Masquerade - Korean Movie

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Movie: Masquerade (English title) / Ghwanghae, Man Became A King (literal title)
Revised romanization: Gwanghae, Wangyidoen Namja
Hangul: 광해, 왕이 된 남자
Director: Choo Chang-Min
Writer: Hwang Jo-Yoon
Producer: Jung Ji-Hoon, Kim Bo-Yeon
Cinematographer: Lee Tae-Yoon
Release Date: September 13, 2012
Runtime: 131 min.
Genre: Period-17th Century / Drama / Best Film-Movie of the Year
Distributor: CJ Entertainment
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

King Gwanghae (Lee Byung-Hun) has been the King for the past 8 years. He now suspects that someone within the royal court is attempting to poison him. In response, King Gwanghae orders his councilor Heo Gyun (Ryoo Seung-Ryong) to find someone that looks like him to sit in his throne.

Heo Gyun then comes across a clown named Ha-Sun (Lee Byung-Hun), who performs lewd shows in front of drunken noblemen. Ha-Sun indeed strongly resembles King Gwanghae and is even able to imitate the way King Gwanghae speaks. Heo Gyun takes Ha-Sun to the royal palace without giving any explanations. At night, Ha-Sun takes the King's seat, while the King slips away to his mistress's home.

A short time later, King Gwanghae collapses and is taken to a safe house. Meanwhile, Ha-Sun continues his ruse as the King until the King can recover. Slowly, Ha-Sun's own personality comes out and the people in the King's inner court notice the changes. The King appears more humane to those around him and far less volatile. While Ha-Sun's true voice comes out, enemies within the King's inner circle plan their next move.

Notes

"The Masquerade King" retells Mark Twain's "The Prince & The Pauper" set in Joseon era South Korea.
Earliest Korean working title was "Gwanghae" (referring to King Gwanghae 1574–1641) then changed to "Naneun Joseonui Wangyida" ("I am the King of Joseon"). Korean movie title then changed to "Gwanghae: Wangyidoen Namja" ("Ghwanghae: Man Became A King").
June 9, 2011 - Director Kang Woo-Suk & lead actor Jung Jae-Young dropped out of the project due to differences with production company CJ Entertainment.
November 14, 2011 - Lee Byung-Hun accepted lead role vacated by Jung Jae-Young.
Filming began February 12, 2012 at Namyangju Studios in Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province.
Filming finished June 14, 2012.
On October 20, 2012, "Masquerade" passed 10,000,000 million admissions in South Korea, becoming only the 8th film to ever do so. As of October 20, 2012, "Masquerade" has sold a total of 10,041,564 tickets.
Related titles:
1. Masquerade | Gwanghae, Wangyidoen Namja (2012)
2. The Crowned Clown | Wangyi Doen Namja (tvN / 2019)

Cast



Lee Byung-Hun	Lee Byung-Hun	Han Hyo-Joo	Ryoo Seung-Ryong
King Gwanghae	Clown Ha-Sun	Queen	Heo Gyun



Kim Myung-Gon	Kim In-Kwon	Shim Eun-Kyung	Jang Gwang
Park Choong-Seo	Warrior Do	Court Lady Sa-Wol	Eunuch

Additional Cast Members:

Lee Joon-Hyuk - village chief
Kim Jong-Goo - King Gwanghae's physician
Lee El - Ahn Gae-Shi
Shin Yun-Seob - nobleman
Yoo Soon-Woong - high ranking public official
Do Yong-Gu - Minister of National Defense
Jeon Bae-Su - Minister of Justice
Moon Chang-Kil - Prime Minister
Kim Hak-Joon - Yoo Jung-Ho
Shin Jung-Keun - Public Official Lee Jung-Rang
Jeon Guk-Hyang - Court Lady Jung
Lee Yang-Hee - Minister of Land, Transport and Tourism
Joo Young-Ho - public officer 1 who escorts King Gwanghae
Han Yi-Jin - public officer who escorts Ha-Sun
Yang Joon-Mo - Kim Joo-Seo
Kim Seung-Hoon - low level public officer
Lee Bong-Ryun - royal kitchen court lady 1
Lee Ran-Hee - royal kitchen court lady 3
Kim Bi-Bi - Queen's court lady
Min Jung-Ki - King Gwanghae's Eunuch
Kim Gil-Dong - chief of security force guarding the King
Jo Sung-Hee - Prince Gwanghae's public officer 2
Kim Hye-Hwa - king's toilet court lady
Ha Soo-Ho - General Jung Jeon
Lee Soo-Yong - knife scar
Seo Jin-Won - commander
Kwon Eun-Soo - Prince Gwanghae towel court lady
Heo Sung-Tae - low ranking public officer 1 at crime enquiry site
Joo Ye-Rin - Hongrumong gisaeng 2
Park Kyung-Geun - ambassador

