The political thriller *The Assassin(s)* has sparked significant controversy in South Korea since its release on September 23, centering on its portrayal of the 1974 assassination attempt that resulted in the death of First Lady Yuk Young-soo. The film’s narrative, which raises questions about the possible involvement of then-President Park Chung-hee’s own aides in the incident, has prompted a fierce backlash, particularly from conservative groups and right-leaning online communities.
The story dramatizes the events surrounding a Liberation Day ceremony in Seoul, when gunman Mun Se-gwang, a 22-year-old South Korean living in Japan with ties to left-wing activists, opened fire on President Park, fatally wounding his wife instead. Mun was arrested at the scene and subsequently executed after investigators attributed the attack to directives from North Korea. However, *The Assassin(s)* explores a long-standing conspiracy theory suggesting that Park’s inner circle may have orchestrated the shooting to distract the public from a political crisis—an angle that some viewers, including members of Yuk’s surviving family, have deemed offensive and deeply painful.
The backlash intensified through social media, where critics have inundated the film with negative reviews and disparaged the director Hur Jin-ho, the cast, and production company. On October 2, Hive Media, the film’s production company, announced that the director and lead actors would not attend the Busan International Film Festival due to concerns over safety amid mounting online threats. Director Hur, along with lead actors Lee Min-ho and Yoo Hae-jin, had been scheduled to participate in festival events, but Lee withdrew earlier from a public discussion without explanation, an action widely linked to the controversy. Yoo, who portrays a detective in the film, has also faced calls for boycotting a burger chain he endorses and threats of demonstrations near his residence.
The conservative opposition party, People Power Party, has been particularly vocal. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk publicly supported a boycott, and a member filed a police complaint on September 29 accusing the film’s director, writer, and producers of defamation. Allegations, including unverified claims of Chinese financial backing, have also circulated widely online.
Prominent individuals expressing support for the film have not been spared criticism. Acclaimed actresses Lee Young-ae and Kim Go-eun faced intense online rebuke following favourable comments made after a VIP screening on September 21. Similarly, film critics and YouTubers who reviewed the movie positively experienced harassment, leading several to take down their reviews or make public apologies.
The dispute reflects ongoing tensions in South Korea over interpretations of its authoritarian past. Park Chung-hee, who ruled following a 1961 military coup until his assassination in 1979, is admired by some for South Korea’s rapid industrial growth but also criticised for his authoritarian governance. His daughter, Park Geun-hye, also a former president, was impeached in 2017 amid a corruption scandal, further complicating the legacy of the Park family.
In response to the controversy, director Hur Jin-ho stated in an October 1 interview that the film does not allege Park’s direct involvement but rather poses questions about historical events. Hive Media noted that *The Assassin(s)* takes creative liberties and does not intend to make a political statement.
Despite the uproar, the film saw strong box office performance, drawing over 55,000 admissions on October 1 and reclaiming the top spot in ticket sales, bringing total admissions to 1.82 million according to the Korean Film Council. Looking ahead, *The Assassin(s)* is scheduled to open the 37th Singapore International Film Festival from October 21 to November 1, with Hur and supporting cast members Park Sung-hoon and Shim Eun-kyung expected to attend.