The controversy around the Korean box-office hit 'Assassin(s)' deepened on Monday after the Park Chung Hee Foundation expressed "deep regret" over what it called a distortion of a historical tragedy, demanding an apology from the filmmakers and a suspension of screenings.
The thriller, directed by Hur Jin-ho and starring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho, dramatises the August 15, 1974 shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo during President Park Chung-hee's Liberation Day address in Seoul. According to the Korean Film Council, the film had accumulated 2,412,816 admissions as of 7 a.m. on October 6, including 522,405 viewers over the October 3–5 holiday weekend. Korean outlets differ on whether it briefly ceded the daily top spot to 'Tazza: Song of Beelzebub', so its exact day-to-day ranking remains disputed.
The history-distortion row
Critics — including lawmakers of the opposition People Power Party — accuse the film of distorting history by suggesting that the 1974 assassin may have had accomplices, with scenes hinting at involvement by the presidential office or intelligence services. These claims are allegations only and remain unproven.
The foundation on Monday demanded an apology and a halt to screenings. Separately, a police complaint alleging defamation was filed on September 29 against Hur and the production team by former Seoul council member Lee Jong Bae.
Production team's response
The production team has responded that the film is a fictional work reconstructed with cinematic imagination, "not made for a specific political purpose," and asked audiences to view it as a creative work rather than a historical record.
The standoff leaves one of the year's biggest Korean releases caught between box-office momentum and mounting political pressure.
Sources:
Despite Fierce Controversy, 'Assassin(s)' Tops Both the Box Office and Seat Occupancy Rankings — The Sports Chosun
The Assassin(s) loses Korea box office lead amid history controversy — Korea JoongAng Daily
The thriller, directed by Hur Jin-ho and starring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho, dramatises the August 15, 1974 shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo during President Park Chung-hee's Liberation Day address in Seoul. According to the Korean Film Council, the film had accumulated 2,412,816 admissions as of 7 a.m. on October 6, including 522,405 viewers over the October 3–5 holiday weekend. Korean outlets differ on whether it briefly ceded the daily top spot to 'Tazza: Song of Beelzebub', so its exact day-to-day ranking remains disputed.
The history-distortion row
Critics — including lawmakers of the opposition People Power Party — accuse the film of distorting history by suggesting that the 1974 assassin may have had accomplices, with scenes hinting at involvement by the presidential office or intelligence services. These claims are allegations only and remain unproven.
The foundation on Monday demanded an apology and a halt to screenings. Separately, a police complaint alleging defamation was filed on September 29 against Hur and the production team by former Seoul council member Lee Jong Bae.
Production team's response
The production team has responded that the film is a fictional work reconstructed with cinematic imagination, "not made for a specific political purpose," and asked audiences to view it as a creative work rather than a historical record.
The standoff leaves one of the year's biggest Korean releases caught between box-office momentum and mounting political pressure.
Sources:
Despite Fierce Controversy, 'Assassin(s)' Tops Both the Box Office and Seat Occupancy Rankings — The Sports Chosun
The Assassin(s) loses Korea box office lead amid history controversy — Korea JoongAng Daily
