‘Assassin(s)’ Row: Park Jin-young Denies Favoritism Allegations Over Phenomenon [2026 Parliamentary Audit]

[Financial News] The controversy over historical distortion in the film ‘Assassin(s)’ and allegations of favoritism over the K-culture festival ‘Phenomenon’ emerged as key issues at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s parliamentary audit on the 7th. Minister Choi Hwi-young stressed creative freedom and the protection of actors, while Park Jin-young, co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, denied the allegations of favoritism as he explained the circumstances surrounding the trademark application.
■ “Should creative freedom be unlimited?” vs. “The audience should decide” At the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit that day, People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Yong-geun asked Minister Choi, “Do you think making films about historical events falls within the realm of unlimited creative freedom, or do you think there should be limits on prohibiting historical distortion?” He took issue with ‘Assassin(s),’ which deals with the 1974 shooting of Yuk Young-soo, linking the tragedy of that period with the possibility of a plot within the power structure. He also criticized the film’s selection as the opening film of the Singapore International Film Festival, writing on Facebook that day, “Does putting a work embroiled in this kind of controversy at the forefront of the international stage really help raise the stature of Korean cinema?”
Minister Choi said, “There should be no restrictions on imagination and creativity; it is for the public and the audience, not me, to decide,” adding, “If you feel that you have been defamed, you should follow legal procedures.”
Yoon also took issue with the minister’s request for protection related to a rally outside the home of actor Yoo Hae-jin, who appeared in the film. Minister Choi said the measure was intended to prevent threats to the actor’s personal safety and retorted, “If the culture minister doesn’t step in, who will?”
Regarding allegations that ruling-party lawmakers had intervened in the film’s investment, Choi said it was the fund manager’s own decision, adding, “The government is not involved at all.” He also agreed with Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Oh-kyung’s point that partisan politics should not enter into matters of creative and expressive freedom.
The People Power Party’s request for director Hur Jin-ho and other production staff to appear as witnesses or reference persons fell through due to opposition from committee chair Lee Jae-jung and ruling-party lawmakers.
■ “Phenomenon trademark application aimed at preventing a third party from claiming it first”In the afternoon, Park appeared as a witness. People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin raised concerns about a monopoly on a state project and the possibility of favoritism in connection with the four major entertainment agencies’ establishment of a joint venture.
Park said, “If the four major agencies put on individual concerts instead of holding this event, they would make two to three times as much. It’s hard to call that preferential treatment.” He explained that they had taken part with a view to the long-term impact on other industries. He added that he would look into the contract provisions that had been criticized.
Minister Choi also said, “The four major agencies didn’t join to pursue their own interests,” explaining that the aim was to extend the agencies’ success overseas across the K-culture sector. He said he understood criticism of an approach that differed from the existing one, but asked that the project’s unique nature also be taken into account.
Regarding JYP Entertainment (JYP)’s early filing of the trademark application, Park explained, “We filed first because we were concerned a third party might claim the trademark after the announcement.” He acknowledged that using the company’s infrastructure because of the costs of filing overseas and the lack of a dedicated team was not standard practice.
Park stressed, “JYP will gain nothing from acquiring the trademark.” Asked whether he had benefited from taking on the committee chair role, he replied, “If anything, I spent a lot of my own money, but it was rewarding.”
He addressed the earlier controversy over receiving expenses for performing his duties in a radio interview the previous day. He explained that he had not initially known the payments had been made, but had not returned them after considering his successor and the establishment of the system. In a work report, Park said that HYBE, JYP, SM and YG had established a dedicated corporation with equal capital contributions and voting rights to develop Phenomenon under private-sector leadership. The event, scheduled for December next year, will combine K-pop performances and a fandom awards ceremony with exhibitions and interactive experiences offered by K-culture companies.

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