'The Assassin(s)' Surpasses Break-even Point with 3.4 Million Viewers

The film 'The Assassin(s)' has surpassed its break-even point, with cumulative viewers exceeding 3.4 million. According to the Korean Box Office Information System of the Korean Film Council, the cumulative audience reached 3,401,825 as of 7:00 a.m. on the 29th. After reaching 3 million viewers just 20 days after its release, the film held the number one spot in the weekly Korean film box office for five consecutive weeks and surpassed its break-even point in its sixth week. It has also risen to fourth place among Korean film hits this year. Even as related events such as stage greetings were repeatedly canceled due to controversies surrounding the historical events depicted, audiences have continued to watch the film. The movie tells a story of tracking suspicions and the mastermind behind the 1974 assassination of the First Lady.

3 Million Viewers in 20 Days, Break-even Point in Week 6

According to the Korean Box Office Information System of the Korean Film Council, 'The Assassin(s)' recorded 3,401,825 cumulative viewers as of 7:00 a.m. on the 29th. Following its achievement of over 3 million viewers within 20 days of release, the film surpassed its break-even point in its sixth week. The film held the number one spot in the weekly Korean film box office for five consecutive weeks and currently ranks fourth among Korean film hits this year.

The audience numbers are tallied as of 7:00 a.m. on the 29th. It was reported that the break-even point was reached in the sixth week of release. The production company Hive Media Corp stated that the break-even point was surpassed thanks to the support of the audience. Following the record of being number one in the weekly Korean film box office for five weeks and surpassing 3 million viewers, the figure exceeding 3.4 million has been confirmed. The cumulative audience number on the Korean Film Council's integrated system is 3,401,825.

Canceled Events Amid Historical Distortion Controversy and Continued Viewership

Since its release, the film has been embroiled in controversy regarding the perspective through which it handles historical events. It was reported that related events, such as stage greetings, were repeatedly canceled due to political controversy. According to reference articles, opinions have emerged both criticizing the film for distorting historical facts and arguing that cinematic imagination and freedom of expression should be respected. One media report also stated that some groups held protests in front of the residence of lead actor Yoo Hae-jin.

The production team explained that the film is a feature film reconstructed by investigating various records and materials and adding cinematic imagination based on a historical event that occurred in 1974. The production team stated that the film was not made to confirm a specific historical conclusion or to deny or distort existing facts, nor did it define a specific person as the mastermind behind the incident or present dramatic settings as historical facts. They also expressed the position that they respect various interpretations and criticisms, as the film is based on a historical event and real-life figures.

On the 28th, broadcaster Choi Wook announced on the YouTube show 'Spicy Hot Show' that he would hold a theater rental event for the film. Choi said, "The film itself is interesting. That is why these controversies are even more regrettable," and urged audiences to watch the film themselves and evaluate it as a work. Director Hur Jin-ho, who appeared on the same program, mentioned the difficulties experienced due to the historical distortion controversy, criticism from political circles, and protests against the actors. Hur said, "I have been making films for about 30 years, but this is a first for me. When such a situation occurs, I cannot help but feel intimidated. On the other hand, I am also feeling the power of solidarity a lot."

A Narrative Tracking the Incident and the Actors' Performances

'The Assassin(s)' is a work that tracks the suspicions and the mastermind behind the First Lady's assassination on August 15, 1974. According to reference articles, during the 29th Liberation Day commemorative ceremony held at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul at the time, First Lady Yuk Young-soo was shot and killed while President Park Chung-hee was delivering a congratulatory speech. The film is composed of a story that follows related questions using this incident as its subject. It was directed by Hur Jin-ho and stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho.

The source describes how Hur's delicate and meticulous direction, the dense performances of the actors, and the tense investigative narrative drew in the audience. It is described as a story that adds cinematic imagination to a real event, with a structure where the audience feels as if they are solving the puzzle of truth by following clues. Hur also emphasized on the broadcast that the film was made in a way that raises questions about the incident rather than concluding with a specific result.

Hur mentioned the differences between the investigation announcements at the time of the 1974 incident and the details revealed after the 2005 information disclosure. According to the source, the director explained that he resolved various questions surrounding the incident through cinematic questions. Since its release, audiences have continued to offer their own impressions and evaluations of the incident and the narrative contained in the work. Choi Wook's remark asking audiences to watch and judge the film for themselves was also a suggestion to watch the film despite the controversy.

Invitations to Overseas Film Festivals Including Toronto and Singapore

'The Assassin(s)' has been invited to or screened at overseas film festivals. The film was named a runner-up for the International Critics Award at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. For the first time in 22 years for a Korean film, it was selected as the opening film for the 37th SGIFF, where both the opening screening and the second screening were sold out locally. A programmer for SGIFF evaluated the work as "one of the remarkable achievements made by Korean cinema today."

In addition, it was invited to the 28th Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, the 21st Paris Korean Film Festival, and the 46th Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. At the Paris Korean Film Festival, all seats were sold out within three minutes of ticket sales beginning. The invitations to film festivals and the records of sold-out screenings were reported alongside the domestic box office news. In Singapore, both the opening screening and the second screening were sold out, and in Paris, all seats were sold out within three minutes of ticket sales starting.

'The Assassin(s)' surpassed its break-even point in its sixth week of release in Korea and has recorded 3,401,825 cumulative viewers. Overseas, it has been introduced at the Toronto International Film Festival and SGIFF, and has been invited to the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, Paris Korean Film Festival, and Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. According to reference articles, the film is currently screening in theaters nationwide.

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