Masquerade (2012 film) explained

Masquerade
Native Name:
Child:yes
Hangul:광해:
Hanja:

이 된

Rr:Gwanghae: Wang-i Doen Namja
Mr:Kwanghae: Wangi Toen Namja
Director:Choo Chang-min
Producer:Im Sang-jin
Won Dong-yeon
Kim Ho-Sung
Mikey Lee
Music:Mowg
Kim Jun-seong
Cinematography:Lee Tae-yoon
Editing:Nam Na-yeong
Distributor:CJ Entertainment
Runtime:131 minutes
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Gross:[1]

Masquerade is a 2012 South Korean period drama film starring Lee Byung-hun in dual role as the bizarre King Gwanghae and the humble acrobat Ha-sun, who stands in for the monarch when he faces the threat of being poisoned.[2] [3]

With 12.3 million tickets sold, Masquerade is the ninth highest-grossing South Korean film. Also, it swept the 49th Grand Bell Awards, winning in 15 categories, including Best Film, Director, Screenplay and Actor.[4] [5] [6] [7]

Plot

The confusing and conspiratorial 15th ruler of Korea's Joseon Dynasty King Gwang-hae (Lee Byung-hun) orders his Secretary of Defense, Heo Gyun (Ryu Seung-ryong), to find him a double in order to avoid the constant threat of assassination. In constant fear of being poisoned, the king becomes obnoxious and threatens everyone around him, including the kitchen maids. Heo gyun finds Ha-sun, a lowly acrobat and bawdy joker who looks remarkably like the king to replace the king occasionally whenever the king is out of the palace. In few days, just as feared, King Gwang-hae is drugged with Poppy by his favorite consort, conspired by the law minister. Heo Gyun proposes Ha-sun fill the role as the king until King Gwang-hae fully recovers and grooms Ha-sun to look and act like the king. While assuming the role of the king at his first official appearance, Ha-sun begins to ponder the intricacies of the problems debated in his court. Being fundamentally more humanitarian than King Gwang-hae, Ha-sun's affection and appreciation of even the most minor servants slowly changes morale in the palace for the better. Over time he finds his voice and takes control of governing the country with real insight and fair judgments. Even Heo Gyun and the Chief Eunuch are moved by Ha-sun's genuine concern for the people, and realize he is a better ruler than Gwang-hae. Ha-sun even fights for the respect of the Queen's safety and protects her and her brother from death sentences. However, his chief opposition, Park Chung-seo (Kim Myung-gon), notices the sudden shift in the king's behavior and starts to ask questions. The queen (Han Hyo-joo) is also conflicted between the real king and the fake king's secret.[8] The Chief Eunuch and the Secretary of Defense ask Ha-sun to leave the country for good. The king was again brought back to the throne to punish the revolts.

Cast

Background

Historically, Gwanghae, the 15th Joseon king from 1608 to 1623, attempted diplomacy through neutrality as China's Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and Qing dynasty (1644–1912) set their sights on the country. He also tried his hand at other reforms and reconstruction to try to make the nation prosperous, including an emphasis on the restoration of documents, but met with opposition and was later deposed and exiled to Jeju Island.[13] Since he was deposed in a coup by the Westerners faction, historians did not give him a temple name like Taejo or Sejong.[14]

The premise behind the film is an interpretation of the missing 15 days in the Seungjeongwon ilgi or Journal of the Royal Secretariat during Gwanghae's reign—designated by his 1616 journal entry, "One must not record that which he wishes to hide."[15] That premise is entirely fictitious in nature. This is because

Production

Announced in early 2011 and initially titled I am the King of Joseon, The Prince and the Pauper-inspired historical film was to be directed by Kang Woo-suk and star Jung Jae-young as Gwanghae/Ha-sun and Yoo Jun-sang as Heo Gyun,[16] [17] [18] but Kang left the project over differences of opinion with production firm CJ E&M.[19]

