[mslee's thoughts] The King's Face First Review

This drama has started with a good pilot episode, showing Seo In Guk's acting skills that can not be dismissed easily as plain acting. He showed so many emotions playing one of the King's son as Prince Gwanghae. His character is playful yet he has another side that I think is still hidden to the King's knowledge about his interest on face reading and his curiosity that will farther more develop his intellectual capacity to be the next great Crowned Prince.

The story is about a King, Seonjo who from the beginning was cautioned and warned not to take the seat because his face mirrored that he would not be a great leader and that he would brought sufferings and famine to his land. But being a King at his young age, these negative remarks only made him ambitious and greedy to be the King and make them eat their words about what his face tells. A king who not only became so greedy for the position he occupies but anyone becomes a threat to him even his sons.

Prince Gwanghae is a son from a concubine. His mother died and he grew up outside the palace until the time he was called to enter the palace. During his younger years outside the palace, he became friends with a pretty girl named Kim Ga Hee who he first met at the temple crying and praying about her brother's early death. He consoled her and as time passed by, friendship grew between them. Their parting was a sad moment for them but Gwanghae gave him a jade stone where a star was carved on and promised that he will come visit her again. But that promise materialized because of the circumstances that followed. Ga Hee has a fate abut serving two dragons and her father told her to live not as a woman but as a man to avoid such fate.

From the story, the two dragons that were discussed was about the current King Seonjo and his son Gwanghae. Ga Hee's presence in their lives will bring balance to what the King lacks to turn around misfortunes and her face matched very well with Gwanghae.

Ko San has told the King about finding the woman who would be his match but until now, he has no luck finding what he promised. Until he chanced upon a young man who has a face that he thinks he is searching for. But then, he was puzzled why he is a man and not a woman. In episode 2, when the prayer for rain turned out disastrous when Ga Hee's turn to pour the water on the big vassal toppled over, Ko San saw her as she spoke with Prince Gwanghae. Ko San knew for sure that she is a woman in disguise. But what surprises him even more is that she compliments Gwanghae with what her face reads as much as the King's.

Aside the politics going on at the palace, hunger was everywhere outside. When the King visited the places, he was reminded of his fate bringing his people but he is too stubborn to acknowledge it. He is a King who has another scary side. He can be cold blooded in commanding deaths in secret just like what he told his soldier about a man who suddenly appeared in front of him talking about poverty. He also ordered the killings of the thief who trespassed the library looking for the face reading book and all the soldiers present at the interrogation room. He is so afraid about the book that will cause his position. Gwanghae who was outside the interrogation room heard  the order and the killings. He kept so quiet not to be discovered.

Because Gwanghae is very interested about the mark on the thief's arm, he is searching about it in bookstores and even pretended to be a face reader. That was when he met Ga Hee again as a man. He even borrowed a book written by her father and read it in his room promising to return it. But then, he saw what happened to the thief and all who knew about it so it brought a feeling of concern if Ga Hee's father is behind the stealing or not.

While a group of bandits from the province were the ones protecting the people from Japanese invaders. Jung Yeo Rib is the leader and Kim Do Chi is one of his trusted warriors. The palace was divided about the group if they are on their side or not. But some ministers have assured the King that Yeo Rib is a loyal servant and that he is protecting the people. But the appearance on the story of Joo Jin Mo [sorry I forgot his character's name in the drama] 

played the emotions of the King. He told him how to remain as the King. He told him that Yeo Rib's group must be demolished for treason. 

He even tortured family of the Queen and even  Prince Imhae was captured for treason. The King is doing his best to eliminate possible threats to him. Gwanghae was told not to take any action and just remain silent to avoid the same fate.

This is certainly politics and it is sad that a father can not even trust his own child. Yeo Rib was killed before Do Chi's eyes. Do Chi promised to lead the remaining group and to find the King that will be their salvation.

Meanwhile, Gwanghae realized that the young man is actually his friend Ga Hee. He was both sad and happy to know it. At the last scene of episode two, he could not remain silent about her identity. He uttered her name. He looked for her all these years but never found her and it was a mystery. Now he knew why. She lived as a man.

The story is progressing in a good pace as it unfolds more interesting sub stories. I think this is going to be a must look forward each episode kind of drama for the greedy versus rightful leader that the people of Joseon is trying to seek. The book of face reading had been destroyed by the King already. But then as k-drama has always shown, heaven is looking and this is a matter of evil versus good.

Now I wonder how Gwanghae would face his father or be against him in the coming episodes.

For now, I recommend this drama even if there are other two dramas on the same time slot that are currently having a much higher viewer ratings. Mystery, betrayal, greed, power, love and romance are all in this drama, saeguk style. I think this is going to be a worthwhile watch.

-mslee1107-

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