Controversy over the historical depiction in the film “Assassin(s)” (암살자(들)) has spilled over into protests targeting an individual cast member. On October 4, 2026, more than 50 members of conservative groups held a rally outside a detached house in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, said to be the home of Yu Hae-jin (유해진), demanding that screenings of the film be halted, that the filmmakers and actors apologize, and that they promise to prevent a recurrence. Another group also called for screenings to be halted and apologies to be issued outside the offices of production company HYBE Media Corp (하이브미디어코프) that same day.

Background and context

“Assassin(s)” opened on September 23. Backlash grew, particularly among political circles including the People Power Party (국민의힘), after claims emerged that the film depicted former President Park Chung-hee as having been involved in the shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo. This claim is the context for the controversy over the film’s historical depiction; it was not presented as an established fact in the source materials.

English-language reports said the film deals with the 1974 shooting and depicts fictional investigators asking whether people within the Park Chung-hee government or intelligence agencies might have been involved. Reports said the filmmakers described the movie as fiction and said it was not intended to establish a new historical conclusion. At the heart of the debate are questions about how far a dramatized reconstruction of a past event should be treated as a historical claim, and whether it is appropriate for criticism of the work to be directed at individual actors who took part in it.

At the rally, participants not only called for screenings to be halted and apologies to be issued but also chanted calls to boycott Burger King and Kiwoom Securities (키움증권), for which Yu Hae-jin is an advertising model. Kim Sang-jin, head of New Freedom Solidarity (신자유연대), called on the producers and actors to apologize to the deceased and their bereaved families. At the scene, fictional movie posters appeared that hinted at allegations that former President Moon Jae-in was involved in former President Roh Moo-hyun’s death and asserted that North Korean troops were involved in the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement (5·18 광주민주화운동). Participants also argued that Yu Hae-jin should appear in “right-wing films.” Some wore clothing and scarves bearing the phrase “Yoon Again” (윤어게인).

What this news means

The controversy did not stop at criticism of the film; it led to a rally outside a cast member’s home and calls to boycott advertisers. This shows how opposition to a work’s content can expand into pressure targeting an actor’s public and advertising activities. The fact that the rally took place outside a home also raises concerns about safety and privacy when public debate reaches into someone’s personal living space.

The production company canceled all official events scheduled from October 3 to 5, including cast appearances at cinemas, amid intensifying criticism of the cast. The company said it made the decision after reviewing the situation surrounding the film, taking into consideration the safety of audiences and attendees and the smooth running of events. The cancellation was described as a measure prioritizing safety, but it also affected audiences’ opportunities to meet the cast and the film’s promotional schedule.

For example, if you had planned to attend a canceled cast appearance, you should check the production company’s official announcements again rather than assume the original schedule will go ahead as planned. However, the reports provided do not establish whether the canceled events will be held later.

What different reports said

Both reports covered the rally outside the home and the controversy surrounding the film, but they included different additional details. One report described in detail the demands, posters, and slogans at the rally, as well as the production company’s cancellation of official events scheduled for October 3–5. The other also reported that Naver had detected automated, abnormal activity in responses to reviews of the film and referred the matter to police.

Naver did not disclose who carried out the activity or whether it had a political motive, and it did not confirm that the film’s star ratings themselves had been manipulated. Therefore, manipulation of review responses and manipulation of star ratings should not be treated as the same established fact. The reports’ accounts of the events can be understood as differing in the details they covered rather than contradicting one another.

What has been confirmed and what remains unknown

Confirmed facts

  • On October 4, a rally by conservative groups was held outside a detached house in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, said to be Yu Hae-jin’s home. The figure of more than 50 attendees was an unofficial police estimate.
  • Participants called for screenings to be halted, apologies from the filmmakers and actors, and a promise to prevent a recurrence, among other demands. They also chanted calls to boycott advertisers.
  • The same day, the Patriotic United Shield Corps (호국연합방패단) also held a rally outside the offices of production company HYBE Media Corp, calling for screenings to be halted and apologies to be issued.
  • The production company said it canceled official events scheduled for October 3–5, including cast appearances at cinemas, citing safety and the smooth running of events.
  • Reports said Naver referred abnormal activity related to review responses to police, but those responsible and any political motive have not been established.

What remains unknown

  • The reports do not say what safety measures police took at the rally.
  • It has not been confirmed whether the canceled official events will be held later.
  • Naver has not disclosed who carried out the abnormal activity related to review responses or for what purpose.

What readers should check

  • If you planned to attend a cast appearance or related event, check the production company’s official announcements for confirmation of the cancellation and any later schedule.
  • Consider separately the claims about the film’s historical depiction and the filmmakers’ explanation that the film is fictional. Do not assume allegations about review responses prove that star ratings were manipulated.
  • Bear in mind that the size of the rally was an unofficial police estimate, and that on-site safety measures and the schedule for any later events have not been confirmed.

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