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Film passes 3.4 million admissions
South Korean director Hur Jin-ho’s film “The Assassin(s)” has surpassed its break-even point after drawing 3,401,825 moviegoers, distributor Hive Media Corp. said. The milestone came during the film’s sixth week in theaters.
In South Korea, theatrical performance is commonly measured by admissions rather than box-office revenue. Industry estimates had placed the film’s break-even threshold at roughly 3.3 million admissions, but the production company confirmed that the official target was 3.4 million. The Korean Film Council’s box-office tracking system reported the same cumulative audience total as of 7 a.m. on the 29th, covering 36 days since the film opened on the 23rd of the previous month.
The film crossed 3 million admissions on its 20th day and led the weekly box office for Korean-made films for five consecutive weeks. It now ranks fourth among Korean films released this year. The production company thanked audiences for their support in a social media post.
A political mystery rooted in 1970s Korea
The film revisits the 1974 shooting that killed Yuk Young-soo, the wife of then-President Park Chung-hee, during an Aug. 15 ceremony marking Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Its story follows characters investigating who may have been behind the attack.
Yoo Hae-jin plays a detective named Cheol-gu. Park Hae-il portrays Jae-hwan, a newspaper city editor pursuing the truth, while Lee Min-ho appears as Young-il, a rookie reporter.
Historical dispute prompts threats and cancellations
After its release, the film faced accusations that it distorted history by implying that Park was behind the attack on his wife. The dispute spread into politics, with opposition lawmakers, including People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, criticizing the movie.
Personal threats against cast members led to the cancellation of promotional appearances and an event connected to the Busan International Film Festival. A protest was also held outside Yoo’s home, and some theaters ended their runs of the film early. Korean film industry groups warned that the backlash could threaten artistic freedom.
Despite the controversy, the film’s daily attendance remained at roughly the same level as before the dispute.
International festival recognition
“The Assassin(s)” was runner-up for an international audience award at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. It was also selected to open the 37th Singapore International Film Festival, becoming the first Korean film in 22 years to receive that slot. Tickets for both its opening-night presentation and a second screening sold out.
A Singapore festival programmer called the movie “one of the remarkable achievements of contemporary Korean cinema.” The film also received invitations from festivals in Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Hawaii, giving it a showcase in the United States. Its screening at the Paris Korean Film Festival sold out within three minutes of tickets going on sale.
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