South Korean actor Yoo Hae-jin has been placed under police protection following threats and protests outside his home over his role in the political thriller The Assassin(s), as box office admissions surpass two million and festival organizers face growing pressure over the film.
Police Action at Yoo Hae-jin Residence Amid Public Protests
Seoul police have stepped up security around the home of actor Yoo Hae-jin after conservative groups staged demonstrations outside his residence. The Seongbuk Police Station provided the 56-year-old actor with a smartwatch and registered him under the national emergency response system following requests from his agency, Vast Entertainment. Protesters have gathered to demand apologies from the cast and crew, while online communities have circulated notifications for assemblies targeting the production. Right-wing groups gathered outside the actor’s home in Seoul’s Seongbuk-gu, demanding that the movie be pulled from theaters and that its cast and producers issue apologies. The backlash widened further as protesters gathered outside Burger King’s Korean headquarters in Seoul to call for a boycott of the chain previously endorsed by Yoo, while another group protested outside production company Hive Media Corp.
The backlash stems from Yoo’s performance as a police superintendent in The Assassin(s), directed by Heo Jin-ho. The movie examines the August 15, 1974, shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo during a Liberation Day ceremony in Seoul. While official investigations at the time concluded that gunman Mun Se-gwang acted under North Korean direction, critics argue that the fictionalized narrative implies involvement by former President Park Chung-hee and intelligence officials. A former People Power Party Seoul city councilor asked Seoul police to investigate director Heo, the production company’s CEO, and the film’s two writers for defamation, while conservative civic groups like the New Freedom Solidarity planned daily protests outside the lead actor’s home.
Cancellations at Busan International Film Festival and Box Office Milestones
The controversy has directly impacted high-profile industry events. The Busan International Film Festival cancelled an Actors House appearance scheduled for October 7 by co-star Lee Min-ho, citing unavoidable circumstances. Production company HYBE Media Corp subsequently announced the cancellation of third-week stage greetings for the film, prioritizing the safety of audiences and cast members. The cast faced direct hostility with thousands of critical comments left on their social media accounts, alongside demands that they be barred from future films.
We reviewed options to proceed with the stage greetings normally until the very last moment, but as we prioritized the safety of our audience above all else, we regretfully had no choice but to cancel this schedule as well.
HYBE Media Corp, via Star News
Despite the canceled promotional appearances and protests, The Assassin(s) crossed 2,233,963 in cumulative admissions by October 5 after opening on September 23. At the same time, Yoo won Best Actor at the 35th Buil Film Awards on October 7 for his work in the unrelated film The King’s Warden, but skipped the ceremony, with production company Onda Works CEO Im Eun-jeong accepting the trophy on his behalf.
Zhang Yimou and Jury Address Artistic Freedom at Busan
The wider implications for creative expression became a central talking point during panel sessions at the Busan International Film Festival. Chinese director Zhang Yimou, who leads the festival’s competition jury, spoke during a press conference about the boundaries between historical record and artistic output. The Directors Guild of Korea also addressed the situation, condemning what it called attacks on individuals that have crossed the line.
The relationship between the freedom of creation and historical fact cannot be defined in one word or answered in a short period of time … (but) creation is creation.
Zhang Yimou, Jury President, via Yonhap News Agency
Fellow juror and Korean director July Jung noted that creators carry the weight of their fictional worlds while acknowledging the public reactions. I understand that because of the story the film deals with, there are people who were hurt by it and their thoughts could be expressed
, Jung said during the panel, adding that she has felt daunted by the intensity of the ongoing discourse. She expressed heartfelt support for fellow creators, stating her hope that they will continue their work steadily without being swayed by outside pressure.
Singapore International Film Festival Maintains Opening Night Selection
The debate has extended past domestic borders. Critics also circulated instructions on social media encouraging people to petition the festival, Singapore’s embassy in South Korea, and the Singapore Tourism Board’s Seoul office to drop the movie.
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We express deep regret over the choice of The Assassin(s) as the opening film, and urge you to reconsider this decision immediately.
People Power Party National Assembly Members, via CNA Lifestyle
Despite the formal request from lawmakers and petitions organized by conservative groups targeting Singaporean diplomatic offices, SGIFF confirmed that the movie will proceed as its opening film.