# The Crowned Clown

The Crowned Clown (Korean: 왕이 된 남자) is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Se-young, and Kim Sang-kyung. A remake of the 2012 film Masquerade, the series centers on the tale of a Joseon King and his doppelganger, a clown whom he puts on the throne to escape the intense power struggles afflicting the royal court. It aired from January 7 to March 4, 2019, on tvN.

## Synopsis

The story takes place in mid-Joseon period, when upheavals and power struggles surrounding the throne had reached extremely devastating levels. In order to escape those who plan to assassinate him, the King puts a clown, who looks exactly like him, on the throne. As the clown settles into his role, the palace is upended as the King's enemies are confounded by the imposter's creativity and his ever-expanding circle of allies, who are glad to see the “King” finally become the ruler they have always wanted.

## Cast
### Main

* Yeo Jin-goo as Ha-seon, the clown / Yi Heon, the King
* Lee Se-young as Yoo So-woon, the Queen
* Kim Sang-kyung as Yi Kyu (Haksan), the Chief Royal Secretary

### Supporting
#### People around Ha-seon

* Jang Gwang as Eunuch Jo
* Yoon Jong-suk as Jang Moo-young, a military officer
* Shin Soo-yeon as Dal-rae, Ha-seon's sister and fellow performer
* Yoon Kyung-ho as Kap-soo, Ha-seon and Dal-rae's elder performer

#### People around So-woon

* Oh Ha-nee as Ae-young, a maid
* Kim Soo-jin as Court Lady Park

#### People around Yi Heon

* Kwon Hae-hyo as Shin Chi-soo, the Left State Councillor
* Jang Young-nam as the Queen Dowager
* Lee Moo-saeng as Prince Jinpyung
* Min Ji-ah as Court Lady Kim
* Choi Kyu-jin as Shin Yi-kyeom, Shin Chi-soo's son and a member of the Office of Censors
* Seo Yoon-ah as Seon Hwa-dang, Shin Chi-soo's niece and Yi Heon's favourite concubine
* Lee Mi-eun as Court Lady Jang
* Park Si-eun as Choi Kye-hwan, a 15-year-old kitchen maid

#### People around Yi Kyu

* Jung Hye-young as Woon-sim, a courtesan
* Lee Yoon-gun as Yoo Ho-joon, So-woon's father
* Lee Kyu-han as Joo Ho-geol
* Choi Moo-in as Lee Han-jong
* Lee Chang-jik as Seo Jang-won
* Song Duk-ho as Woo Jeong-rim
* Jang Sung-won as Jung Saeng, a Buddhist monk

### Special appearances

* Jang Hyuk as King Seonjo, Yi Heon's father (Episode 1)
* Yoon Park as Lord Kiseong (Episode 16)

## Production

The first script reading took place on October 8, 2018, in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.

## Ratings

| Season | Season | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Average |
| Season | Season | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Average |
| | 1 | 1.364 | 1.499 | 1.849 | 2.055 | 1.829 | 1.651 | 1.845 | 2.064 | 1.575 | 1.871 | 1.966 | 1.868 | 2.189 | 1.926 | 2.114 | 2.447 | 1.882 |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2019 | 55th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor | Yeo Jin-goo | Nominated |
| 2019 | 55th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kim Sang-kyung | Nominated |
| 2019 | 12th Korea Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress | Lee Se-young | Won |