Bridal Mask
| Bridal Mask | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster for Bridal Mask | |
| Genre | Romance Action Period drama |
| Based on | Gaksital by Huh Young-man |
| Written by | Yoo Hyun-mi |
| Directed by | Yoon Sung-shik |
| Starring | Joo Won Jin Se-yeon Park Ki-woong Han Chae-ah |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 28 |
| Production | |
| Production location | Korea |
| Running time | Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 (KST) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Korean Broadcasting System |
| Release | 30 May – 6 September 2012 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | |
|---|---|
| Revised Romanization | Gaksital |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kaksit'al |
Bridal Mask (Korean: 각시탈; RR: Gaksital) is a 2012 KBS2 period drama based on the popular Korean manhwa by Huh Young-man. The setting takes place in Seoul, Korea during the 1930s Japanese colonial era.
The plot of the TV drama is slightly modified from the original graphic novel. The story follows a man named Lee Kang-to, a Korean police officer commissioned by the Japanese Police to betray his own country and aid the Japanese in the annihilation of the Korean rebellion. During his mission, he encounters a notorious masked man who dons a traditional Korean bridal mask to fight for Korea's independence by assassinating Japanese key officers. As the detective's hunt for "Gaksital" ("Bridal Mask") unravels, his eyes are slowly opened to the treacherous deeds he has committed towards his own countrymen. It stars Joo Won and Jin Se-yeon as the leads and with Shin Hyun-joon as the notorious masked hero of the Korean rebellion and brother to the main character.
Plot
Two brothers - Lee Kang-to and Lee Kang-san – live in Seoul in the 1930s, oppressed under the Japanese rule. Kang-to, the younger brother, is a rising star in the police force and works with the Japanese police to capture “Bridal Mask,” a mysterious freedom fighter who fights for independence wearing a Korean Bridal Mask. Later when Lee Kang-to’s life is turned upside down, he dons the Bridal Mask and fights injustice and rights wrongs against the Japanese during one of the darkest periods of Korea’s history.
Kimura Shunji is a gentle Japanese teacher who has come to teach in Korea against his father's will. He is best friends with Kang-to and shares a loving relationship with his Korean nanny. He also falls in love with the fiercely patriotic Mok-dan, a woman who is in love with Kang-to, a twist that begins to change him into a darker person.
Cast
- Joo Won as Lee Kang-to/Sato Hiroshi/Lee Young (childhood name)
- A pro-Japanese Korean police officer hated by his own fellow countrymen, who label him as a traitor to his homeland. Kangto is infamous for being heartless and inconsiderate of others' feelings. He later reaches a turning point, after which he becomes the masked vigilante known as "Gaksital" (meaning "Bridal Mask") who fights for Korea's independence.[1]
- Jin Se-yeon as Oh Mok-dan/Esther/Boon-yi (childhood name)
- A young woman who is part of a circus troupe and is the daughter of Damsari, an important general of the Independence army. Her real name is Boon-yi, though she has also been referred to as "Esther." As a young girl, she falls in love with a boy who made a moving promise to her in a moment of life and death. Years later, she comes to suspect that her first love is the man behind the mask, though she despises Lee Kang-to, whom she regards as her arch-enemy.
- Park Ki-woong as Kimura Shunji
- Kang-to's best friend. He is a Japanese born into a prominent Samurai family but chooses to defy his father and becomes a music teacher for Korean children. His first love is Mok-Dan, whom he knew as Esther. Due to certain circumstances, Shunji later swears to kill Bridal Mask with his own hands. His father, Kimura Taro inducts him into the Kishokai, replacing his older brother, Kimura Kenji
- Han Chae-ah as Ueno Rie/Lara/Chae Hong-joo[2]
- A Korean woman whose aristocratic family was murdered after they refused to send monetary support to the Independence army. Orphaned, she voluntarily becomes a "gisaeng" at the age of 9 but was then adopted by a prominent Japanese man who saw her deep hatred for Korea. She receives military training and becomes a spy in charge of a mission to kill Gaksital. She inadvertently falls in love with Lee Kang-to, whom she admires.
- Shin Hyun-joon as Lee Kang-san/Lee In (childhood name)[3]
- Kang-to's older brother, who is known as the "village idiot" after the Japanese police tortured him for joining the Independence Movement, rendering him mentally-disabled, or so they thought. Kang-san later becomes an important catalyst for Kangto's transformation into Gaksital.
