Lee Young-ae, Kim Go-eun’s social media flooded with backlash over ‘The Assassin(s)’ praise
South Korean A-list actors Lee Young-ae and Kim Go-eun have faced intense online backlash after praising "The Assassin(s)," a controversial political thriller recently released in Korean theaters.
The controversy began following a VIP screening on Sept. 21, where both actors left supportive handwritten reviews. Lee called the film "thrilling and deeply moving" while praising director Hur Jin-ho. Kim noted that the movie made her feel "deeply grateful for the present."
Their social media accounts were subsequently flooded with negative comments, with critics accusing them of insensitivity regarding historical matters and expressing disappointment over their endorsements.
Helmed by star director Hur Jin-ho — known for "Christmas in August" — the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before its nationwide theatrical release on Sept. 23. The plot centers on the aftermath of the Aug. 15, 1974, assassination attempt that resulted in the death of Yuk Young-soo, wife of then-President Park Chung-hee. Starring Yoo Hae-jin as a detective investigating the case alongside journalists played by Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho, the film follows an independent probe into government interference, suggesting potential involvement by figures within Park's own administration.
The movie’s narrative premise has since drawn sharp condemnation from political figures, including Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the conservative People Power Party, who accused the production of distorting historical facts.
In response to the mounting backlash, the film's production team issued a statement on Monday, clarifying that the movie was not intended to rewrite history or present dramatic hypotheses as facts. They emphasized that the project is a work of fiction inspired by historical records, created without any specific political agenda, and noted that it does not explicitly name any individual as the mastermind behind the assassination.
Despite the clarification, the political fallout has escalated. On Tuesday, former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Lee Jong-bae filed a formal complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against director Hur and the production team, alleging defamation through the spread of false information and arguing that the film unfairly implies former President Park's complicity in his wife's death.
yoonseo.3348@heraldcorp.com
