Why did the world star Lee Byung Hun decide to star in the period piece Masquerade (Gwanghae, The Man Who Became King)?

The actor revealed why at the press conference for the film held in Seoul on August 13.

Lee Byung Hun said, “I saw the scenario for this film when I was filming G.I.Joe 2 in America. After thinking about it for a month or two, I decided to appear in the film. The actual reason I made such a decision was because the low class Ha Sun was so naïve and funny. The humor inside me wanted out.”

To a question asking him about the difficulties in filming, Lee Byung Hun said, “Because I act in two roles for the one film, I appear in 80 to 90 percent of the scenes. The physical pain was greater than the psychological pain.”

He also added, “I had such a hard time filming G.I.Joe 2 that for my next piece, I wanted to take up something I could be good at. Because I had taken up a traditional piece for the first time, however, it was hard too.”

Masquerade is about how the low class Ha Sun enters the palace to pretend he’s the king when the real king comes in danger of being poisoned. The piece is Lee Byung Hun’s first period piece, and for the film he took up the two roles of king and low life.

Ryu Seung Ryong also stars in the film as Heo Gyun, along with Han Hyo Joo as the Queen who wavers with the secret behind the real king and the fake king. Other actors guaranteed to put on a great act, such as Kim Myung Gon, Kim In Kwon and Shim Eun Kyung, will also appear.

Screenwriter Hwang Jo Yoon of Old Boy took up the script, while director Choo Chang Min of Mapado and I Love You directed for the film.