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The prince casts off his mask to fight for the people in Ruler—Master of the Mask

We’ve made it beanies! We are now 5 days away from the premiere of MBC’s Ruler—Master of the Mask, and the show is busy in its last promo spurt. The drama has just released an extended trailer, as well as some more pretty stills of our main cast on the set. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve been waiting for this drama for foreveerrrr.

The teaser begins with the prince’s birth in the palace, and Dae-mok, the villainous head of the shadow organization Pyeonsoohwae played by Heo Joon-ho (Beautiful Mind), boldly ordering the king to bring the prince before him. Huh, well, at least we know where we first stand in the power struggle between the royal family and Pyeonsoohwae. The king gravely requests of his son, “You must grow the strength to fight against them. One day, I pray that you will take off this mask and become a true ruler.” We see the military strength Pyeonsoohwae wields, and the king placing the titular mask over the face of his infant son.

We fast-forward to grown-up prince Lee Sun—portrayed by Yoo Seung-ho (Remember—Son’s War)—who is constantly hounded by rumors that he has to wear his mask because he’s cursed or diseased. As mentioned in earlier reports, he leaves the palace in search for answers, and while running away from the guards, he bumps into Ga-eun, played by Kim So-hyun (Bring It On, Ghost). Can I just say, I LOVE how she literally catches him in her arms, all reverse damsel-in-distress. That made my day.

The meet-cute scene was in a previous teaser as well, where the prince asks her whether she thinks he’s handsome and he flirts with her, but I have absolutely zero complaints about watching it all over again. *Rewind, play, repeat* Ga-eun is initially unimpressed with the prince and takes issue with him speaking down to her, to which he replies, “I’m someone who can do that.” Yeah, prince or no prince, you’re kind of asking for it when she stomps on your foot, hee. I have to admit, I squealed a little when the prince looked mighty pleased to find that Ga-eun isn’t betrothed. Great, now I know this drama is gonna tear my heart out when the eventual tragedy strikes.

Ga-eun and the peasant Lee Sun—portrayed by L (She’s So Lovable)—lead the prince to Woo-bo (played by Park Chul-min of Moonlight Drawn By Clouds), who is the first to inform the prince of the existence of Pyeonsoohwae. We see the king outnumbered in political allies in his own court, and that Dae-mok controls a vast army of warriors and politicians. The king rages at Dae-mok for his plan to privatize Joseon’s water supply, and Dae-mok says to his followers, “That water will supply our coffers!” The prince launches an investigation into Pyeonsoohwae’s efforts, but it looks like the king is threatened with the prince’s life, so the king orders the arrest and execution of Ga-eun’s father while ignoring the prince’s tear-filled protests. Eugh, the heartbreak is hard to take already. I’m gonna be a mess.

It looks like Woo-bo and Dae-mok also have some history together, as Woo-bo laments, “I see you have given up on being human and have become a dog.” We get a glimpse of Yoon So-hee’s (Memory) Hwa-goon character, when she asks her grandfather Dae-mok what would happen if she steals the prince’s heart. He replies, “Then you will have to make him watch his tongue.”

We see the prince lead his pauper into the palace and inform his father of his intention to make the pauper take his place. Flashes of intense fighting are shown as a woman asks offscreen, “Has anyone in this kingdom survived a fight with Dae-mok?” And the prince cries to his father, “I never asked to be the crown prince!” Hmmm, it looks like it’s still peasant Lee Sun behind the mask when he ascends the throne; I wonder whether that’s another power struggle the real prince will have to overcome.

This trailer promises epicness and heartrending angst in spades, and I am so ready for this show to start already. Take my tears, Ruler, I will gladly hand them over. Ruler—Master of the Mask will begin next Wednesday, May 10.

Via iMBC (1), iMBC (2), Sports Chosun, Insight, Naver TV

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Can't waitttttttt! Ruler , you may rule my heart.

Kim so hyun constantly surprises my by tackling so many different roles. I can't believe she is only 17.

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Oh right, I forgot she's only 17! This lady! ?

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That scene where she catch him from falling was gold..

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YAS. Talk about flipping those damn gender roles.

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lmao. switch gender, right? I love it. So hilarious.

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Lol talking about switch gender roles, I love how beautiful the first photo (of this post) and.. hilarious
He's inside the palanquin covering himself with a hanbok and she's the one outside.
I'm taking it as though she's waiting for his prince charming to finally step up or she's trying to rescue him and offer her hand for a help. Ghash forgive me. It's just that this show is giving me a lot of feels ?

