Headless paupers and princes for Ruler–Master of the Mask posters
by tineybeanie
Preeeetty posters for upcoming Joseon-era drama Ruler–Master of the Mask have just been released. Granted, they do lack something critical: Yoo Seung-ho’s (Remember–Son’s War) beautiful face. But the contrast between the two figures in the elaborate blue and red ceremonial robes, without knowing who they are, does stir curiosity and lend an air of mystery.
Ruler–Master of the Mask is about a crown prince who’s forced to wear a mask as he fights a political war against a powerful hidden faction in his government that seeks to control the nation’s water supply. In the midst of this dangerous internal strife, the crown prince falls in love with a woman who only seeks him out to wreak her revenge on him for executing her father. Kim So-hyun will be playing this character, and I’m so excited to see her in sageuk clothes because she was absolutely gorgeous in The Lonely Shining Goblin.
The recently released posters do not feature her, but center around the enigma surrounding the masked prince. In the first, two figures with dragon emblems adorning their robes face away from each other, while both holding iron masks. Traditionally, red is the color for the king while the crown prince usually wears blue. So does this signify the relationship between the father and son, or is it showing the prince’s past and future juxtaposed together? The copy says, “What can I do to change this corrupt world?”
The copy reads the same on both of the posters below: “I am this Joseon nation’s crown prince, Lee Sun,” but they show completely different stations in life. In the second poster, a pauper walks along a dirt road with peasant huts in the background, while holding the red ceremonial robes in one hand and a mask in the other. The third poster is a closeup of the left side of the first poster, showing a figure in the crown prince’s blue robes with the magnificent palace in the distance.
Perhaps these posters are alluding to L’s (She’s So Lovable) story arc, because he’s supposed to be the prince’s double, whose origins come from the lowest of the low. He’s highly intelligent, but as the son of a butcher, his status in life limits his options and opportunities. (People who dealt with animals and blood on a daily basis were considered to be “dirty,” and were regarded to be on a lower social tier.) I’m not quite sure how this relationship will work out, but I can’t wait to see it soon.
MBC’s Wednesday-Thursday sageuk Ruler–Master of the Mask will premiere on May 10.
Via Osen
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1 gaeinalee
April 10, 2017 at 10:20 AM
These posters reminded me of this quote: "“Behind every mask there is a face, and behind that a story.” ― Marty Rubin ―
I'm sold. Completely.
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2 rockyroad
April 10, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Ha! the first poster reminds me of those headless historical romance novels covers.. just creepier.
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UmbrellaMan
April 10, 2017 at 10:27 AM
Hahaha. Yes it does kinda have that vibe. Let's hope it doesn't have that kind of storytelling though...
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3 blo
April 10, 2017 at 10:23 AM
Posters are gorgeous. So many sageuks this year but I can make time for Yoo Seung-ho and Kim So-hyun. This drama will be beautiful in more than one way.
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cozybooks
April 10, 2017 at 12:23 PM
I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking there have been an unusually large number of sageuks this year. I want to try this one, too, but I have an absolutely horrendous record of finishing sageuks. We'll see!
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blo
April 10, 2017 at 2:25 PM
Same here. I have a short attention span so unless they hold up all the way through, I drop out at some point.
Have you tried Six Flying Dragons?
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cozybooks
April 10, 2017 at 7:46 PM
I have, but I didn't get very far into it. I think it was a decision between Signal and SFD at the time and Signal won out. Also, the episode length scared me. It's totally still on the list though!
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blo
April 10, 2017 at 8:53 PM
aww That's understandable. I always worry about starting a long show because I don't want to love a show, only to be disappointed later on. That's happened way too many times. Which is bad for me because I also have a terrible time finishing a series unless I'm watching while it's airing. I thoroughly loved SFD but I understand that it may not be for everyone.
loudspeaker
April 10, 2017 at 4:11 PM
I am not a fan of sageuks drama but I will give this a go just for Yoo Seung Ho.
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ninani
April 11, 2017 at 8:50 AM
This is so me. Hahahahaaa..
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4 Chandler
April 10, 2017 at 10:28 AM
These are pretty awesome. I'm glad it's not the typical sageuk poster. I'm thinking both figures in the first must be him. It doesn't say anything about his father having a mask too, but I could be wrong.
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5 Chandler
April 10, 2017 at 10:32 AM
Lol, if it is just him, I gotta commend his style. Haha, customizing his masks to match his robes!
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6 mayday
April 10, 2017 at 10:32 AM
Posters are awesome, teasers are great, and this premieres on the last day of my exams!! So excited :)
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7 Itenoria
April 10, 2017 at 10:36 AM
The mask and story has me thinking of the prince and the pauper. Maybe a switching of L's character and Seon. What other way to hide behind a mask than to hide behind a double? Anyway, I'm so excited for this. Hopefully it won't fail me like the sageuk that shall not be named. Just know that it ends with a word close "pan" and I never want to hear the word gambling for a long, long while.
