Watch The Face Reader

The Face Reader is a South Korean historical drama from 2013 directed by Han Jae-rim. The movie starred Song Kang-ho, Lee Jung-jae, and Yun-shik Baek in leading roles. The film explores the life of Nae-kyung (Song Kang-ho), a gifted physiognomist who can read the faces of individuals and predict their fate. Nae-kyung's life takes a turn when he is tasked with reading the faces of royalty and uncovering their intentions.

The story is set in the Joseon Dynasty, a time when physiognomy was a widely accepted practice in Korea. Physiognomy is the art of analyzing facial features and interpreting them to reveal a person's character and destiny. Nae-kyung is raised by his father, who is also a face reader, and inherits his father's gift for reading faces. Nae-kyung's father's death inspires Nae-kyung to use his gift to earn a living, and he becomes a sought-after face reader.

The film takes a turn when Grand Prince Suyang (Lee Jung-jae) recruits Nae-kyung to read the faces of his nephew, Crown Prince Sung-won (Kim Hye-eun), and his son, Prince Jin-seong (Kang Dong-won). Grand Prince Suyang is a cunning and ruthless man who seeks to gain power and become the king of Joseon. Nae-kyung uncovers the true intentions of the two princes and helps Grand Prince Suyang to defeat and kill them.

Later, Grand Prince Suyang becomes the king after deposing the rightful heir, King Munjong (Yun-shik Baek), and assumes the throne as King Sejo. Nae-kyung becomes the king's most trusted advisor and continues to use his gift to read the faces of others to ensure that the king retains his power.

The Face Reader explores themes such as power, destiny, loyalty, and deception. The film is expertly crafted, with exceptional performances from the cast. Song Kang-ho stands out as Nae-kyung, portraying the character's inner struggles and the moral dilemmas of his gift with nuance.

The cinematography of The Face Reader is breathtaking, with stunning visuals of the Korean landscape and intricately designed Joseon-era costumes. The film's score adds to the overall immersive experience of viewing a period drama.

The Face Reader has won numerous awards, including Best Film and Best Actor at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards. It was also screened at various international film festivals, such as Cannes and the Toronto International Film Festival.

In conclusion, The Face Reader is an excellent example of an intelligent and engaging Korean historical drama. The film presents a captivating storyline, exceptional performances, stunning visual effects, and captivating music. The movie successfully brings to life the art of physiognomy within the Korean cultural context while exploring themes of power and loyalty. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in historical dramas, Korean culture, and the art of face reading.

The Face Reader is a 2014 art house & international movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.