The Face Reader

User Rating

Current user rating: 83/100 (445 votes)

You need to enable JavaScript to vote

Profile

Movie: The Face Reader (English title) / Physiognomy (literal title)
Revised romanization: Gwansang
Hangul: 관상
Director: Han Jae-Rim
Writer: Kim Dong-Hyuk, Han Jae-Rim
Producer: Kim Woo-Jae, Joo Pil-Ho
Cinematographer: Ko Rak-Sun
Release Date: September 11, 2013
Runtime: 139 min.
Genre: Period-15th Century / Drama / Best Film-Movie of the Year
Distributor: Showbox
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Set during the seizure of the throne by Sejo of Joseon in the year 1455, the movie follows the life of Nae-Kyung.

Nae-Kyung (Song Kang-Ho) hails from a ruined noble family. He travels around Joseon and studies physiognomy. He is able to asses a person's personality, mental state, habits and, consequently, their future, by just studying their face. He lives in seclusion with his son Jin-Hyeong (Lee Jong-Suk) and brother-in-law Paeng-Hun (Cho Jung-Seok). Nae-Kyung hopes to one day become a public officer, even though it is virtually impossible due to his family's failed background.

One afternoon, an attractive Gisaeng named Yeon-Hong (Kim Hye-Soo) visits Nae-Kyung's home. She runs a food and alcohol establishment in Hanyang (old name for Seoul). Yeon-Hong asks Nae-Kyung to go with her tthere, because he can make a lot of money. Nae-Kyung and Paeung-Hun decide to follow her advice and go together to Hanyang. There, through Yeon-Hong's deceit, Nae-Kyung begins to work as physiognomist at her establishment. His amazing talents quickly spread throughout the area and business booms for Yeon-Hong. Nae-Kyung then happens to solve a murder case by observing the victim's husband. Kim Jong-Seo (Baek Yoon-Sik), the second most powerful man in the country, hears of Nae-Kyung's abilities and orders him to the palace. He is assigned to hire public officers by using his face reading abilities.

After King Munjong dies, a young crown prince takes the throne, but the young king's fate is imminent danger. Prince Sooyang (Lee Jung-Jae) has ambitions to become the King and has a plan to make it happen. Meanwhile, Nae-Kyung is positive that Prince Sooyang is going to plot treason against the new king.

Notes

Screenplay won the grand prize at the 2010 Korean Scenario Contest held by the Korean Film Council.
Filming began September 15, 2012 and finished December 12, 2012.
A TV drama series version of movie "The Face Reader" is scheduled to air in South Korea sometime in 2014.
Related titles:
1. The Face Reader | Gwansang (TBA / 2014)

Cast



Song Kang-Ho	Lee Jung-Jae
Nae-Kyung	Prince Sooyang



Kim Hye-Soo	Baek Yoon-Sik	Cho Jung-Seok	Lee Jong-Suk	Jeong Gyu-Su
Yeon-Hong	Kim Jong-Seo	Paeng-Hun	Jin-Hyeong	Yeon-Hong's assistant

Additional Cast Members:

