“Diverse Voices Must Be Respected”: Korean Film Producers Association Statement on the Film “Assassin(s)”

(Full statement below)

Various opinions and discussions have recently emerged surrounding the film 〈Assassin(s)〉, including its content and expression, as well as the production process.

The Korean Film Producers Association believes that the free expression of diverse evaluations and criticisms of films and other cultural and artistic works is a natural and necessary process. In particular, works based on historical events or real people can prompt differing opinions depending on viewers’ perspectives and interpretations. Those diverse voices must be respected.

At the same time, we are concerned about situations in which unverified information regarding the production process or participating creators spreads, or in which individual creators—including the production company, director, actors and staff—face excessive criticism simply because they took part in the work.

A film is a cultural creation completed through the long-term collaboration of numerous creators and production staff. Fictional films dealing with real events or historical subjects are likewise made by combining dramatic structure and cinematic imagination with relevant records and materials. Accordingly, we believe assessments of a work’s expression and interpretation should focus primarily on the work itself.

The production team behind 〈Assassin(s)〉 has also stated that the film is a fictional work reconstructed from a historical event by adding cinematic imagination to various records and materials. The team has also publicly said that some recent claims concerning the film’s production and investment do not accord with the facts.

Through this discussion, the Korean Film Producers Association does not seek to judge any particular historical interpretation or social position, nor does it intend to support either side. However, we believe that allowing discussion surrounding a single work to go beyond evaluating the work itself and develop into attacks on individuals involved in its production—including the production company, director, actors and staff—or the spread of unverified information is not desirable for a healthy production environment in Korean cinema.

For Korean cinema to continue exploring diverse subjects and stories freely, audiences must be guaranteed the freedom to evaluate and criticize works, while creators need an environment in which they can work without concern about excessive outside pressure.

The Korean Film Producers Association hopes that this discussion will continue calmly and constructively in the realm of the work and creative endeavor, with differing opinions respected. We also hope that criticism and assessments of the work will be based on facts, and that the creative activities of everyone involved in its production—including the production company, director, actors and staff—will likewise be respected.

The Korean Film Producers Association will continue to respect the diverse voices of audiences and work to protect a healthy production environment and creative ecosystem for Korean cinema.

Oct. 1, 2026. Korean Film Producers Association