Directors Guild of Korea (DGK) issues statement on 'Assassin(s)': "Criticism of creators must not destroy their lives and livelihoods"

The Directors Guild of Korea (DGK) has issued an official statement regarding the recently controversial film 〈Assassin(s)〉, expressing deep concern over excessive personal attacks on its creators and threats to their livelihoods.

In the statement issued Oct. 4, the DGK said, "Just as films have received praise and acclaim, criticism and harsh reviews are nothing new. But what we are facing now goes beyond criticism of a film and crosses the line into personal attacks." The guild added, "The attacks are targeting the daily lives and livelihoods of those involved, while also leading to demands that they never be allowed to make a film like this again," underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The guild stressed that assessments of a film must not escalate to the point of destroying a creator's personal life or cutting off future opportunities to work. The DGK said, "Creators can be criticized for their work, but that criticism must not lead to the destruction of their personal lives and livelihoods," adding, "People who have faced controversy and criticism must be able to hold onto another story, stake their choices on it and make another film."

Finally, the DGK said, "We extend our support and solidarity so that film professionals can create their stories in a freer and safer environment," adding, "Protecting an environment in which creators can continue creating even as they accept criticism is an essential foundation for protecting the future of Korean cinema."

The full statement follows.

Directors Guild of Korea (DGK) statement regarding 〈Assassin(s)〉

The film 〈Assassin(s)〉 recently met its audience.

Every film that is made faces criticism as well as praise. Just as films have received acclaim and high praise, condemnation and harsh reviews are nothing new. Some have said the reactions to 〈Assassin(s)〉 are unfair and excessive, but who can precisely draw the line between what is excessive and what is fair and appropriate?

But what we are facing now is not criticism or condemnation of a film. It is personal attack that has crossed the line. The attacks have moved beyond questioning the film's content and the creator's choices to target the daily lives and livelihoods of those involved, while also leading to demands that they never be allowed to make a film like this again. Assessment of a film is escalating into an attack aimed at stopping that person's next creative work as well.

People who have faced controversy and criticism must be able to hold onto another story, stake their choices on it and make another film. Creators can be criticized for their work, but that criticism must not lead to the destruction of their personal lives and livelihoods.

The creative environment the DGK seeks to protect includes standing beside creators who are trying to start again at precisely such moments. A person must not lose the opportunity to begin their next story simply because one film has faced controversy and criticism.

The DGK will extend its support and solidarity so that film professionals can create their stories in a freer and safer environment. We believe that protecting an environment in which creators can continue creating even as they accept criticism is an essential foundation for protecting the future of Korean cinema. Film must continue to bring different ideas and voices together, even when that sometimes produces controversy. If that freedom disappears, it will be difficult for new films and new stories to emerge.

Please stand with us so that the support and solidarity of audiences for creative freedom can give film professionals the strength to make films again. We, too, will stand beside creators so that Korean cinema can continue producing new stories.

2026.10.4.

Directors Guild of Korea (DGK)