For its first film of 2020, the Baltimore Korean Movie Series presents the hit historical drama Masquerade, as the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. continues its regional outreach through this free series of milestone films at Parkway Theatre in Baltimore, in partnership with the Maryland Film Festival.

Faced with the constant threat of assassination, the conspiratorial 15th ruler of Korea's ancient Joseon Dynasty, King Gwang-hae (Lee Byung-hun), orders his councilor to find a body double for his own safety. Heo Gyun (Ryu Seung-ryong) finds Ha-sun, a lowly entertainer who looks remarkably like the king. When Gwang-hae is indeed poisoned, Ha-sun must play the role of a lifetime until the king recovers. Ruling, however, is not so easy. Ha-sun is moved by the plight of his countrymen and begins using his unearned power for good, against selfish, corrupt ministers. As he finds his voice, even Heo Gyun is moved by Ha-sun's genuine concern. But as suspicions arise, another sinister plot is put into motion, as is the return of the true king.