In November 2011, they were replaced by director Choo Chang-min and actor Lee Byung-hun in his first ever historical film.[20] [21] [22] [23] [24] A month later, Han Hyo-joo was cast as Lee's co-star.[25]

The film was shot at the Namyangju Studio Complex in Gyeonggi Province.[26] [27] [28]

Reception

Called by one review as one of the best South Korean costume dramas in years,[29] the film drew praise for being beautifully written and emotionally involving, as well as for its accomplished acting, sure-handed direction, ambitious scale and commercial appeal.[30] It became the second biggest hit film at the 2012 South Korean box office, attracting 8.2 million admissions in 25 days of release,[31] [32] [33] [34] then 9,091,633 after 31 days.[35] On its 38th day, it became the 7th film in Korean cinema history to surpass the 10 million-milestone attendance.[36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] At the end of its theatrical run it was listed as Korea's all-time third highest-grossing film with 12,319,542 tickets sold nationwide (as of April 2015, it is currently sixth).[43]

Adaptations

In theater

The film was adapted into a stage play which ran at Seoul's Dongsoong Art Center from February 23 to April 21, 2013. It was produced by Lee Byung-hun's agency BH Entertainment. Bae Soo-bin and musical theatre actor Kim Do-hyun alternated in the lead role of Gwanghae.[44] As part of the promotion for the play, Lee, Bae and Kim were featured in a photo spread in the inaugural issue of Grazia Korea, published on February 20, 2013.[45]

In television

See main article: The Crowned Clown. Cable network tvN acquired rights for a television adaptation, starring Yeo Jin-goo. Developed for the station by Studio Dragon and produced by GT:st, it is to air in January 2019.

In other media

See main article: D-2 (mixtape). South Korean rapper Agust D draws from the film in his 2020 track Daechwita. The lyrics reference King Gwanghae, as well as rising through the ranks from poverty and servitude to become a king, while in the accompanying music video Agust D portrays a scarred Joseon tyrant, confronted by a modern doppelganger.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
201249th Grand Bell AwardsBest FilmMasquerade
Best DirectorChoo Chang-min
Best ActorLee Byung-hun
Best Supporting ActorRyu Seung-ryong
Best ScreenplayHwang Jo-yoon
Best CinematographyLee Tae-yoon
Best EditingNam Na-yeong
Best Art DirectionOh Heung-seok
Best Lighting Oh Seung-chul
Best Costume DesignKwon Yu-jin, Im Seung-hee
Best MusicMowg, Kim Jun-seong
Best ProductionIm Sang-jin
Best Visual EffectsJung Jae-hoon
Best Sound EffectsLee Sang-joon
Popularity AwardLee Byung-hun
Best Technical AchievementOh Heung-seok
33rd Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest FilmMasquerade
Best DirectorChoo Chang-min
Best ActorLee Byung-hun
Best Supporting ActorJang Gwang
Best ScreenplayHwang Jo-yoon
Best CinematographyLee Tae-yoon
Best Art DirectionOh Heung-seok
Best LightingOh Seung-chul
Best MusicMowg, Kim Jun-seong
Technical AwardKwon Yu-jin, Im Seung-hee
(costume design)
Nam Na-yeong
(editing)
Best ActorLee Byung-hun
201349th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest FilmMasquerade
Best DirectorChoo Chang-min
Best Actor Lee Byung-hun
22nd Buil Film AwardsBest FilmMasquerade
Best DirectorChoo Chang-min
Best Actor Lee Byung-hun
Best Supporting ActorRyu Seung-ryong
Best Art DirectionKwak Jae-sik, Oh Heung-seok
Best Music Mowg, Kim Jun-seong
Buil Readers' Jury AwardMasquerade
Best ActorLee Byung-hun

