The 4 most expensive Korean dramas in 2021: Squid Game and Jeon Ji Hyun’s blockbuster take first 2 places
Despite the impact of the epidemic, Korean filmmakers still invest heavily to produce extremely expensive works.
(The figures are calculated based on the films that have announced the investment budget)
1. Squid Game
Squid Game, which cost Netflix up to 20 billion won for nine episodes, with an investment of about 2.22 billion won per episode, is at the top of the list of the most expensive Korean films of the year. This is understandable given the film’s high level of investment in terms of context, props, and the main actor’s pay. Of course, this is a fantastic return on investment, as Squid Game goes on to become the most popular Korean drama of 2021, consistently topping the global Netflix viewership charts.
2. Jirisan
In terms of investment, Jeon Ji Hyun and Joo Ji Hoon’s Jirisan (The Mystery of Jiri Mountain) closely follows Squid Game. The average cost per episode is 2-2.2 billion won, with a total budget of 32-35 billion won. Despite the film’s massive budget, it is still panned for its poor effects. Is it true that the majority of the funds are used to pay the scriptwriter and two A-list actors’ salaries?
3. Penthouse 3
Penthouse seasons 2 and 3 are invested with 30 billion won. With 14 episodes for season 3, each episode costs about 2.14 billion won, mainly to set the scene and invest in costumes for the characters.
4. Vincenzo
Vincenzo‘s 16-episode production cost a total of 20 billion won. Due to the epidemic’s effects, the crew was unable to film at the set filming location in Italy, forcing them to spend a significant amount of money on CGI effects for the scenes set in this country. Furthermore, they have to spend a massive amount of money to pag Song Joong Ki’s salary.
