Sunday, October 4, 2026

'Assassin(s)' Historical Distortion Controversy Escalates; Protests Held Outside Yoo Hae-jin's Home and Film Production Company

Input
2026-10-04 16:05:27
Updated
2026-10-04 16:05:27
Members of conservative-leaning civic groups held a protest near the home of actor Yoo Hae-jin in Seongbuk District, Seoul, on the 4th, condemning the film 'Assassin(s).' Newsis
[Financial News] The conservative camp's backlash over the film 'Assassin(s),' which has sparked controversy over historical distortion, is spreading to protests outside lead actor Yoo Hae-jin's home and the production company, as well as a complaint against the person responsible for producing the film's merchandise.
Shin Jayu Solidarity, a conservative-leaning civic group, and Bellado, a group supporting former President Yoon Suk Yeol, held a protest on the afternoon of the 4th in front of a detached house reportedly belonging to Yoo in Seongbuk District, Seoul, during the National Foundation Day holiday weekend. They condemned the film's production team and cast.
Police unofficially estimated that about 50 people attended the protest. They deployed two riot police units, along with dialogue and traffic officers, to the scene. Participants chanted slogans demanding apologies from the production team and cast and an end to the film's screening. Bellado also argued that Yoo should appear in so-called 'right-wing films.'
Shin Jayu Solidarity submitted a protest notification to police on the 2nd, stating that it would continue demonstrations outside Yoo's home through the end of the month. It also announced protests targeting the hamburger franchise and securities firm for which Yoo works as an advertising model, demanding that their advertising contracts with him be canceled.
Lee Jong-bae, a former Seoul city council member, held a press conference on the morning of the 4th in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno District and filed a complaint against the person responsible for producing and distributing 'Assassin(s)' merchandise on suspicion of violating the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising. Lee claimed that the 'Original Ticket' provided to moviegoers was made by layering a transparent panel depicting the venue of the August 15, 1974, Liberation Day ceremony with bullet marks. He argued that false and exaggerated advertising was used to promote the film's message.
This afternoon, the conservative group Hoguk Yeonhap Bangpaedan is also scheduled to hold a protest outside the building housing the film's production company, Hive Media, demanding an apology involving the production team and the bereaved families.
'Assassin(s)' is a film based on the incident in which Yuk Young-soo, the wife of former President Park Chung Hee, was shot and killed on August 15, 1974. The film sparked controversy over historical distortion after including content that suggested possibilities differing from the conclusion reached by investigating authorities at the time. In a statement issued on the 28th of last month, the filmmakers said, "The film was not made to establish a new specific historical conclusion or to deny or distort existing facts."


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