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Masquerade (2012). Box Office Mojo. 2014-05-30.
  2. Web site: Kwaak. Je-yup. Prince-pauper tale gets election-year twist in Gwanghae. The Korea Times. 2012-11-18. 14 August 2012.
  3. Web site: Oh. Mi-jung. Masquerade Turns Out to be More Comedic than Serious. https://archive.today/20130128233109/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=14055. dead. 28 January 2013. enewsWorld. 2012-11-18. 4 September 2012.
  4. Web site: Gwanghae sweeps Korean Oscars. The Korea Times. 2012-11-18. 31 October 2012.
  5. Web site: Lee. Jin-ho. The Daejong Film Awards are Taken Over by Masquerade. https://archive.today/20130128234735/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=19426. dead. 28 January 2013. enewsWorld. 2012-11-18. 31 October 2012.
  6. Web site: Masquerade Sweeps Daejong Film Awards. The Chosun Ilbo. 2012-11-18. 31 October 2012.
  7. Web site: Lee. Claire. Gwanghae sweeps Daejong Film Awards. The Korea Herald. 2012-11-18. 30 October 2012.
  8. News: Byeong-jin. Kang. Korea's most anticipated films of 2012. 2012-11-18. 7 February 2012. Korea Cinema Today.
  9. Web site: Lee Byung Hun experiences being a king in Gwanghae: The Man who became King. Korea Star Daily via Yahoo!. 2012-11-18. 6 September 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20130210080805/http://omg.yahoo.com/news/lee-byung-hun-experiences-being-a-king-in-080500242.html. 10 February 2013.
  10. Web site: When Actor Ryu Seung Ryong Was Compared to Lee Byung Hun, "If Only I was Born a Year Earlier...". Korea Portal. 2012-11-18. 4 September 2012.
  11. Web site: Lee. Jin-ho. Interview: Han Hyo Joo Says Lee Byung Hun was the Best Actor She's Met. enewsWorld. 2012-11-18. 3 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131205221746/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/16513/interview-han-hyo-joo-says-lee-byung-hun-was-the-best-actor-shes-met. 5 December 2013. dead.
  12. Web site: Han Hyo Joo Knew About Lee Byung Hun's Relationship With Lee Min Jung?. Korea Portal. 2012-11-18. 4 September 2012.
  13. Web site: Baek. Byung-yeul. Lee shines in dual roles in Masquerade. The Korea Times. 2012-11-18. 11 October 2012.
  14. Web site: Hong. Lucia. Masquerade main stars Lee Byung-hun, Han Hyo-joo speak at presser. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 13 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105343/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012081319470279632. 31 May 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  15. Web site: Aquino. Rowena. A Royal Performance by Lee Byung-hun: Review of Masquerade. Asia Pacific Arts. 2012-11-18. 24 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130826041949/http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?a_royal_performance_by_lee_byung-hun_review_of_masquerade_18270.aspx. 26 August 2013. dead.
  16. Web site: 정재영, 강우석 감독 진정한 페르소나...5번째 작품!. Osen. 2012-11-18. 4 February 2011.
  17. Web site: 강우석 감독, 첫 사극 '나는 조선의 왕이다' 연출. The Dong-a Ilbo. 2012-11-18. 14 March 2011.
  18. Web site: 강우석·정재영·유준상, '광해'서 다시 뭉친다. Star News. 2012-11-18. 4 May 2011.
  19. Web site: Han. Yeo-wool. Lee Byung-hun mulling historical film role. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 4 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20131012032032/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?a_id=2011110413000665584. 12 October 2013. dead.
  20. Web site: Kim. Jessica. Lee Byung-hun historical pic role confirmed. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 14 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20131012003343/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?a_id=2011111410255165833. 12 October 2013. dead.
  21. Web site: Kim. Ji-yeon. Lee Byung Hun To Star in Historical Film. https://archive.today/20120718005031/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1529. dead. 18 July 2012. enewsWorld. 2012-11-18. 14 November 2011.
  22. News: Lee Byung-hun to star in The Prince and the Pauper remake . 2012-11-18 . 15 November 2011 . . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20130524145525/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2944129 . 24 May 2013 .
  23. Web site: Noh. Jean. Lee Byung-hun to star in Choo Chang-min's Masquerade. Screen International. 2012-11-18. 17 November 2011.