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Totally counting down to this show!! Been anticipating for the longest time!! Love the cast and I'm ready for a good sageuk!! ?

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Master of the Mask coming soon! And this on the heels of rewatching Moon Lovers (mask theme). Yoo Seung-ho, can't wait ~

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Moon Lovers was one of my favourite sagueks of last year. That drama did strange things to my emotions.

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BRING ON THE ANGSTTTT!!!!!!

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Not trying to rain on Ruler's parade, but judging from this teaser, L is still pretty bad. The rest, I'm looking forward to. Kim So-hyun is great as always, and so pretty.

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Oof. I kinda saw that, too. Also with Yoon So-hee! I hope there's more to them than the little snippets we saw of them in this trailer.

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I actually hope not. I'd rather the drama focuses on the main leads because the second leads are not going to make me very happy. Yoon So-hee can possibly manage but my heavens L is just as terrible as he's forever been in just a few seconds. Ugh I hope I'm wrong.

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I approve this comment!

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Oh my goodness, yes, I'm totally with you in that the show should totally focus on the main leads (but they probably won't seeing that L's role is kinda important as the prince's stand-in). What I was saying was that I hope both L and So-hee show more potential (to be good/better than what is shown in these promo vids) in the actual drama and they carry out their roles well, not wanting to see more of them. Heh. I didn't want to judge them off of only a few seconds and wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I actually don't care much for L's (although I AM curious to find out how and why he's chosen to be the one to disguise as the prince behind the mask) and So-hee's characters, but I don't think they'll be cast aside so easily, so I'm hoping at least they'll be good.

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I don't watch "Rebel" because I can feel a "massacre drama" vibe from it, meaning lots of characters won't end the show alive. It's not spoilers, I'm just speculating!
I don't watch Saimdang 'cause it didn't click with me...

I need some Sageuk! Show, come quickly!

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So much sageuk are coming!

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I am beyond excited for this drama! Keen as a bean

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D-4 ????

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*chants in circles* Please be good DramaGods! Please be good!

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I'm afraid this drama will disappoint me because everything we've seen so far has built up the excitement for me. THIS BETTER BE GOOD!!! It looks awesome and tragic. Bring on the angst!

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Same with me!! In fact, I can't help remember my baby Lee Jun Ki's sageuks while reading this article and that scare me because Scarlet Heart and Scholar (...) were great disappointment for me! And back then, I had a hard time recovering from that!
Fingers crossed!

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Chills.

Can't wait to check this out next week! I'm ready to give Show all my tears, too. I just don't get HOW (and why) the butcher's son gets to don the prince's royal mask and be in his place. I predict lots of blood and tears to be shed–the latter will be on my end, as well. Bring it on, Show!

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I can already hear my heart tearing to pieces.....

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I AM SOOOOOOO READY

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Yes, take all my feels!!!!! TAKE IT!!! I'm ready to be ripped to shreds. I haven't watched any Wed/Thurs dramas in a while so I hope this fills the hole.

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A dream pairing right here! I cannot wait to see Seungho and Sohyun on ma screen.

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Am I the only one excited to see how badass Heo Joon Ho is? He was very good in Beautiful Mind but he looks even more awesome here. It also helps that he has what I call a 'saeguk face' ?

I'm already sold on YSH and KSH but since when has KSH not have a chemistry with anyone?

Even L looks fine in this teaser. I think the mask might help to cover his inadequacies. He needs a good PD. I've seen how a PD can help make an actor look better than he actually is at acting.

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Yes! Badass Heo Joon Ho in a sageuk is perfect. Plus the all black costume and the dark 'office' with the Pyeonsoonhwae shining logo at the back. I have to comment how much I like the design of that room. Never seen a villain's room like that in a saguek before. It showed how influential Dae Mok is. The show makes it look like he have his own throne and fancy room. Geeez.. the antagonistic feels is overflowing.

With regards to L, I think the mask can possibly make it worst because it means that he have to emote through his eyes and deliver the emotions to the viewers through it since his whole face is covered & we'll only be looking to those two tiny holes. I agree that a good PD can work on it. Although it's hard and it requires doubled effort to achieve it (lots of retake for camera angles and such)

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Woah! The trailer makes me eager to watch this drama. It's epic!!!! Kim Soo Hyun is ?.

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Kim SO Hyun!

