Edited by Seo Hayne Translated by Yu Jin Kim
High production costs do not always guarantee a well-made drama or movie. Nevertheless, investments in locations and post-production work provide viewers with a variety of visuals, making the drama more memorable and impactful. Let’s take a look at five dramas that left a lasting impression on viewers with their substantial production budgets.
Moving (2023)
Arthdal Chronicles (2019)
Arthdal Chronicles is a drama that tells the fateful stories of heroes who create different legends in the ancient land of Arth. While it may appear to be a historical drama due to its setting in an ancient era of tribal states, it is actually more of a fantasy work, as it is not based on historical facts. Even before its release, the show’s expansive mythology and narrative led to expectations of it being the Korean version of “Game of Thrones.” The drama was filmed in various overseas locations, including the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia, Brunei, and Bali, to vividly bring the ancient world to life. When it aired, the drama drew attention for its massive budget of 54 billion KRW (approximately 540 million USD). The second season, which aired in 2023, reused existing sets and reportedly had a production budget of 20 to 30 billion KRW (approximately 200 to 300 million USD).
The Cast of ‘Arthdal Chronicles 2’ Give the Inside Scoop of the Show
Mr. Sunshine (2018)
Mr. Sunshine was a highly anticipated drama due to the collaboration between Lee Byung Hyun and Kim Tae Ri as well as director Lee Eung Bok and screenwriter Kim Eun Sook, who had previously shown excellent chemistry in Descendants of the Sun and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. Set in the turbulent early 1900s Joseon era, it followed young individuals from diverse backgrounds who were swept up in the tides of history. The production team traveled across the country, built an 8,000-pyeong (approximately 26,400 square meters) set, and employed around 10,000 background actors to authentically depict the period spanning the Korean Empire and Japanese occupation. This dedication to authenticity resulted in stunning visuals, each episode praised for its cinematic quality. The total production cost was 43 billion KRW (approximately 43 million USD).
Narco-Saints (2021)
Narco-Saints is a drama based on the true story of Jo Bong Haeng, who operated a drug cartel in Suriname and was known as a drug kingpin. The drama focuses on a civilian entrepreneur who played a crucial role in capturing the drug lord, portraying the tense process of his arrest. Ha Jung Woo suggested the adaptation to director Yoon Jong Bin upon learning about the true story. The production cost approximately 35 billion KRW (around 35 million USD), which is 10 billion KRW more than Squid Game . The crew stayed in the Dominican Republic for about two months for location shooting, but additional filming took place at a palm tree farm in Jeju Island due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive post-production work was done to recreate the South American scenery.
Sweet Home (2020)
Set to release its final season on July 19, Sweet Home is another drama with a massive production budget. It portrays the survival struggles of people in a world where humans transform into monstrous creatures consumed by their desires. Based on a popular webtoon, Season 1 showcased a devastated Seoul and a variety of creatures with a production budget of 30 billion KRW (approximately 30 million USD). The series received great acclaim for its high-quality visuals and its story infused with Korean sensibilities. Seasons 2 and 3 were filmed back-to-back and released last year. Reports suggest that the final season has an even higher budget per episode compared to the 3 billion KRW per episode in Season 1.
Other dramas with notably big production budgets include The Escape of the Seven (46 billion won), Uncle Samsik (40 billion won), Song of the Bandits (36 billion won), Gyeongseong Creature (70 billion won), The King: Eternal Monarc h (32 billion won), and Kingdom (32 billion won).
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
