Despite controversy over historical inaccuracies and political backlash, the film 'Assassins' has maintained its position at the top of the South Korean box office for 19 consecutive days, surpassing 3.19 million viewers.
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network, as of 7:13 a.m. on October 18, 'Assassins' recorded a cumulative audience of 3,192,758. The film not only held the number one spot in the South Korean box office for 19 days but also maintained the highest ticket reservation rate among Korean films in its fourth weekend since release, indicating a strong box office performance.
'Assassins' follows the investigation into the assassination of Yuk Young-soo, which occurred on August 15, 1974. The film faced intense criticism from political circles and conservative groups regarding its portrayal of the events surrounding the assassination, leading to significant controversy. The 31st Busan International Film Festival's official schedule was entirely canceled due to safety concerns, and the lead actors faced a barrage of malicious comments online, placing the film at the center of social debate.
However, the film's genre, mystery narrative, director Heo Jin-ho's craftsmanship, and the performances of the cast have reportedly attracted audiences through word of mouth. It has maintained a relatively stable audience rating, with a CGV Golden Egg Index of 92% and a viewer rating of 9.2 on Lotte Cinema, reflecting positive reception across major theater platforms.
As 'Assassins' enters its fifth week, the film industry is keenly observing how long it can sustain its box office success amid the competition from new releases.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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