- Chun Ho-jin - Kimura Taro (Chief of the Jongro police station- Chairman of Gyeongseong branch of Kishokai)
- Jeon No-min - Mok Damsari (Mok-dan's father and fugitive of the Japanese)
- Son Byung-ho - Circus Master Jo Dong-ju (Takes care of Mok-dan as his own)
- Song Ok-sook - Mrs. Han (Kang-to's mother)
- Lee Il-jae - Lee Seon (Kang-to's father)
- Ahn Hyung-joon - Katsuyama Jun (Chae Hong-joo's bodyguard)
- Lee Byung-joon - Shin Nan-da (Circus member)
- Ahn Suk-hwan - Lee Shi-yong (Royal Count, Kishokai member)
- Kim Jung-nan - Lee Hwa-gyung (Royal Countess, Kishokai member)
- Lee Kyung-shil - Oh Dong-nyeon (Widowed circus member who had close relationship with Mok-dan as her own daughter)
- Kim Tae-young - Park In-sam (Kyeongseong Ilbo newspaper owner, Kishokai member)
- Son Yeo-eun - Um Sun-hwa (Mok-dan's best friend, Circus member)
- Seo Yun-a - Ham Gye-soon (Circus member who became Shunji's spy in order to earn money to take care of her family)
- Park Joo-hyung - Kimura Kenji (Former Superintendent of Jongro police station, Kishokai member)
- Jeon Kuk-hwan - Ueno Hideki (Chairman of Kishokai, a secret organization involved in the assassinations of the last Emperor and Empress of Joseon, adopted father of Chae Hong-joo)
- Bruce Khan - Ginpei Gato (Chairman Ueno's samurai bodyguard)
- Kim Eung-soo - Konno Goji (Director of the Kyeongseong police force)
- Yoon Jin-ho - Goiso Tadanobu (Sergeant of Jongro police station)
- Yoon Bong-kil - Abe Shinji (Private of Jongro police station)
- Ban Min-jung - Jeok Pa/Anna (Comrade of Damsari)
- Ji Seo-yun - Tasha (Owner of Angel Club)
- Baek Jae-jin - Director Bong (Manager of Angel Club)
- Choi Dae-hoon - Lee Hae-suk/Minami Tamao (Count's son, Kishokai member)
- Bang Joong-hyun - Park Sung-mo (Newspaper owner's son, Kishokai member after replacing his father, In-sam)
- Jang Joon-yoo - Merry
- Lee Jae-won - No Sang-yeob
- Kim Kyu-chul - Woo Byung-joon (Hospital director, Kishokai member)
- Ko In-beom - Jo Young-geun (President of Jo Il Bank, Kishokai member)
- Kwon Tae-won - Choi Myung-sub (Judge, Kishokai member)
- Kim Bang-won - Kim Deuk-soo (Member of Dong Jin's Death Squad)
- Jeon Hyun - Baek Gun (Subordinate of Kang-to's father)
- Kim Myung-gon - Yang-baek
- Park Sung-woong - Dong-jin
Production
This drama was originally expected to air on May 9, 2012[4][5] but a bus accident resulting in the death of a stunt double and serious injuries of other crew members caused delays in production.[6]
Reception
According to AGB Nielsen Media Research, the episode aired on August 16 received a nationwide viewership rating of 19.4 percent, ahead of the premiere episodes of rivals Arang and the Magistrate on MBC with 13.3 percent and To the Beautiful You on SBS with 7.4 percent.[7]
Ratings
| Episode # | Original broadcast date | Average audience share | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNmS Ratings | AGB Nielsen | ||||
| Nationwide | Seoul National Capital Area | Nationwide | Seoul National Capital Area | ||
| 1 | 30 May 2012 | 12.6% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 13.3% |
| 2 | 31 May 2012 | 12.4% | 13.3% | 12.4% | 12.9% |
| 3 | 6 June 2012 | 13.3% | 14.5% | 13.6% | 13.9% |
| 4 | 7 June 2012 | 14.8% | 14.9% | 15.6% | 16.7% |
| 5 | 13 June 2012 | 13.8% | 14.1% | 14.5% | 15.4% |
| 6 | 14 June 2012 | 15.5% | 16.3% | 15.0% | 15.7% |
| 7 | 20 June 2012 | 15.3% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 16.5% |
| 8 | 21 June 2012 | 15.4% | 15.0% | 15.5% | 16.3% |
| 9 | 27 June 2012 | 14.7% | 13.9% | 14.8% | 15.2% |
| 10 | 28 June 2012 | 15.9% | 15.3% | 14.6% | 15.0% |
| 11 | 4 July 2012 | 17.6% | 17.2% | 14.8% | 15.8% |