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

2012 (6th) Abu Dhabi Film Festival - October 11-20, 2012 - Showcase *International Premiere
2013 (12th) Asian Film Festival of Dallas - July 11-18, 2013
2013 (4th) Korean Film Festival in Australia - August 14-September 11, 2013 - Discover Yourself

Awards

2013 (49th) BaekSang Arts Awards - May 9, 2013
- Best Film
- Best Director
2012 (33rd) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 30, 2012
- Best Art Design
2012 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards - November 7, 2012
- Best Technical Achievement
2012 (49th) Daejong Film Awards - October 30, 2012
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Best Actor (Lee Byung-Hun)
- Best Supporting Actor (Ryoo Seung-Ryong)
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Costume Design
- Best Art Design
- Best Music
- Best Sound Effects
- Best Lighting
- Best Editing
- Best Production
- Popularity Award (Lee Byung-Hun)

Comments

Ysher Jan 09 2021 1:49 pm I watched late. Years back I struggled to search for this movie but finally I found it very late. What inspired me to search for this movie is because of viewers appraisals. Indeed this movie is masterpiece Congrats to the whole team, you played your role very well. This movie made me laugh and cry, I think the story is fantastic but the actors and the actress are the best.

ersen Jun 30 2019 8:16 pm noble... we need more noble people on television.. couse it seems we cant calculate our own mistakes and how far it would go on... so this masterpiece wont be forgotten

bb Jan 27 2019 9:59 am Omgomg this movie is original story to The Crowned Clown. Finally i found it! I hope that drama will succes like this movie tooo.

Tim Nov 23 2018 12:04 am this is indeed a very good movie and very sad, it would me better for the country to have a king like ha-sun, and he would be king if he wants to since Heo-Gyun can make it happen but to be king means that there will be people who have to die for him, if so then he rather not be king, he got such a good heart that he couldn't stand to see other die for him, he is indeed a truth king, even though he did so many good things in just 4 days the real king still decided to kill him at the end. It's too sad that sa-wol and warrior do have do die. this is a 10 out of 10 movie

. Apr 24 2017 6:54 am Did they have to copy The king's man's cover...

lee zhi Mar 25 2017 4:31 am amaizing movie ?? ,fake king was awesome

kaojiwon Mar 22 2016 4:45 am wow! i just watched this movie and this has to be my favorite korean historical movie(not drama series). i usually shy away from sageuk movies because it goes by way too fast to see the characters develop. but i enjoyed this movie from beginning to end!

Ozil Aug 02 2015 6:04 am Nothing much to say, this is just a masterpiece. One of the best historical/costume movie to date. 10/10

Ga-bi Oct 20 2014 4:18 pm Epic movie! My favorite movie now! Long live king Ha-Sun! It is a really good movie and a must watch.

k@ph Feb 15 2014 7:58 pm superb movie! i cried a lot! no doubts it has many awards. for Byung-Hun, my respect for you! you really are a good actor. drama, comedy! awesome acting!

Yenicall Dec 18 2013 3:15 pm The best historical K-movie I've watched by far! Lee Byung Hun was really really good in this movie. That clown, indeed, is the rightful king!

bulbul Nov 24 2013 5:21 pm What a great movie is! How can I put it? It is the best plot korean movie I ever seen.. I wonder how Lee Byung-Hun could act different character in this movie.. The story are very touching and make me cried a lot.. :')

columbus Oct 06 2013 2:16 pm Excellent Movie! I am really amazed with this film, great actors and superb plot. There were actually multiple applauses inside the theatre while watching this film DAEBAK! This is a must-watch, one of the best Korean films. I enjoyed it a lot.