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Jessi Bear
April 11, 2017 at 6:20 AM
Ooooh I wouldn't mind if any story inspiration is drawn from Prince and the Pauper at all
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8 nunchiberry
April 10, 2017 at 10:37 AM
The hype is reallllll.
Yoo Seung Ho and Kim So Hyun are a dream pairing of two extraordinarily talented child actors who only get better with time. Now that they're taking on leads in a historical drama, a type that they've both had experience in, it'll be a wonder if Ruler's ratings doesn't match or even surpass TMETS, one of So Hyun's best sageuk dramas to date.
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kiara
April 10, 2017 at 11:17 AM
I'm not trying to burst your bubble but realistically I don't see any show surpassing "Moon Sun's" national drama status. ( I'm still scratching my head over it's success). Actors are not the only ones that contribute to a show's high ratings. I'd take the humble approach when it comes to ratings these days because there has been some sleeper dramas that took the ratings from the over hyped ones.
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cutie
April 10, 2017 at 12:06 PM
I agree with you it's not just possible for ruler to surpass moon sun..
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nunchiberry
April 10, 2017 at 2:19 PM
Whatever happens, I just hope that it'll be a good watch!
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cutie
April 10, 2017 at 2:25 PM
Yes *praying* ;D
jfongers
April 10, 2017 at 6:13 PM
It'll probably be difficult because of the other dramas being aired in that same time slot, but I do hope this drama achieves high ratings!
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9 kiara
April 10, 2017 at 10:41 AM
Love the posters! I wish I was excited about the writer and director.
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Chandler
April 10, 2017 at 11:40 AM
I like the director's early contemporary works, like Soulmate and Hello Francesca. But yeah, I have no idea what to expect when it comes to sageuk. The Kill Me, Heal Me director did much better than I expected with Rebel though so maybe we'll get lucky here too.
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kiara
April 10, 2017 at 4:24 PM
Soulmate yes. I have not seen Francesca. I'm on the same boat with you. Don't know what to expect. Rebel was a nice surprise for me even though I'm not that impressed with the latest turn of events. It's still way better than any sageuks from last year.
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 6:55 PM
The writer is a newbie. I don't know what to expect. But since she's new, I hope she can give us something different. A debuting writer must have that kind of thinking - to make your piece away from the usual one. But I still didn't want to keep my hopes high since we're talking about a melo saguek drama (not a coming of age saguek) As per the director, I haven't seen any of his works. His latest one is on 2014. I'm putting my trust to them not to waste this dream OTP. *fingers cross*
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byeol
April 11, 2017 at 12:25 PM
Are the writers really a newbie? Cause I saw the script reading video, under park hyejin writer have 4 movies : kundo, nameless gangster, new world, yellow sea and Jung Hyeri writer have 2 dramas i think, gyebaek n another one i cant pin point the name
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Emm
April 11, 2017 at 2:45 PM
They were one of the many assistant writers for those movies. This is their first time writing a full drama on their own
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by
April 12, 2017 at 12:05 AM
ahhhhhhhhhhh......understand.
10 ObsessedMuch
April 10, 2017 at 10:43 AM
Is it just me who thought of Nearly Headless Nick and his desire to be part of the 'Headless Hunt'?
P.S. The posters look beautiful but the blue colour (though gloomy here) is making me miss Moonlight.
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randomsupergirl
April 10, 2017 at 5:48 PM
Omg I thought the same!!! ? And yeah these posters do remind me of Moonlight too! Def the best saeguk of 2016 for me ?
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11 TrinPie
April 10, 2017 at 10:48 AM
Such beautiful posters. I am really loving the feeling they evoke.
Really looking forward to this drama! One of the 3 I am most anticipating.
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12 Sere
April 10, 2017 at 11:03 AM
The posters are gorgeous and give off a mysterious vibe. Lovely! I think these are some of the most original designs I've seen recently.
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13 Caesalpinia
April 10, 2017 at 11:11 AM
the posters are so gorgeous yet give a creepy vibe. I hope the story doesn't flop. Finger crossed!
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14 Grapes
April 10, 2017 at 11:12 AM
What an amazing poster, every teaser, every poster, everything about this drama makes me more excited, I can't wait to see my favorite child actress KSH on my screen. Jebaaaal! live up to my expectations.
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15 slim007
April 10, 2017 at 11:19 AM
I can't wait for may 10...... It's torture waiting for my dongsaeng Kim so hyun
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16 hyades
April 10, 2017 at 11:52 AM
For some reasons, the name of this show remind me of " the man in the iron mask" movie. Did anyone has this feeling?
