An exceptionally talented face reader becomes entangled in a bloody power struggle between a child king and his uncle who plans to usurp the throne.
Acting
Song Kang-ho's eyes carry entire kingdoms of weight.
Production
Joseon palace detail so authentic you can smell the incense and blood.
Writing
Face-reading as plot device AND metaphor — chef's kiss.
Director
Han Jae-rim
Song Kang-ho
Nae-kyung
Lee Jung-jae
Grand Prince Soo-yang
Baek Yoon-sik
Kim Jong-seo
Cho Jung-seok
Paeng-heon
Lee Jong-suk
Jin-hyeong
Kim Hye-soo
Yeon-hong
Kim Eui-sung
Han Myung-hoi
Chae Sang-woo
Dan-jong
Kim Tae-woo
King Mun-jong
Ko Chang-seok
Choi Dae-gam
Seo Hyun-woo
Jin-moo
Woo Sang-jeon
Old Han Myung-hoi
Kim Kang-hyun
Murder Suspect (uncredited)
Jung Da-won
Young Wife (uncredited)
Kim Seo-hyeon
Fake Soo-yang
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Song Kang-ho learned actual Korean physiognomy techniques from a master face reader for six months, though the film's mystical elements are dramatized.
The Gyeyu Rebellion was real — Prince Suyang did murder his nephew's loyalists to seize power, becoming Sejo of Joseon, one of Korea's most infamous usurpers.
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