Lee Byung-hun says “I lost my six pack to perfectly portray the king”

Actor Lee Byung-hun donned in a red robe, plays the double role of King Gwanghae and clown Ha-sun in the movie "Masquerade," scheduled to hit local theaters on September 20, 2012. [CJ E&M]

Actor Lee Byung-hun, who is famous for his skillful acting as well as well-muscled body, said that he chopped off his wavy locks to make himself more look like the king of the Joseon Dynasty.

Lee’s remark made at a press conference for “Masquerade” held in Seoul on September 3, was enough to show that the actor does not mind sacrificing for the double role as a king and a clown in his first historical movie in his 22-year acting career.

“Before the shooting got started, the director told me that he didn't want the king in the Joseon Dynasty period to have a six-pack. So I lost my six-pack abs to perfectly portray the king. It was easy because what I had to do was just not to exercise and go on a diet,” Lee said with a smile.

However, the actor said there were some difficulties during the shooting and that is when he had to find the perfect voice that suits the king.

While he later enjoyed using the unique voice tone used in historical films even in his everyday life, Lee explained the hardest thing in his first historical movie was not playing a double role but portraying the maturing process of Ha-sun.

"The attractive character, who is a clown that temporally substitutes the king, becomes more mature just like a real king during the movie. Because the shooting was not taken in a chronological order of the story, it was difficult for me to act out Ha-sun's changing process.”

Helmed by director Choo chang-min, “Masquerade" revolves around a low-class clown Ha-sun [played by Lee] becoming a misfortunate historic figure, King Gwanghae of the Joseon Dynasty, who perfectly resembles Ha-sun himself.

While Lee plays the double role of Gwanghae and Ha-sun, actor Ryu Seung-ryeong and actress Han Hyo-joo each play a loyal courtier and the queen of the Joseon Dynasty.

Lee Byung-hun’s first period-set movie “Masquerade” is slated to open in local theaters on September 20.

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