The Face Reader Trailer (2013)

Trailer for The Face Reader.

Set during the seizure of the throne by Sejo of Joseon in the year 1455, the movie follows the life of Nae-Kyung. Nae-Kyung (Song Kang-Ho) hails from a ruined noble family. He travels around Joseon and studies physiognomy. He is able to asses a person's personality, mental state, habits and, consequently, their future, by just studying their face. He lives in seclusion with his son Jin-Hyeong (Lee Jong-Suk) and brother-in-law Paeng-Hun (Cho Jung-Seok). Nae-Kyung hopes to one day become a public officer, even though it is virtually impossible due to his family's failed background.

One afternoon, an attractive Gisaeng named Yeon-Hong (Kim Hye-Soo) visits Nae-Kyung's home. She runs a food and alcohol establishment in Hanyang (old name for Seoul). Yeon-Hong asks Nae-Kyung to go with her tthere, because he can make a lot of money. Nae-Kyung and Paeung-Hun decide to follow her advice and go together to Hanyang. There, through Yeon-Hong's deceit, Nae-Kyung begins to work as physiognomist at her establishment. His amazing talents quickly spread throughout the area and business booms for Yeon-Hong. Nae-Kyung then happens to solve a murder case by observing the victim's husband. Kim Jong-Seo (Baek Yoon-Sik), the second most powerful man in the country, hears of Nae-Kyung's abilities and orders him to the palace. He is assigned to hire public officers by using his face reading abilities.

After King Munjong dies, a young crown prince takes the throne, but the young king's fate is imminent danger. Prince Sooyang (Lee Jung-Jae) has ambitions to become the King and has a plan to make it happen. Meanwhile, Nae-Kyung is positive that Prince Sooyang is going to plot treason against the new king.