The film 'Assassins' has sparked controversy that extends beyond film critic Lee Dong-jin to other reviewers. Among them, e-sports caster Dangun issued a clarification after misunderstandings arose regarding his review of the film.
'Assassins' is inspired by the assassination attempt on Yuk Young-soo on August 15, 1974, and explores the suspicions and motives behind the incident. Directed by Heo Jin-ho, the film is based on real events but incorporates fictional elements, with the director stating that it is designed to allow audiences to draw their own conclusions rather than presenting a definitive answer.
Dangun shared his thoughts on the film through his YouTube channel. Initially, he remarked, "Honestly, it's entertaining. There are definitely some shortcomings, but it's intriguing. While it relates to conspiracy theories, surprisingly, many of the key events depicted in the film actually occurred in real life."
He added, "It's hard not to have doubts. History can be quite flimsy, and many of the main points in the film are based on real events, making them quite similar to actual history." Dangun encouraged viewers to research the events, stating, "If you look it up, you'll find everything. I only knew about the incident, but I was unaware of many strange aspects, which is why I found it interesting."
However, many netizens reacted by suggesting that Dangun's comments implied acceptance of the film's conspiracy theories as close to reality.
As the controversy grew, Dangun provided further clarification on his statement regarding "actual events." He emphasized, "I do not believe the horrific conspiracy theories about Park Chung-hee and Yuk Young-soo mentioned in the comments, nor did I think that while watching the film. To me, that conspiracy theory is on par with flat Earth theory."
He continued, "However, depending on one's perspective, the film could evoke such conspiracy theories, which could be seen as dangerous. When I mentioned that it turned out to be true, I was referring to the poorly handled aspects of the incident, not the conspiracy theories I mentioned earlier."
In response to inquiries about his political leanings, Dangun stated, "I am neither left nor right; I am an Energiist," and mentioned enjoying the film 'Asura,' which briefly shifted the atmosphere to a more favorable tone.
When asked if he was worried about facing backlash, he replied, "I’m not worried, and I don’t think this will lead to my downfall. I haven’t committed any crimes like drunk driving or murder." However, after a reaction of surprise in the chat, he quickly clarified, "That was not my intention."
Meanwhile, discussions among netizens continued regarding the political framing of the film. One user argued, "It's a different matter to say we shouldn't judge someone's political stance based on their movie preferences and to question the political framing of the film itself. With the families of the victims still alive, turning North Korean conspiracy theories into a film as if they were facts is not just a political issue."
Another user posed a provocative question: "Would you accept a film suggesting that Moon Jae-in pushed Roh Moo-hyun, claiming 'it's just a movie'?"
While some users agreed with Dangun's perspective, they expressed criticism of the film itself. One noted, "Dangun is right. I also enjoyed 'The Attorney' and found 'Ode to My Father' entertaining, but I thought this film was too overtly demonizing, which is dangerous. People often fail to take a balanced view and look at both sides with a cold eye."
Another user raised a hypothetical political scenario, asking, "What if Roh Moo-hyun wrote a will in Korean and climbed Owl Rock alone, and a film was made about it? Would the Democratic Party just let it go?" They listed various potential reactions, including protests and legal actions, questioning how many such responses might occur.
Additionally, a strong reaction was noted: "The first step of incitement is video. Seeing how they incite with 'take it or leave it' tactics is reminiscent of Nazi Germany."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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