A tense stand-off and a promise in Ruler–Master of the Mask’s first teaser

Monday, January 2, 2017

Drama Casting & News

A tense stand-off and a promise in Ruler–Master of the Mask’s first teaser

Woohoo, here’s our first look at MBC’s historical drama Ruler–Master of the Mask, starring Yoo Seung-ho (Remember–Son’s War) as a determined crown prince and Kim So-hyun (Bring It On, Ghost) as a woman determined to get revenge on him, who then falls in love with him.

Their encounter in this first teaser is short, but full of tension as they face off across the royal courtyard. Kim So-hyun approaches Yoo Seung-ho, gripping a dagger in her hand, which she pulls from its sheath. She asks, “How could you kill my father?”

Yoo Seung-ho replies that he will find a way to fight and prevail over the organization made up of powerful aristocrats who seek to privatize the water supply (great for them and their profits, terrible for the regular people). As she drops her dagger, she says that she blames him. He replies with the vow, “I will become a real king. My Joseon will be different.”

The plot sounds suspenseful and interesting, but I’m most excited about this lineup: Both started off as outstanding child actors who graduated to adult roles gracefully, and have matured into strong actors capable of carrying great emotion. They’re both experienced in sageuk and do well with the genre and mannerisms; Yoo Seung-ho has played a king at least three times already, and has got that sageuk gravitas down.

Ruler–Master of the Mask doesn’t air for months yet, with a premiere date somewhere in May. On the one hand, I’m bummed about getting all excited about it and then having to wait so long (May is foreeeeeever away), but on the other hand, I’ll never turn down preview goodies. Can’t wait! (…even though I’ll have to. *sadface*)