These Are The 7 Most Expensive K-Dramas Ever Made
7. Are You Human Too? ($9.3 million USD)
Are You Human Too? is Korea’s first AI human romance drama that has invested a large sum of money on CG and special effects in the latter half of the series. The drama, which stars Seo Kang Joon and Gong Seung Yeon, is set to air its first episode on June 4, 2018.
6. Saimdang, Memoir of Colors ($18.5 million USD)
Saimdang, Memoir of Colors, which stars veteran actors Song Seung Heon and Lee Yeong Ae, follows the story of an art history lecturer and her journey in discovering the mysteries of a 16th-century artist through a diary. The large production cost was spent on the welfare of the actors and staff at the filming sites rather than the drama itself.
5. Iris 2 ($18.5 million USD)
This sequel to the hit series Iris was filmed and broadcasted in 2013. A Korean drama with a production cost of $18.5 million USD was rare at the time and therefore, this series received particular attention.
4. Criminal Minds ($18.5 million USD)
The South Korean series Criminal Minds was a remake of the popular American tv series of the same name. The series starred Lee Joon Gi, Song Hyun Joo, Moon Chae Won, Yoo Sun, Lee Sun Bin, Go Yoon and Kim Yeong Cheol.
3. Kingdom ($18.5 million USD)
This upcoming series will be the second Korean Netflix original series and is expected to be aired sometime in 2018. The zombie thriller, which is set in the Joseon period, stars Ju Ji Hoon, Bae Doo Na, and Ryu Seung Ryong.
2. Vagabond ($23.2 million USD)
This upcoming series is a story about an ordinary man who gets involved in a plane crash and digs into national corruption. Lee Seung Gi and Shin Sung Rok have been confirmed to star in the series with Suzy being offered the lead female character. It is scheduled to be filmed abroad and broadcasted in the US as well as in Korea.
1. Mr. Sunshine ($27.8 million USD)
Mr. Sunshine is also an upcoming drama which will air its first episode in July 2018. The drama, which stars Lee Byung Hun, Kim Tae Ri, and Yoo Yeon Seok, has the largest production cost in the history of Korean dramas.