Kim Tae-Woo - King Munjong
Chae Sang-Woo - crown prince
Yoo Jae-Myung - government official
Park Sang-Hyun - government official
Ri Min - government official
Lee Chang-Jik - Hwangbo In
Lee Do-Yub - Kim Seung-Kyu
Kim Eui-Sung - Han Myung-Hoi
Woo Sang-Jeon - Han Myung-Hoi (old)
Kim Gang-Hyun - suspect 3
Yoon Chae-Young - female shaman
Ko Chang-Seok - Nobleman Choi
Ji Joo-Yeon - gisaeng 1
Kim Hye-Won - gisaeng 2
Park Ran - gukboo gisaeng 3
Kim Gil-Dong - bald man
Seo Hyun-Woo - Jin-Moo
Yoon Kyung-Ho - Im-Woon
Kim Geun-Young - dead girl's mother
Jeon Jin-Ki - high ranking officer
Jeon Shin-Hwan - Shin Sook-Joo
Yoo Sang-Jae - Hong Yoon-Sung
Lee Yoon-Gun - Jo Sang-Yong
Lee Sang-Hong - Kim Sang-Koo
Yoon Hee-Won - Officer of Seungjeongwon (the Royal Secretariat of the Joseon Dynasty)
Park Jin-Woo - oriental doctor
Lee Sol-Gu - suspect 2
Jung Dae-Yong - substitute at Jeonuigam
Park Yoon-Hee - public officer
Kim A-Rim - Danjong's court lady
Lee Kyu-Hyung - new Eunuch
Min Chae-Yeon - young wife
Kim Wang-Geun - high ranking government officer
Kim Dae-Heung - rotation military officer
Shin Ki-Won - Prince Anpyeong
Shin Dong-Ryuk - lawmaker 1
Choi Seung-Il - Chief of Saheonbu
Shin Seung-Yong - Saheonbu officer
Jeon Su-Hwan - Saganwon officer 2
Yoon Jong-Goo - bureaucrat
Gong Jae-Won - yizo (human resources office) government official 2
Hong Ji-Eun

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

2014 (16th) Udine Far East Film - April 25-May 3, 2014 *European Premiere
2014 (13th) New York Asian Film Festival - June 27-July 14, 2014

Awards

2014 (50th) BaekSang Arts Awards - May 27, 2014
- Best Supporting Actor (Lee Jung-Jae)
2013 (33rd) Korean Association of Film Critics Awards - November 29, 2013
- Best Actor (Song Kang-Ho)
- Best Supporting Actor Cho Jung-Seok
- Best Music
- CJ CGV Star Award Lee Jung-Jae
2013 (34th) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 22, 2013
- Best Supporting Actor (Lee Jung-Jae)
2013 (50th) Daejong Film Awards - November 1, 2013
- Best Film
- Best Director (Han Jae-Rim)
- Best Actor (Song Kang-Ho)
- Best Supporting Actor (Cho Jung-Seok)
- Best Costume Design

Comments

Jend Nov 25 2022 1:06 pm I was into watching all of Kim Hye Soo's work. But Lee Jong Suk convinced me to watch it right away. I didn't check all the cast and story plot. I was surprised to see Cho Jung Seok! ??? and Song Kang Ho whom she worked with in Signal and Lee Jung Jae. Ugh. The cast is amazing. I was only halfway in the movie but I already put it un my favorites. It's a perfect mix of comedy at first and transitioned into drama.

SKH & CJK's brotherly chemistry is heart warming. KHS slayed her role too. Well derserved awards. ?

lala Feb 11 2021 6:11 am Just watched this movie. I think the meaning of this movie is so deep. In this life, we never know about the fate, we can only make a plan but we don't really know what happen next. So, we can blame anyone if our plans doesn't work out. At first I thought this film was a comedy, it turned out that this film was a drama with touching and meaningful story. Must watch!

Yura Jun 01 2019 2:38 pm Good movie

Ore-sama Mar 22 2019 3:14 pm Though it is a tragic ending, it is a beautiful film indeed. recommended.

YooahVicky Mar 08 2018 3:10 pm Funny, Well executed what else can I can I say than to definitely watch this movie! You will not be dissapointed?

Linda Dec 26 2016 11:13 am LJS in saeguk movie!!! Long straight hair!!!

karin Feb 02 2016 9:43 am Got some very cute bromance scene here and there. Quite tragic though, political world has always been ruthless. I am glad I am just a mere peasant.

Arthur Jul 24 2014 11:37 pm Nice film, nice music, but I wonder where can I find the music for the beginning of this film (the orchestral music). I love that piece of music! Please help! Thank you.

