Yuk Young Foundation and Others: "Assassin(s) Inflicted Hurt and Humiliation"... Korean Association of Film Planning Producers: "We Respect Diverse Voices, but Have Concerns"

[Financial News] As controversy over the alleged historical distortion in the film 'Assassin(s)' continues to spread, organizations related to former President Park Chung Hee called on the production team to apologize and immediately halt screenings.
The Korean Association of Film Planning Producers also issued a statement, saying that criticism of the film should be respected but expressing concern about the spread of unverified information and excessive attacks on creators, including the director and actors.

The Park Chung Hee Presidential Memorial Foundation, Yuk Young Foundation and Park Chung Hee Academy issued a joint statement on the 1st, saying, "We express our deep regret and strongly condemn the production team and others involved in 'Assassin(s),' who have inflicted irreparable pain on former President Park Chung Hee, who devoted his entire life to the nation and its people, and his bereaved family."
The organizations claimed that the film borrowed the outward form of a historical event and depicted content that differed from the facts as though it were based on actual history. They criticized the act of instilling an incorrect understanding of history in the public, saying it "can never be justified in the name of creative freedom."
They also criticized the use of a national tragedy as material for box-office success and entertainment. The foundation said, "In particular, we are deeply concerned about the act of using a national tragedy as material for box-office success and entertainment, not only inflicting hurt and humiliation on historical figures, their bereaved families and, furthermore, the people who vividly remember the incident, but also undermining the brilliant achievements that Korea's film industry has built over many years."
They then called on the production company to "formally apologize to the public, the bereaved families and related parties for the parts that distorted historical facts," and demanded a responsible explanation, necessary measures and an immediate halt to screenings.

Meanwhile, the Korean Association of Film Planning Producers said in a separate statement issued that day that criticism of a work and attacks directed at individual creators should be viewed separately.
Regarding the controversy surrounding 'Assassin(s),' it said works dealing with historical events and real-life figures may invite various evaluations and criticism, and that different voices should also be respected. However, it expressed concern over excessive criticism directed at directors, actors and staff because unverified information was being spread or simply because they had participated in the work.
Following the controversy over the alleged historical distortion in 'Assassin(s),' a "boycott list" compiling the names of cast members and actors and directors who recommended the work appeared. Numerous cases were confirmed in which people visited the cast members' other activities or personal social media accounts and left protest comments. The campaign even spread to fellow actors who watched the film and left recommendation messages.
The association emphasized that a film is completed through years of collaboration among many creators, with records and imagination added to the process, and said it hoped criticism and evaluation would focus on the work itself.

[email protected] Shin Jin-a Reporter