Do not be confused with the film 'The Face Reader' starring Song Kang Ho and Lee Jung Jae. Face Reader is about the ability of Nae-gyeong the most skillful face reader in Joseon dynasty whereby the tyrant Grand Prince Su-yang yearns to become a King.
However the King's Face is about Prince Gwanghae's younger days and his ability to read people's face and eventually govern the Joseon dynasty after much turbulance in his life.
In real life history, Gwanghaegun is a popular role played in most films and dramas. This character has been played by Lee Byung Hun in the film Masquerade, Lee Sang Yoon in Goddess of Fire: Jung Yi, Ji Sung in the King's Woman and the most recent role has been taken up by singer/idol Seo In Guk.
Gwanghae is a son of a concubine and King Seonjo. There were many turbulance times during Seonjo's ruling where Japan invaders came in, 7-years war that brought shaky ground to Gwanghae when he was appointed as the Crown Prince. His brother Prince Imhae was jealous of him and many ministers intend to get rid of him. In later years Gwanghae was deposed but he was definitely a better ruler than King Injo (who was known for being a useless king and killing off his intelligent Crown Prince Sohyun)
This year KBS has casted a few brilliant actors to play the main roles in The King's Face. Veteran actor Lee Sung Jae is playing as King Seonjo, Seo In Guk as Gwanghae, Shin Sung Rok as Kim Do Chi, Jo Yoon Hee as Kim Ga Hee and finally Kim Gyuri as Royal Consort Kim. I can sense here that Royal Consort Kim will be a villain and mastermind to bring the father and son's relationship to a downturn. Most of the time, the concubines of the King are jealous over the Crown Prince status and intend to drag them down in politics.
I don't know how well Jo Yoon Hee will fare in her role as she is quite weak in all her characters she has played in most dramas. Not a pretty face and yet lacking in expressing out...I doubt if she is a perfect choice to play in this drama. I have high-ups for Lee Sung Jae and also Shin Sung Rok. These 2 are marvellous actors- either as tyrant or assassin.
Seo In Guk might still be a newbie but he's improving. I have always like his roles in Reply 1997 alongside Eunji (APink) and Master's Sun with Gong Hyojin.
Kim Gyuri will do fine as the evil Consort Kim with her eyes and expression, she's good at that. She was a bit of a let down in Sly & Single drama.
Lately there have been too many sageuk dramas on TV from The 3 Musketeers to A Night Watchman's Journal and Secret Door. I am getting a bit confused with some of the roles too.
Will continue to see how the storyline unfolds...who knows the scriptwriter might
be surprising us with more intriguing scenes.
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