MBC’s ‘PD Notebook’ Takes Aim at ‘The Assassin(s)’ Controversy; Director Hur Jin-ho Asks, ‘Are We Not Even Allowed to Ask Questions?’

MBC’s investigative news program 〈PD Notebook〉 will take an in-depth look at the dispute and allegations of outside pressure surrounding the film 〈The Assassin(s)〉, a controversy that has spread beyond the film industry into politics. MBC said the October 27 broadcast at 10:20 p.m. will feature an episode titled “The Assassin(s): Who Crossed the Line?”

〈The Assassin(s)〉, which investigates questions about the August 15, 1974, killing of South Korea’s first lady and who was behind it, has continued its box-office run, drawing more than 3.34 million moviegoers since its release. But the dispute over its interpretation of history has grown increasingly heated. A rally outside lead actor Yoo Hae-jin’s home has been announced, advertisers have received protest calls, and the possibility of a search and seizure was raised during a parliamentary audit. In particular, 109 lawmakers from the People Power Party sent a letter to the 37th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) calling on it to withdraw 〈The Assassin(s)〉 as its opening film, prompting allegations of political pressure.

Director Hur Jin-ho, who has remained silent for about a month, will appear on the program to share his thoughts. “Are we not even allowed to ask questions?” Hur said. He is expected to speak candidly about the criticism and pressure directed at the film.

The production team will compare the film’s depictions with past news reports and records from investigative programs, including MBC’s 〈Now We Can Tell〉 and SBS’s 〈Unanswered Questions〉, to examine the basis for the questions the film raises and the issues at stake. The program will also report from the Singapore International Film Festival and feature director Lee Myung-se and film critic Baek Jae-wook as it asks where the line lies between the right to legitimate criticism and outside pressure that stifles creative freedom.

The 〈PD Notebook〉 episode “The Assassin(s): Who Crossed the Line?,” examining the social conflict surrounding 〈The Assassin(s)〉, airs Tuesday, October 27, at 10:20 p.m.