The controversy over the historical portrayal in the film The Assassin(s) has now extended to some of the celebrities who attended its VIP premiere.
Lee Young Ae and Kim Go Eun, who watched the film and shared positive reactions, have faced critical and hostile comments on their social media accounts.
The film’s distributor, HIVE Media Corp, recently released handwritten comments from celebrities who attended the VIP premiere on September 21st.
Lee Young Ae wrote, “I watched it with thrilling emotion.” Kim Go Eun wrote, “I felt a lot of gratitude for the present. Please watch it and feel it together.” Kim Min added, “Felt cold yet hot tension. I watched it very well.”
As criticism of the film’s historical portrayal grew following its release, some people also began targeting the celebrities who had praised the movie.
Comments left on their social media accounts included, “Don’t get involved in things you don’t know,” and “I’m truly disappointed.”
Ryu Hye Young also promoted The Assassin(s) on social media on September 29th, writing, “The Assassin(s) was also very fun,” alongside photos from the VIP premiere. Her post drew comments calling for a boycott of the film, including, “Boycott the distorters,” “Don’t buy,” and “Won’t watch.” One commenter also wrote, “All the actors I loved are leftists.”
The backlash has also reached lead actor Yoo Hae Jin.
On September 29th, comments were disabled on a YouTube video promoting Burger King’s new fall menu, which features Yoo Hae Jin as its advertising model. Burger King had selected the actor to promote its new menu when it launched on September 16th.
The video itself is unrelated to The Assassin(s), but comments about the film reportedly began appearing under the advertisement. The comment section was subsequently restricted.
The Assassin(s) is based on the 1974 assassination of Yuk Young Soo, the wife of then-President Park Chung Hee, during a ceremony marking Korea’s Liberation Day at the National Theater of Korea on August 15th, 1974. The film follows an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her assassination, including questions about who was behind the attack.
The film was released on September 23rd and surpassed 1 million moviegoers within four days. However, some groups have accused the film of distorting historical events since its release. The Park Chung Hee Presidential Memorial Foundation has also demanded an apology from the production company and called for screenings to be halted.
The Assassin(s) team has stated that the film was not intended to establish new historical conclusions or deny or distort established facts.
The production company has also denied claims that Chinese money was involved in the film.
HIVE Media Corp issued a statement on September 29th after claims about alleged Chinese investment began circulating online and in some media reports.
“There is absolutely no Chinese capital involved in the production or investment of our company or the film The Assassin(s),” the company said. It added that Korean production staff and creators independently planned and produced the film with domestic funding.
“We are well aware that various opinions and issues are being raised surrounding the film,” the company said. “As matters concerning investment and production funding are objectively verifiable facts, we hope that information contrary to the facts will not be further spread or reproduced.”
The statement came after Joo Jin Woo, a member of the People Power Party, claimed that a consortium involving a financial company affiliated with China was pursuing a 40 billion won investment in The Assassin(s), raising questions about possible Chinese involvement in the film’s financing.
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