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Min
April 11, 2017 at 10:26 AM
Maybe it's a cross between Man in the Iron Mask and Prince and the Pauper. I would definitely try to tune in for that crossover
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17 juniebug
April 10, 2017 at 11:54 AM
I am so excited for this drama! I simply love Kim So-hyun after her performance in The Moon That Embraces the Sun :) This will be my first drama with Yoo Seung-ho and I'm interested to see how he acts! As for the posters, the entire theme is intriguing and I'm led to believe that both figures are him... but they look amazing!
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 7:10 PM
The official instagram & twitter of Ruler posted a video greeting of L wearing king's robe.. Which messed up my previous assumptions LOL. I'm thinking if he will be the double of YSH during his reign of being a king or did it start when YSH is still the crown prince.
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juniebug
April 10, 2017 at 7:40 PM
Okay at this point I'm really confused LOL buttt I can already sense some confusion all over the place in the drama like I'm guessing (since they both have identical masks) that people mistake them for each other... if that makes any sense. Maybe L is YSH's double since YSH was crown prince but now this drama is making me more and more excited lol
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18 dramabird
April 10, 2017 at 12:01 PM
Love the play of light, shadow and color in these posters. They do a great job of hooking you into wanting to know more about the mystery and intrigue to come. Hope the writing lives up to the promise of these posters!
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19 frabbycrabsis
April 10, 2017 at 12:02 PM
Chilling, I can't wait.
(But seriously, there is not enough Kim So-hyun in all these teasers!)
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20 Anni
April 10, 2017 at 12:05 PM
Oh my gosh, these posters look really gorgeous! I'm really loving the artistry and detail in this! Also I'm so excited for this drama!
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21 fay17
April 10, 2017 at 12:08 PM
Saw L's 'the day after we broke up' recently. So now I really really wish there were a parallel love arc for L and Yoon So Hee,sobs. These two made it work, and the chemistry was too strong.
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 6:37 PM
Comment was deleted
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22 yuyuu
April 10, 2017 at 12:11 PM
But you guys... how many dramas are premiering on May 10? Seems like every upcoming drama I wanna watch airs that day >.<
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sicarius
April 10, 2017 at 2:07 PM
too many. too many. *cries in the corner*
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 6:56 PM
There are two, Suspicious Partner & Ruler: Master of the Mask. Third-rate my way is on May 8, Seven Day Queen is on May 31 and Circle is on May 22
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evelynray
April 10, 2017 at 7:04 PM
Man, that's MANY. MANY. May the force be with US
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 7:26 PM
That's a total of 5 & to include the April dramas.. I'm thinking to have my kdrama- watching planner ASAP
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23 cutie
April 10, 2017 at 12:12 PM
The poster look beautiful..
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24 Endo
April 10, 2017 at 12:35 PM
This is giving me Wang So (LJK) vibes.
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25 jillian
April 10, 2017 at 12:37 PM
These posters make me excited for a drama that wasnt on my list. Since it has Yoo Seungho and Kim SoHyun I will see if its my cup of tea. That photo at the top intrigues me the most!
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26 wildflower
April 10, 2017 at 12:46 PM
Can May just come already! Can't wait for this drama =)
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27 Mandy
April 10, 2017 at 1:16 PM
SO DAMN EXCITED! YSH looks already in top form in all the teasers - I suppose he always is anyway - but the posters look haunting and mysterious, I love it!
I'm definitely waiting for the OTP posters and teasers though. I really want to see YSH and KSH in something super romantic - whether that be a scene or a picture. Fingers crossed everything works for this drama because the leads are literally dream come true pairing.
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 6:41 PM
Me too. I'm waiting for YSH & KSH teaser interaction. They've already showed as enough material to stir up our curiosity to the 'mask plot' please give us our OTP *dying*
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28 bossu
April 10, 2017 at 3:49 PM
A completely newbie writer for sageuk? Huh they must be really confident, since usually sageuk is more expensive to produce.
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 6:27 PM
I'm skeptic to a newbie writer for a sageuk at the early stage of this drama's development. I'm anxious that they will place most of the burden to our established actors (YSH & KSH). But after seeing the teasers, teaser posters & still cuts I'm starting to think I'm anxious for nothing. The production team is capable & all I'm always looking forward to what more they can offer.
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29 FritzB
April 10, 2017 at 4:21 PM
Not only do the colors of the robes designate King and Crown Prince, but the dragon emblems do as well. The King's dragon will always have 5 toes on each foot; the Crown Prince's dragon will have 4 toes on each foot. FYI: If the Crown Prince has an eldest son, his dragon would have 3 toes on each foot. With sageuk, it's all about the details.
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weaselking
April 10, 2017 at 7:09 PM
Yup, even a crown prince can wear a red dragon robe, it's all in the toes of the dragon. :D
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30 paroles
April 10, 2017 at 4:26 PM
I think the posters look great!