Tara Aug 31 2013 12:01 am I am totally speechless!!!What a film!!!!!!I can not rate this films enough.One of the best films i have ever seen and i have seen a few.The acting was superb!And yes i did cry at the end.Thank you for making this film,and it is a must see for the whole world in my eyes!!

Melissa Aug 02 2013 11:17 pm This is an epic movie. Very well done. The acting is superb and the story is great. You can download it on itunes if you're interested in watching it!

Victor Jun 08 2013 8:45 pm AMAZING MOVIE...I just hope its original (it resembles the American movie, Dave...is it?)

wellington nogueira Apr 20 2013 8:54 am This is a masterpiece that should be seen all over the world! Thank you to the entire production for this amazing film!

Perfect World Mar 10 2013 2:39 pm aMazing movie...a Great masterpiece...Love Lee Byung-Hun @ Han Hyo Joo great plot...great acting...

MsGB Feb 27 2013 11:28 pm Mind.....Blown...... Just got finish watching this movie, Loved It!!!! It was soooo freakin awesome. I went through so many emotions that I don't know what to do with myself! My new fav movie of all time!

Zelaii Feb 05 2013 5:52 am My reaction on the trailer:

speechless*

So what more if I watch ths movie. Do I become a mute now because of its awesomeness?

Ki Sep 14 2012 11:06 am Very well done! Must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It's pretty much a period thriller, but there's bits of humor sprinkled in the film that worked well. Also props to Lee Byung-Hun. Playing two characters might seem like a gimmick, but he really pulled it off well. By the 30 minute mark, I forgot I was watching Lee Byung-Hun and was zoned in on King Gwanghae and Beggar Ha-Sun. Han Hyo-Joo's screen time was relatively modest, but she also impressed. Favorite scene with her is when the fake King coaxed a smile from her. The smile lasted no more than a second or two but looked priceless. I wouldn't think twice about watching this movie again if opportunity comes up. Storyline also keeps you on the edge of your seat for the whole runtime.

toluwaleke Sep 08 2012 11:33 am both byung hun and hyo joo are part of my favorite,so will be waiting to watch my own iris favourite and dong yi together.i gonna be lovely.love uuuuuu

Yogesh odyssey opera Aug 28 2012 10:23 am awaiting for the release<<<>>>

lydia gamara Jul 26 2012 2:17 am she's not only a superb actress. she's a star of many talents. watch her in youtube - playing the piano, singing ex. sudden burst of tears. she also came to the phil to visit a squatter area. she even embraced and fed the poor children. that's why i luv her more. i you luv her too vote for her. search, Top Hallyu Korean Star Voting. choose her name then click Vote at the bottom of the list. voting till august. we may vote once a day

MsGB Jul 11 2012 11:08 pm It's like this is the drama and "I am the King" w/ Joo Ji Hoon is the comedy. They both have a "prince and the pauper" plot.

Lydia Gamara Jun 12 2012 11:52 pm I am a Han Hyo Joo avid admirer because she is not only beautiful but also very talented. She also is able to maintain a clean image to the public. I am hoping this movie and her every movie shall soon be seen in Philippine theaters.

Miiih~ Jun 09 2012 11:56 pm Lee Byung-Hun + Han Hyo Joo

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

It's going to be PERFECT!!!!!!!!

Miss Byung Hun May 26 2012 12:12 pm i really love lee byung hun. his acting is great, and for me, he is the best korean actor ever. i'm preety sure that his acting will give a great impact in this movie. LEE BYUNG HUN HWAITING!!

maidee May 15 2012 9:40 am This movie sure gonna be successful again as how her other movies happened to be! Keep it up! Your really are great!

OhLaLa Apr 30 2012 1:53 am Im craving for HHJ acting. I really wish this release sooner

Mayendra fhu Dec 23 2011 7:24 am Oh han hyo joo, i do love you, hehe:-D,

HHJfan Dec 23 2011 7:06 am yay ~ i love han hyo joo so much... she's my super k-actress ever... i love her project... hope this film will release sooner... (amin)

rosika Dec 23 2011 4:20 am wow… i’ll be waiting for this movie… you are my fav actrees… byung hun is also my fav actor… wish you luck… :)

rosika Dec 23 2011 4:19 am wow... i'll be waiting for this movie... you are my fav actrees... byung hun is also my fav actor... wish you luck... :)

Masquerade - Korean Movie

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Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

Awards

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