[Photo&] Yoo Hae-jin and the ‘Assassins’ … Turning a Gunshot Into the Truth Behind the Plot — The Production Report Meeting for “The Assassins”

‘The Assassins’ First-Ever Film Adaptation in South Korea … The Hidden Truth of August 15, 1974

Fact Check With Yoo Hae-jin and Hae-il Park, Releasing on Chuseok After a Decade in the Making

On August 15, 1974, a turning point in modern South Korean history is finally brought to the screen. The film ‘The Assassins’, which has emerged as one of the biggest expectations this Chuseok, promises more than a simple recreation of history. It foreshadows a dense mystery pursuit drama that digs into a concealed truth. By adding powerhouse performers such as ‘Yoo Hae-jin’, ‘Hae-il Park’, and ‘Min-ho Lee’, the production raises the stakes of the story.

A Gun That Changed the Course of History, Revived in 1974 on Screen

Starring ‘Yoo Hae-jin’, the lead of the film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’, which drew 16.9 million viewers earlier this year, walked into the cold center of modern history this time. Directed by Heo Jin-ho, ‘The Assassins’ is a work that carefully weaves cinematic imagination atop major facts: the assassination attempt on former President Park Chung-hee by Mun Se-gwang and the fatal shooting death of First Lady Yuk Young-soo. Heo said he spent no less than 10 years analyzing the tragic incident in depth and made ‘a balanced perspective’ and ‘an unprejudiced search for truth’ his top priorities.

The Obsession of Those Who Chase Questions, an Overwhelming Ensemble Beyond Generations

The ensemble is the strongest weapon supporting this film. ‘Yoo Hae-jin’ takes on the role of security detective Cheol-gu, who rushes toward the real truth after directly witnessing the scene, showcasing his distinctive animal instincts and high-tension acting. Joining him, ‘Hae-il Park’, who returned after four years following ‘Decision to Leave’, takes on the role of Jae-hwan, the head of the society desk at a newspaper company, anchoring the center of the story with weight. Reuniting with Director Heo after 10 years since ‘The Queen and Her Emperor’, he depicts with precision the agonies of a journalist who pushes forward steadfastly toward the truth. Also, ‘Min-ho Lee’ as rookie reporter Yeong-il brings dynamism to the drama by digging into the other side of the case with raw courage and passion.

An Aesthetics Created by Meticulous Research, a Well-Made Film First Recognized in Toronto

To transplant the air of the 1970s onto the screen as faithfully as possible, the production team decided to exclude artificial sets and instead went all in on location shoots using real places. The newspaper office spaces of the time, brought to life through the art team’s relentless historical research, served as a catalyst that maximized the actors’ immersion. This level of completeness was recognized overseas first. The film received an official invitation to the gala presentation section of the 51st ‘Toronto International Film Festival’, which opens next month, proving its artistic value.

A Full Chuseok Movie Season, a Shot Signal for a Revival of Korean Cinema

This year’s Chuseok theater season, led by ‘The Assassins’, features Korean films across a range of genres, including ‘Tazza: The Hidden Card of Belzebub’, ‘The Intern’, and ‘A Possible Love’, as they battle fiercely for box-office traction. ‘Yoo Hae-jin’ and ‘Hae-il Park’ said in unison that they are looking forward to the recovery of energy in the holiday theater market. With ‘The Assassins’, which announced the birth of a well-made pursuit drama, sparking viewers’ intellectual curiosity, attention both inside and outside the film industry is focused on whether the film can kick off a new box-office craze for Korean cinema.