The controversy surrounding the film 'Assassins' has escalated to the point of canceling screenings and events. In its second week of release, a public screening and an event featuring actors were both canceled on the same day, and a public institution changed its planned screening film.
On October 1, the Busan Film Commission announced the cancellation of a free public screening scheduled for October 5 at the CGV Centum City in Busan. The event was set to invite 80 citizens. 'Assassins' was supported by the commission for its filming locations, and the commission aimed to invite the public in line with the film's release. They explained that the decision was made after a comprehensive review of recent developments and various public opinions, clarifying that it did not reflect a judgment or endorsement of the film's content or specific positions. The commission did not disclose how many opinions were received.
On the same day, the 31st Busan International Film Festival's organizing committee canceled the 'Actors House: Lee Min-ho' event scheduled for October 7, citing unavoidable circumstances. Tickets purchased will be refunded without additional application or fees. Lee Min-ho stars in 'Assassins.'
Additionally, the number of stage greetings has been reduced. During the second week of release from October 3 to 4 in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, only director Heo Jin-ho and actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho will participate. Supporting actors Ryu Hye-young, Jang Ryul, and Choi Yoo-ri will not attend. The distributor stated that the operational approach has been changed.
Public institution screenings have also been altered. The Veterans Affairs Center, under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, planned to host a group screening of 'Assassins' for 120 veterans and their families from October 6 to 8, coinciding with Veterans Week. However, on September 29, the center changed the film to an undecided title before confirming 'Intern.' The Ministry of Veterans Affairs stated that the change was made in light of the controversy surrounding the film.
There have also been direct calls for theaters to halt screenings. In Gumi, the hometown of former President Park Chung-hee, social organizations, including the Park Chung-hee Birthplace Preservation Association, issued a joint statement urging a halt to screenings. They requested cooperation from four local theaters to stop showing the film and warned of indefinite protests outside the theaters starting October 2 if screenings continue. They have filed a month-long notice with the police for the protests. The Park Chung-hee Memorial Foundation and the Yook Young Foundation are considering a request for an injunction to stop screenings, demanding an official apology from the production company.
A similar situation occurred in 2005 with the film 'The People of That Time,' which dealt with the October 26 incident. Park Ji-man, the son of former President Park, filed for an injunction to stop its screening. The court ruled that banning the film four days before its release was excessive, allowing it to be screened if three scenes were removed. The production company replaced those scenes with a black screen for the release. In a subsequent damages lawsuit the following year, the court acknowledged some liability for damages but dismissed the request for a screening ban.
The production company, Hive Media Corp, stated that the film does not present hypotheses as historical facts and was independently planned and produced with domestic capital. Director Heo Jin-ho clarified that he has never believed that former President Park was behind the events depicted. The Korean Film Producers Association expressed concern over the backlash directed at the director, actors, and production staff simply for their involvement in the project.
The film follows the investigation into the assassination attempt on First Lady Yuk Young-soo during the Liberation Day ceremony on August 15, 1974. Since its release on September 23, it has attracted a cumulative audience of 1,695,104 as of 7 a.m. on September 30, reclaiming the top spot at the box office just one day after losing it to 'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.