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31 realiti
April 10, 2017 at 4:32 PM
Whenever I see Kim So Hyun take selfies in sageuk clothing (in her character) every now and again in her instagram, it just pumps me up more each time to the point I'm about to burst of excitement waiting for this!! AgrH! I must reign in this ginormous expectation!
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32 myungmyung
April 10, 2017 at 5:30 PM
I'M EXCITED FOR THIS!!! MYUNGSOO! ?
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33 randomsupergirl
April 10, 2017 at 5:47 PM
These posters look amazing. Can't wait!!!!
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34 raffythequizzard
April 10, 2017 at 6:18 PM
These posters made me more excited about Ruler. MBC already made me mesmerized through Rebel, and now this.
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35 Evelia
April 10, 2017 at 6:50 PM
I am really interested in this drama. The posters do a pretty good job of bringing a sense of mystery.
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36 wackycashew
April 10, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Wow!! I really love these beautifully crafted posters!! And totally anticipating this series!!!
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37 lezah
April 10, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Random comment but - Kim So Hyun was absolutely gorgeous in Goblin but they replayed that arrow scene so many times that now I might have PTSD just watching her in sageuk again, LOL!
I usually get bored of sageuks if they're too long, but eh, Yoo Seung Ho. I'll definitely give this show a try!
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byeol
April 10, 2017 at 7:16 PM
I love KSH hairstyle in Goblin (the side bangs) she's gorgeous! and I think her stylist loved it also because she still have the same bangs here in ruler but with her hair down. I don't know but I just love KSH in sagueks.
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38 evelynray
April 10, 2017 at 7:03 PM
it's May 10 again! Suspicious Partner is airing that time. And many other dramas im looking forward to are even airing in the month of May. I pray for all us.....
T_T
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39 weaselking
April 10, 2017 at 7:06 PM
Reminded me a bit of the movie Daerib Forces poster, although their concept is more on faceless rather than headless. XD http://pds.joins.com/news/component/htmlphoto_mmdata/201703/09/7a939182-dfb5-4672-a3b0-5297aecbff48.jpg
Anyway this is Sohyun's first lead in sageuk, right? I hope this drama will be really good~~ I remember first watching Yoo Seungho in The Way Home years back, watching the teasers he's grown up so handsome.
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40 byeol
April 10, 2017 at 7:20 PM
One word -- Mysterious.
Ofcourse this have to be a test posters only. We need Yoo Seung Ho's beautiful face in the official posters LOL. Please don't let the next [teaser] posters to have his face covered with a mask (did I just give them an idea?)
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41 oppadokkaebi012
April 10, 2017 at 8:12 PM
Well, was I the only one who was kinda freaked out of the posters? Since you know, they're headless and the joseon vibe kinda adds freakiness in it? hahaha anyway, excite for the story to unfold between these two ex-child stars (be it a love story or a creepy story HAHA)
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42 medusaspeaks
April 10, 2017 at 8:51 PM
Been reading the site for years. 1st time commenter. Really excited to see this drama. I don't watch a lot of historical shows because they tend to run long (short attention span. lol)
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43 myungmyung
April 10, 2017 at 9:40 PM
I'M EXCITED FOR THIS DRAMA! ESPECIALLY FOR MYUNGSOO!! ?
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44 azzo
April 10, 2017 at 10:21 PM
Very pretty. The peasant holding the King's red robes and the mask, hmm.. intriguing! Excited for this.
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45 NormaYSH
April 10, 2017 at 10:41 PM
I think this drama will be Good and The best of this year.! You know YSH is talendted actor and he's really the best for acting.
I can't wait YSH and KSH in this drama.. please give mee this drama..!!!! I'm waiting for a long time. ruler daebakk!!
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46 esorual
April 11, 2017 at 12:42 AM
Damn, those are some really nice posters! I am totally excited for this drama and have been for a while. Yoo Seung Ho x Kim So Hyun were literally my dream pairing and I was so happy when I knew they were doing this drama together!
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47 kidlyd
April 11, 2017 at 3:26 AM
Those posters really hooked up my expectation and I'm starting to countdown to May 10th. Can't wait for the official posters which will not feature headless Prince/king anymore.
The way the real prince/fake prince carry the masks looked indeed creepy as some said.
Anyway it's interesting with the decoy plot when the fake one turns out to be the antagonist.
p/s: I didn't really notice the headless part until I read Dramabean title. It didnt just look creepy, it sounded creepy too..
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48 mintkiri
April 11, 2017 at 6:07 AM
Colour me intrigued. Though I'm not partial to sageuk, must watch this for Kim So Hyun.
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49 Jessi Bear
April 11, 2017 at 6:40 AM
Forgot that L is attached to this. Now doubly excited. What a cast of brilliant young actors.
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50 ijaymia
April 11, 2017 at 9:02 AM
This is beautiful....a poster without faces that shows alot
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