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i'm not much of a yoo seungho fan but i'm always in a mood for an epic sageuk. i'll be looking forward to this

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MBC is promoting this intensely since they've been in a slump. They even had a teaser in last year's drama awards.

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What's wrong with that?

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Nothing in particular. But excessive media-play is bound to backfire if the project doesn't exceed the now very high public expectations that MBC has been setting on this since last year. Ruler is viewed more favorably because of the leads but this tactic just reminded me of Moon Lovers and Uncontrollably Fond, which were also pre-produced and failed miserably.

(I'm a mainstay of Naver so I experience first-hand the push this is getting from MBC compared to its other dramas or any soon-to-air drama. So it really better be good.)

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Firstly, Ruler promotions only really began in April so I won't say they've been promoting for a long time and the teaser at the drama awards was a complete non-teaser since it told us nothing whatsoever. And MBC has been constantly releasing still cuts and interviews for King Loves even before the drama had an air date/time slot. JTBC did the same with ManxMan. In fact all the JTBC dramas got a major magazine spread.

Secondly, this is only about 60% pre produced since they've only filmed about 12-13 episodes at present and will be filming well into May and June much like SWDBS.

Lastly, I think by now people have learnt to keep their expectations at a normal level for pre-produced dramas given everything that happened last year and then this year with Saimdang.

And SP has been promoting excessively in the last 2-3 weeks as well so I think it's safe to say that both drama's are at an equal footing for now.

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I don't know why you're trying so hard to prove that they are not promoting so heavily, really. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's not even a bad thing, it's just that some productions have been burned by overly-enthusiastic PR teams so stations should proceed cautiously.

MBC is in a slump, so the pressure to deliver is already high. I mean, whatever you say, it was still a teaser. They even have both the leads present at their award show to create buzz that early. That's already promotion, same with The King's Love. Stations don't even normally do that, they reserve that for their prestige projects which Ruler is for MBC.

Of course, SP is an underdog. We didn't even know about it two months ago. Whatever, I'm done with the back-and-forth.

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That was my point, the production team hasn't be over promoting as much as I would like them to. For a drama that's been in production since Jan the lack of BTS videos and cast interactions has been killing! Didn't mean to come across as hostile. My apologies!

But can a drama with JCW ever be an underdog though? K2 was impossible to watch but did so well! I can't even wrap my head around that.

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Gurl, they did start promoting early. Like, come on. Seven Day Queen, which will premiere two weeks after Ruler just dropped a teaser that didn't allude to any plot at all. Ruler dropped theirs last year!

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@Globe

I know JCW is beloved by overseas fans but he's not really top-tier leading man in So-Kor. He hasn't headlined certified hit in a public channel yet. YSH and KSH have higher public recognition than JCW or NJH.

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@Sam

I still think for a drama that started production in Jan the promotions have been too few. Saimdang, UF, DOTS & Hwarang had way more. I would prefer more BTS videos and a magazine spread to be honest. And the still cuts and trailers are all from scenes they shot way back when. I don't even think it goes beyond the first 3 episodes. It's too little! :(

@Kim

Oh I didn't know that! From the comments on Naver I assumed he had an immense popularity in S.Korea as well. He keeps trending every few days.

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@Globe Well, of course. Since it's not a drama aimed to sell to China with a star writer, nor it has an ensemble cast full of Hallyu stars like those you've mentioned. But compared to others, it is indeed getting a massive push. /end

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@Sam - I would just like to state that this drama has already been sold to Taiwan which last I checked was still part of China. IQyi will be airing it if I'm not wrong.

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I maybe in the minority but I feel different. What I see is that MBC is promoting it LESS than what they expect in return. Their wed-thurs are consistenly on the bottom so it's given that they expect to get back on the track through this show but the PR team must work more if they expect greater.

The hype came mostly from the name of the casts (which is pretty much like moon lovers). The promotions they gave us are the usual materials. No excessive behind the scenes. Its just that the promotional campaign started early given that it is pre produced and the station itself is really excited.

Regarding SP, The news came out a bit late but it is not a total underdog (not the LOTBS vs WLFKBJ type) considering it have Ji Chang Wook + it is his last drama before enlistment + it's not an action. The promotions this past few weeks are consistent and appealing so let's expect a tough ratings competition. *grabs a popcorn*

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Actually Ji Chang Wook is not considered a ratings draw in Korea. He was always known to be more popular overseas especially in China than domestically. I think Master has wed-thurs ratings in the bag unless the script fails and the directing goes south. Yoo Seung Ho is extremely popular in Korea. Even his last drama which honestly had a pretty terrible script and less than stellar chemistry with Park Min Young did 18%.