Xiu May 17 2014 11:58 pm I love this movie! The ending was beautifully done. The movie contain the right amount of humor as well as emotions.

parkminhee Feb 23 2014 5:30 pm great movie

humming Feb 15 2014 8:09 pm is this movie awesome also? like "masquerade"?

homepage Dec 28 2013 2:27 pm Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually recognize what you are speaking approximately!

Bookmarked. Please additionally visit my website =). We may have a hyperlink alternate arrangement between us

dawn Oct 14 2013 9:58 am Had the opportunity to watch this movie at Grapevine Mills AMC in Grapevine, TX....wish it was released at other theatres in the DFW metroplex...this was a long way to drive to see such a fantastic movie. I really enjoyed it! Thanks for coming the the big screen in Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Yaya Oct 10 2013 1:02 am I just saw this movie tonight, and it was an excellent movie but oh boy, so emotionally heavy. Lots of humor, but also lots of tragedy. That seems like a strange combo but I think you'll agree once you've seen it.

pan media Sep 16 2013 11:43 pm will release on 4 of Oct in US and in Canada.

- The list of theaters

NEW YORK_AMC EMPIRE 25 234 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036

NEW YORK_AMC LOEWS BAY TERRACE 6 211-01 26th Ave Bayside, NY 11360

NEW JERSEY_AMC CLIFTON COMMONS 16 405 New Jersey 3, Clifton, NJ 07014

PHILADELPHIA_AMC 309 CINEMA 9 1210 Bethlehem Pike-suite B13 Routes 309 & 63 North Wales, PA 19454

ATLANTA_AMC COLONIAL 18 825 Lawrenceville-suwanee Rd Lawrenceville, GA 30043

CHICAGO_AMC SHOWPLACE NILES 12 301 Golf Mill Ctr Niles, IL 60714

DALLAS_AMC GRAPEVINE MILLS 30 3150 Grapevine Mills Parkway Grapevine, TX 76051

HOUSTON_AMC STUDIO 30 2949 Dunvale Houston, TX 77063

LOS ANGELES_CGV CINEMAS 621 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005

LOS ANGELES_AMC ORANGE 30 20 City Blvd W #1, Orange, CA 92868

SAN DIEGO_AMC FASHION VALLEY 18 7037 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

SEATTLE_CINEMARK CENTURY FEDERAL WAY 2001 S. Commons, The Commons at Federal Way 320th and Hwy 99, Exit 143 off of I-5 Federal Way, WA 98003

SEATTLE_AMC LOEWS ALDERWOOD MALL 16 18733-33rd Ave. West Lynwood, WA 98037

SAN JOSE_AMC CUPERTINO SQUARE 16 10123 N Wolfe Rd Suite 3000 Cupertino, CA 95014

LAS VEGAS_AMC TOWN SQ 18 6587 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

WASHINGTON DC_CINEMARK CENTREVILLE 12 6201 Multiplex Drive, Centreville, VA 20121

HONOLULU_PEARLRIDGE WEST 16 98-1005 Moanalua Rd. Aiea,HI 96701

ctop Sep 01 2013 8:17 pm Jo Jung Seok and Lee Jong Suk :)

pita Aug 20 2013 3:48 am aaakkkkk~ joo jung seok lee jong suk love them two i must watch this movie

keioboysakurai Jul 21 2013 11:33 pm

leejongseok ! <3

devie Jul 07 2013 10:44 pm i want to watch this movie.. i can't wait..

chaeok Jan 18 2013 5:22 am I want to see I want to set more dramas and movies 1453-1457 Joseon

kathleenn Nov 02 2012 2:11 pm omg i love jo junk sukkkkkk <333 , he should have more dramas

NM17177 Aug 12 2012 9:48 am can't wait to see Jo Jung-Suk....i hope he has more scene...

The Face Reader

Contents

User Rating

Profile

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailers

Image Gallery

Film Festivals

Awards

Comments

Leave a Comment

Comments