| 12 | 5 July 2012 | 16.5% | 15.6% | 14.0% | 14.0% |
| 13 | 11 July 2012 | 16.7% | 15.6% | 14.4% | 14.4% |
| 14 | 12 July 2012 | 17.3% | 16.3% | 16.3% | 17.5% |
| 15 | 18 July 2012 | 17.2% | 16.8% | 15.2% | 16.7% |
| 16 | 19 July 2012 | 18.1% | 17.3% | 16.8% | 18.2% |
| 17 | 25 July 2012 | 16.7% | 16.8% | 15.6% | 16.3% |
| 18 | 1 August 2012 | 16.9% | 16.3% | 18.0% | 18.2% |
| 19 | 8 August 2012 | 19.3% | 18.8% | 18.3% | 18.2% |
| 20 | 9 August 2012 | 20.6% | 20.6% | 19.5% | 19.8% |
| 21 | 15 August 2012 | 22.6% | 23.1% | 19.4% | 18.8% |
| 22 | 16 August 2012 | 21.9% | 22.4% | 19.7% | 19.5% |
| 23 | 22 August 2012 | 22.2% | 22.4% | 19.8% | 19.5% |
| 24 | 23 August 2012 | 22.3% | 22.9% | 20.3% | 20.2% |
| 25 | 29 August 2012 | 19.4% | 19.4% | 20.4% | 20.6% |
| 26 | 30 August 2012 | 22.8% | 22.9% | 21.4% | 21.7% |
| 27 | 5 September 2012 | 24.3% | 26.1% | 21.5% | 21.9% |
| 28 | 6 September 2012 | 27.3% | 27.7% | 22.9% | 23.2% |
| Average | 18.0% | 18.0% | 16.9% | 17.3% | |
Sources: TNmS Media Korea, AGB Nielsen Korea
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ||||
| Best Drama | Bridal Mask | Nominated | ||
| Best Drama PD | Yoon Sung-shik | Nominated | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor | Joo Won | Nominated | ||
| Excellence Award, Actor | Kim Eung-soo | Won | ||
| Lee Byung-joon | Nominated | |||
| Jeon No-min | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Park Ki-woong | Nominated | ||
| Best New Actress | Han Chae-ah | Nominated | ||
| Jin Se-yeon | Nominated | |||
| Ban Min-jung | Won | |||
| Excellence Award, Actor | Joo Won | Nominated | ||
| Acting Award, Actress | Jin Se-yeon | Nominated | ||
| Best Action Stunts | Bridal Mask | Won | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor | Joo Won | Nominated | ||
| Chun Ho-jin | Nominated | |||
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Joo Won | Won | ||
| Chun Ho-jin | Nominated | |||
| Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Jin Se-yeon | Nominated | ||
| Han Chae-ah | Nominated | |||
| Best New Actress | Jin Se-yeon | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Park Ki-woong | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Jung-nan | Nominated | ||
| Best Young Actor | Kim Woo-suk | Nominated | ||
| Best Young Actress | Kim Hyun-soo | Nominated | ||
| Best Couple Award | Joo Won and Park Ki-woong | Nominated | ||
| Joo Won and Jin Se-yeon | Nominated | |||
| Popularity Award | Joo Won | Won | ||
| 2013 | 13th Republic of Korea National Assembly Awards[10] | Drama of the Year | Bridal Mask | Won |
References
- ^ "형 신현준 죽자 친일파 주원 2대 '각시탈' 됐다 - 손에 잡히는 뉴스 눈에 보이는 뉴스 - 뉴스엔". Newsen. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ Sunwoo, Carla (13 February 2012). "Han Chae-ah cast as female lead in Bride Mask". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "Shin Hyeon-joon to make special appearance in Bridal Mask". Hancinema. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "신현준, KBS 기대작 '각시탈' 출연..3년만에 안방 복귀". Sports Chosun. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "신현준, KBS2 '각시탈' 특별 출연 - 1등 인터넷뉴스 조선닷컴". News Chosun. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "KBS <각시탈>, 보조출연자 30명이 탑승한 버스 교통사고로 촬영 중단". Asia Economic Daily. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ Jeon, Su-mi (16 August 2012). "Arang and the Magistrate Gets Double the Ratings for To the Beautiful You". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2012-11-10.
- ^ http://awards.emn.kr/news/index.php?tcode=aw02_05&qsort=wr_good&qord=desc
- ^ http://www.tvreport.co.kr/?c=news&m=newsview&idx=289033
- ^ http://www.globalnewsagency.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1523