Viewers who watch historical dramas about royalty know that when a king has children with a queen, a consort and then some concubines, there may be trouble down the line. The king can name a crown prince as his successor, but if that son is only a concubine's child, some may say that he has no right.
That's what happened to Prince Gwanghae and the fact that he did become a king, even though he was a concubine's son, may be the reason that so many actors like to play him.
So far, his story has been portrayed by actors Ji Sung, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Sang Yoon, and most recently by Seo In Guk.
The second son of King Seongjo and Lady Kim, a concubine, he became the 15th king of the Joseon dynasty, but the road to the throne was a rocky one and he was eventually deposed.
Gwanghae grew up in a time of poisonous royal plots that turned parents against children and brothers against each other. No one would argue that Gwanghae was not a troubled king but he was born in troubled times and his bad deeds often overshadow his good ones. Some historians argue that he did a good job of caring for his country, instituting positive reforms and protecting the country from invasion.
Whatever history thinks of him, he makes a great character for actors to play.
Ji Sung played Gwanghae in the drama "The King's Woman." The film focused on Lady Kim, the prince's mother and all the acts of immorality and bloodshed various royals took to protect the throne.
Lee Byung Hun played Gwanghae in the 2012 film "Masquerade." In that film Gwanghae is already king and he is so worried about assassination, he finds a double to stand in for him.
Lee Sang Yoon played the prince as a young man in the drama "Goddess of Fire: Jeonji." In that drama he was in love with the talented potter played by Moon Geun Young. Despite his love for her, he has to let her go.
Seo In Guk is the latest actor to attempt the role, playing the prince in "The King's Face." In the very first episode of the drama, it's easy to see how apprehensive the prince is. He lives with a very paranoid and unpredictable father. Although he thinks his father loves him, any day could be his last. Seo In Guk does a good job of portraying the anxious prince who later becomes the troubled king.