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Remember son's war hits 20%

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Considering that Ruler has a newbie writer and a director with no saeguk experience and KSH herself saying they could've done better in some areas I'd say being concerned about the ratings is only fair. Not to mention the 2nd leads are less than desirable in the acting department.

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Yikes! She said that? Oh dear, I hope she was just being modest. Still, I can take flaws as long as the whole thing works.

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It was a passing comment in her Vlive today so I'm not sure what to make of it either but hoping the drama will be awesome!

Here's the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.vlive.tv/video/29451

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Watching for her because she won't disappoint.
I can see why they went fictional with the characters here. There is no way anyone would order King Yeongjo around like that.

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@ the comments above me. Mbc never over promotes this drama, the reason why they showed the first teaser last year was because it started shooting at dec 26, four days lAter was the award show. It was tiring waiting for this drama really due to non updates from mbc their selves, it was last month that they started promoting this drama very well, the way their supposed to..

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Finally a new drama I'm super excited for! I've been in a strange drama lull as of late. Hope this is a good one! *prays to kdrama gods*

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That reverse falling-catching is pure GOLD! Please let there be plenty of gender reversals in this drama! Saeguk heroine's breaking gender molds are the best!

I've been trying to keep my expectations for this drama very low but everytime I see YSH & KSH together its just....WAAA!!

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As far as what the show gave us, Ga Eun is not the typical noble woman in Joseon Era. She can horse ride and hold a sword since she came from a clan of swordfighters. We are yet to see much If sword fighting is necessary for her plan of revenge if not making the prince fall inlove then eventually break his heart and stab him for a double kill. Though we know it will not happen before she finds herself falling in love with him. But at least, give us some badass fighting kim so hyun please.

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I'm happy with the dagger in the heart, literally or metaphorically! Lol!

KSH playing strong female leads is a given and to think she's achieved that niche so early on in her career. So proud!

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Cheonaaaa!!! Please let this drama be good!!?

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We'll expect a great acting from two experienced child actors. A young actress is suitable with Yoo Seung Ho so Kim SoHyun is just perfect for him. I can sense some The Princess' Man vibes from this drama. Politics + Romance + Sageuk + RomeoJuliet type of drama. Can't wait!

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The prince fall in love to Ga Eun and befriended butcher lee seon. There was an emotional attachment already since it looks like they were the first persons he met outside the palace and saw his face.

Prince lee seon bringing in the pauper himself showed how much he trusts butcher lee seon.
So if the pauper will really go dark later on as we suspects, we will both expect a friend's betrayal and a tragic romance. *shoots two arrows straight to the heart* ??

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I felt the intensity of this drama in my bones! It's almost here and to say that I'm excited is an understatement! So-hyun is so pretty ??? and Seung-ho, okay, giving you the liberty to steal my heart. I still remember the first time I saw him in Master of Study. Waaah~ And that chicken looks good. Lol.

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Kim so hyun is the only teenage actress that breaks the norm,while are other teen actresses play the usual expected wrist grab and falling into the hero's arms.... Kim so hyun step out first in let's fight ghost when she did the reverse and dragged taecyeon out by the wrist now she is gonna catch falling yoo seung ho in her arms *slow clap* and you expect me not to love and respect this younger actress who is gonna put 35 years old actresses who still play candy roles to shame.

Only few actresses who started their acting career as an antagonists become top and really popular actresses and again Kim so hyun prove to be different. I will always be a kim so hyun fan no matter how much hate she get from other actress shallow fans.

Hwaiting uri dongsaeng,unnie can't wait for May 10 anymore.

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Love every word of your comment!!!

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Pls be good pls be good oh plssssss be goooooood T.T The leads already shot my expectation high in the air oooomf.

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Finally! D-4! I've been waiting since the casting announcement on 11th November! Time seems to have flown by too slow and too fast at the same time!

Not to throw shade but what's with all the down votes on the positive comments about the leads? How can anyone not love those two? (⊙_⊙)

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I am puzzled about the down votes as well. It's not that everyone must love the leads, it's just weird that you would down vote just because you disagree that the actor is good.

Frankly, I am not a YSH fan(which earned me a down vote in a previous post) but I won't down vote people who thinks he's a great actor.

