Korean theaters are gearing up for a crowded Chuseok holiday as several major domestic films prepare to open at the same time, giving moviegoers plenty of choices during one of the year’s busiest theatrical periods.
September 23rd will be a key date, with The Assassin(s), directed by Hur Jin Ho, and Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub, directed by Choi Guk Hee, leading the holiday lineup.
Inspired by real events, The Assassin(s) centers on the mystery surrounding the August 15th, 1974 assassination of South Korea’s First Lady. It is the latest film from Hive Media Corp., the production company behind historical dramas including 12.12: The Day, The Man Standing Next and Disney Plus’ Made in Korea.
Rather than simply recreating the historical event, the film approaches it as a mystery thriller through the perspectives of a detective and a newspaper journalist. Detective Chul Gu (played by Yoo Hae Jin), who witnesses the shooting, becomes convinced something about the incident does not add up. He brings his suspicions to newspaper city editor Jae Hwan (Park Hae Il), and the two set out to uncover the truth under an oppressive military regime.
Its 12-and-over rating could also work in its favor over the family-oriented holiday, allowing the film to maintain its thriller tension without shutting out younger audiences.
Meanwhile, Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub brings the gambling franchise back to theaters after seven years. Arriving in the 20th anniversary year of the original 2006 Tazza, the film is the fourth and final installment following Tazza: The Hidden Card and Tazza: One Eyed Jack.
This time, the game changes from hwatu, the Korean card game at the center of the earlier films, to trump. The story follows Jang Tae Young (Byun Yo Han), who sets out for revenge after being betrayed by his longtime friend Park Tae Young (Roh Jae Won).
The new film also breaks away from the interconnected storyline of its predecessors. While earlier installments featured characters from shared world-building, The Song of Beelzebub largely stands apart, only sharing the gambling theme and its origins in Huh Young Man’s original work but functioning as a standalone film that requires no familiarity with the first three entries.
One potential disadvantage is its adults-only rating, particularly during a family holiday. But its harder-edged material could appeal to audiences looking for something more intense.
Lee Chang Dong’s Possible Love also opens September 23rd. The film follows two married couples – a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary filmmaker and her husband – and reunites Lee with Jeon Do Yeon and Sul Kyung Gu, alongside Zo In Sung and Cho Yeo Jeong.
The film recently won the Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and is scheduled to arrive on Netflix in November. While the Venice win has raised its profile, its upcoming streaming release could make securing screens more challenging than for its commercial rivals.
With The Assassin(s), Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub and Possible Love all arriving on September 23rd, this year’s Chuseok holiday is set to bring one of the most competitive Korean film lineups of the year.
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