, the angels only faced humans. With O Gwi released, the story hints that a larger battle is coming. The ritual scene carries weight, and the shaking ground signals danger that feels ancient. This change gives the story a darker edge.
As a first episode, Twelve successfully builds a world that feels both ancient and urgently modern. Its strength lies in its willingness to be uneven, as this tonal shift mirrors the angels’ own dual lives—divine warriors trapped in the morally grey underbelly of human society.
For viewers, the central questions are compelling:
Is their violent money-lending operation a necessary means to a holy end, or have they lost their way? What caused Mir to leave, and what will it take for her to return? Most importantly, with the terrifying O Gwi now unleashed, how will the angels’ brutal methods fare against a true supernatural threat?
The Bottom Line: Episode 1 of Twelve is a strong, inventive premiere that prioritizes intriguing ambiguity over easy answers. It’s recommended for fans of urban fantasy, noir crime dramas, and anyone looking for a K-drama that isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty. Its unique premise makes it a standout worth adding to your watchlist. What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Which part of Twelve K-Drama episode 1 interested you the most?
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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