About the down votes here, I suspect it's more on Kim So Hyun. Either someone dislikes her a lot or there's some rivalry among the competing shows. I saw someone getting a down vote on Suspicious Partner post just because she said she couldn't decide whether to watch SP or Ruler. I don't know what's so wrong with that?

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I don't want to focus on whether it's coz of one person or the other but just saying that it's so pointless. If you don't like them just like don't read their articles and every single comment on that article. I don't understand hating on people for the sake of being spiteful.

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It happens. Anyway, I just want to be trigger happy with the 'like' button and not the other.

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Lol, i thought i was the only person that noticed, it's like the person is an hater of the casts giving every single thing about this drama thumbs down..

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Eww. A bitter soul spent his time downvoting everyone. Pathetic.

Anyway, Yoon Sohee and L's voice is bothering me, more so with that YinYang symbol on Heo Junho's room. It looks like LED to me. And we're in Joseon for Pete's sake.

KSH and YSH never fail to amaze me though. KSH started the reverse wrist-grab in LFG, and now she's gonna catch falling YSH in her arms. I love Gaeun so much already. And please, please give us the fluffy before all the tragedy kicks in. T.T

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I don't get it. If the show is not your cup or tea better stay away from it. Why bother to downvote everyone. Hating is bad for your health beanie ?

And I have to agree on this, that as much as I like the ambiance and how the room was designed, that shining symbol and windows (?) are so out of place. So do it have some kind of lighted purple candles at the back?

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If you stop and zoom in on that scene you'll notice that it's actually daylight streaming through the opening but I admit it looks kinda weird. What happens at night? Is the symbol not visible at night? It looks super cool but just not sure it's era appropriate.

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It did looks like a daylight but funny how the room is full of candles. So they fully covered the room to block any light from entering aside through the symbol and windows. It is like, "Look! this room is the dark side's den so even though it's day time outside, it's still dark in here".
I'll be disappointed if it's night time and its still glowing brightly. Better show us the big lighted candle at the back for my petty concern LOL .

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Can't wait for next week for the first episode.

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Now we know why he wore the red robe in the still. He did became a king!
I can't wait to watch Kim So Hyun in action! I love this girl ❤

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A crowm prince can wear a red robe, too. I mean, When he is in charge of running the court on behalf of the king. It depends on the number of claws of the dragon on the robe. Crown prince Sado wore red robe, too.

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Oops, I didn't know that with my lack of knowledge about historical facts. Thank you for correcting that :)

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The teaser makes me feel like i've started watching this already!!!! I'm literally out of breath just for the teaser so i know this drama is going to drive crazy!!! Why are they doing this to me i have exams??

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Better face your exams ;D

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The last sageuk I watch was Hwarang and we all know how that show went down, I just want a good sageuk please, from start to finish...

SHOW PLS BE GOOD *Praying*

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Newbie writers maybe a better choice if they can deliver a unique plot. I have watched so many shows with the same plots recently. I tried Shopping king Louis which is from a newbie writer and it was good. I became a fan of Nam Ji Hyun due to that show, too. The bad thing is, Ruler and Suspicious Partner will start exactly the same day with exactly the same time slot. Well, I am planning of crying my eyes out with Ruler first, then laugh like a loon to cure my poor little heart later.

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Oh! Be still my heart..

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D-3. Han Ga Eun fighting?

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I have been waiting sooooooooooooo long for this drama!

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I love you Myungsoo-ah but please do not ruin the drama for me. :')

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well it looks like yoo seung ho will b awesome as always and i'll have the pleasure of looking at the pretty with the beautiful couple he makes with kim so hyun <3

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So excited for this!!!! And so intense!!!!

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Uh-oh, looks like my heart strings have been pulled again. Eagerly waiting for Master of the Mask to unmask the gripping story!

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I'm praying to drama gods I'm going to love this drama because I'm getting too excited already. I love both YSH and KSH irrationally so much, I want to be able to have at least one drama to love and watch where they're together. Don't waste this, Show!

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This is going to end badly doesn't it? Sigh. I'm going to prepare myself mentally. Let this be a good show.

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I'll be watching this for kim so hyun :-P i like her a lot.
And by the way, even in historical drama does the extra girl who does NOT get the guy has to have that signature bangs-on-one-side-of-face style? lol what is with Yoon So-hee's hairstyle? :-D

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I'm glad I didn't see any of these trailers before watching the episodes real time, they give away most of the good bits and lessen the dramatic impact.

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