Starring Korea's world star LEE Byung-hun and written by Old Boy co-writer, HWANG Jo-yoon, MASQUERADE is the current Top 3 Korean film of all time with 15 Grand Bell Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Screenplay.
The versatile actor LEE (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, A Bittersweet Life) plays the dual lead as both the tragic King Gwanghae and that of the commoner who shares a fatefully remarkable resemblance to the ruler, Ha-Seon. Deeply embroiled in palace intrigue which aims to assassinate the ruler, King Gwang-Hae orders his trusted councillor Heo Kyun to find him a body double.
When the King collapses from a mysterious poison, Ha-seon must carry off the biggest masquerade of his career to save the country from chaos while under imminent threat of death. Acclaimed character actor RYU Seung-ryong (All About My Wife, War of the Arrows) & rising star HAN Hyo-Joo (Always) appear in supporting roles as the councillor and the queen, respectively.
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I think MASQUERADE has interesting plot which injected humor elements in it. The story flow rather well with great acting from Lee byung hun!
Imagine yourself carrying off as the king to protect the country. The process trying to be one is surely not an easy task. The king being heartless while the masquerade being nice and find justice to the country.
It reminded me of humility vs authority, which plays a more vital role as a ruler. To me, I think the masquerade did a better job in handling the people which win the hearts of the people.
Ratings: 3.55/5