The movie "광해, 왕이 된 자( Masquerade )" portrays the tumultuous eighth year of King Gwanghae's reign, where power struggles lead to chaos. CJ Entertainment strategically moved the release date to September 13th, with a production budget of approximately 65 billion won and a total investment of around 100 billion won. Despite initial concerns about low audience turnout, the film received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, especially praising Lee Byung-hun's remarkable performance portraying dual roles. His ability to distinguish the characters' personalities and mannerisms earned acclaim. The film's narrative, cinematography, and overall quality garnered widespread praise, resulting in high ratings and positive word-of-mouth. Although historically significant, the movie's portrayal of King Gwanghae raises questions, with some interpretations suggesting a critique rather than glorification of his reign. Overall, the film's polished execution, compelling storyline, and strong performances, including those from Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim In-kwon, Jang Kwang, Han Hyo-joo, and Shim Eun-kyung, contributed to its success.
At the 49th Grand Bell Awards in 2012, the film "광해, 왕이 된 자" swept the awards, winning a total of 15 awards, including Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor. The selection process underwent a significant change, with sealed judgments ensuring impartiality, although it ironically led to a biased outcome favoring "광해, 왕이 된 남자" due to overwhelming support from the judges. Despite concerns about fairness, the film received widespread acclaim, particularly for Lee Byung-hun's exceptional performance portraying dual roles. The movie's narrative, cinematography, and overall quality were highly praised, resulting in high ratings and positive word-of-mouth. However, some criticized the selection process, suggesting it may have influenced the outcome. Additionally, the film's director, Kim Ki-duk, left the ceremony early, possibly due to dissatisfaction with the awards' fairness. Meanwhile, Ryu Seung-ryong, who won Best Supporting Actor, delivered an amusing acceptance speech referencing his role in "내 아내의 모든 것," which was well-received for its humor and appreciation for the film's staff. The film also garnered attention internationally, being chosen as the closing film for the London Korean Film Festival, with renowned Asian film critic Tony Rayns hosting the event. While the film received nominations at the 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, it faced tough competition from "피에타," ultimately losing in most categories. Despite controversies surrounding the awards, "광해, 왕이 된 남자" continued to receive recognition both domestically and internationally.
The film "광해, 왕이 된 남자" ("Masquerade") features an alternate ending where the protagonist returns to street performing, sharing palace stories. Originally, director Kang Woo-suk and actors Jung Jae-young and Yoo Jun-sang were set to be involved but were replaced. Lead actor Lee Byung-hun's relationship announcement with Lee Min-jung garnered attention before the film's release. Despite initial comparisons to "War of the Arrows," the film's comedic and serious elements set it apart. Actor Jang Kwang, known for a previous role as a criminal, excelled in his dual roles. Lee Byung-hun's decision to prioritize the film over other projects paid off, making it one of his highest-grossing works. International figures at the London Korean Film Festival praised the movie. Additionally, the film shared similarities with the drama "My Love from the Star," where actor Ryu Seung-ryong made a cameo appearance.
Some believe that beyond the known ending, there exists an undisclosed conclusion, featuring the protagonist reverting to street performances and sharing palace anecdotes. However, historical records like the "Royal Secret Diary" up to the mid 17th century are nearly lost, adding to the uncertainty. Even if such records existed, it's unlikely that a king's directive to omit entries would result in complete erasure; instead, additional records might indicate the king's request. While kings wielded significant authority, blatant suppression of records often faced backlash, as seen in various historical incidents. Despite the king's wishes, scholars sometimes recorded sensitive information indirectly or reconstructed events from dispersed accounts. This reflects the complexities of pre-modern record-keeping in a monarchy like Joseon.
The film "광해" has sparked controversy due to its historical distortion, depicting King Gwanghae's reign inaccurately and potentially fueling misconceptions about him. While some argue that the film's detailed portrayal helps discern its fictional elements, others criticize its glorification of the king, which could be misinterpreted by viewers unfamiliar with history. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the film's viral marketing tactics blurring the line between fiction and reality. Despite attempts to address historical accuracy, debates persist, with some viewers pointing out the exaggerated portrayal of loyalists and adversaries during Gwanghae's rule. However, discussions involving historical experts aim to promote a balanced understanding of Gwanghae's reign, acknowledging both his accomplishments and controversies.
The film, being based on alternate history, incorporates highly fictionalized elements in its narrative, though it meticulously portrays aspects of royal court life in great detail, depicting various daily activities and surroundings of the Joseon king. Apart from King Gwanghae, Queen Jungsun, and Heo Gyun, most characters are fictional, with only a few based on historical figures. However, the film's portrayal of certain historical events is heavily dramatized, such as the implementation of the Daedong Law and Ho pae Law, reflecting a mix of fiction and historical context. Notably, while some policies during Gwanghae's reign are credited to a commoner, the depiction of Gwanghae's personality transformation throughout the film, from initially positive governance to later mismanagement, adds a unique twist to the storyline. However, the film's tendency to portray Gwanghae's flaws as attributed to a virtuous commoner risks perpetuating historical inaccuracies by presenting him as a benevolent king akin to the fictional character.