  24. Web site: Lee. Claire. Lee Byung-hun to star as Joseon king in movie. The Korea Herald. 2012-11-18. 27 February 2012.
  25. Web site: Hong. Lucia. Han Hyo-joo to join Lee Byung-hun in historical film. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 20 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120208030129/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?a_id=2011122014013556530. 8 February 2012. dead.
  26. Web site: Namyangju Studio Complex. Dynamic Korea. 2012-11-18. 29 November 2005.
  27. Web site: Hong. Lucia. Lee Byung-hun's 1st historical film cranks in. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 27 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131012024624/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?a_id=2012022709571097194. 12 October 2013. dead.
  28. Web site: Frater. Patrick. King of Joseon now shooting. Film Business Asia. 2012-11-18. 28 February 2012.
  29. Web site: Elley. Derek. Masquerade. Film Business Asia. 2012-11-18. 18 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121102000525/http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/masquerade. 2012-11-02. dead.
  30. Web site: Paquet. Darcy. Box office, September 1–15. Korean Film Biz Zone. 2012-11-18. 21 September 2012.
  31. Web site: Kim. Hyun-min. Box office pull of 2 hits. Korean Film Biz Zone. 2012-11-18. 25 September 2012.
  32. Web site: Korean film Gwanghae hits local box office. The Korea Times. 2012-11-18. 1 October 2012.
  33. Web site: Lee. Tae-ho. Masquerade Continues to Steam Competition for 3rd Win. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 2 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105133/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012100208353241111. 31 May 2014. dead.
  34. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. Masquerade Rules Box Office After Scoring 8.2 mln Ticket Sales. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 8 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054532/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012100809351543808. 4 March 2016. dead.
  35. Web site: Sunwoo. Carla. Gwanghae exceeds 9 million views. Korea JoongAng Daily. 2012-11-18. 16 October 2012. usurped. https://archive.today/20130127033056/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2960821. 27 January 2013.
  36. Web site: Lee. Rachel. Masquerade, 7th film to reach 10 million viewers. The Korea Times. 2012-11-18. 21 October 2012.
  37. Web site: Masquerade surpasses 10 million viewers. The Korea Herald. 2012-11-18. 21 October 2012.
  38. Web site: Gwanghae sets industry record. Korea JoongAng Daily. 2012-11-18. 22 October 2012. usurped. https://archive.today/20130127072233/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2961088. 27 January 2013.
  39. Web site: Masquerade Sells Over 10 Million Tickets at Box Office. The Chosun Ilbo. 2012-11-18. 22 October 2012.
  40. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. Masquerade Outnumbers 10 Mln, Scores 6th Win at Box Office. 10Asia. 2012-11-18. 22 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105236/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012102210204392086. 31 May 2014. dead.
  41. Web site: Kim. Hyun-min. Second Korean Film Breaks the 10 Million Mark This Year. Korean Film Biz Zone. 2012-11-18. 23 October 2012.
  42. Web site: Kim. Hyun-min. Hollywood Stars Out in Force for MASQUERADE. Korean Film Biz Zone. 2012-11-18. 13 November 2012.
  43. Web site: Lee. Hyo-won. Masquerade Becomes Third Most Watched South Korean Film of All Time. The Hollywood Reporter. 2012-12-14. 13 December 2012.
  44. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. Masquerade to be Adapted into Stage Play. Kstar10. 2013-01-14. 26 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140531124109/http://www.kstar10.com/view.htm?idxno=2012092611320039895. 31 May 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  45. News: An. So-hyoun. The Three Gwanghaes Lee Byung Hun, Bae Soo Bin and Kim Do Hyun Pose for Grazia. 2013-02-23. enewsWorld. 23 February 2013. https://archive.today/20130419012604/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=29793. 19 April 2013. dead.

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