[Official] "The Assassin(s)" Surpasses 3.4 Million Viewers Amid Controversy, Exceeds Break-Even Point

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Despite the controversy over historical distortion, the film "The Assassin" has broken even, thanks to the steady support of audiences.

On the 29th, production company HYBE Media Cop announced, "Driven by the consistent support of viewers, 'The Assassin,' a story tracking the suspicions and masterminds behind the First Lady assassination incident that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974, has surpassed its break-even point."

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network, "The Assassin" recorded a cumulative audience of 3,401,825 as of 7 a.m. that day, surpassing its break-even point. The film attracted 3 million viewers within 20 days of release and has demonstrated remarkable box office strength by ranking in the top four highest-grossing Korean films of 2026. In particular, while maintaining long-term success by holding the number one spot on the weekly Korean film box office for five consecutive weeks through its fifth week of release, it achieved the valuable milestone of breaking even in its sixth week.

Furthermore, the enthusiastic reactions from prestigious overseas film festivals add momentum to "The Assassin"'s trajectory. After being named a runner-up for the International Audience Award at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, the film achieved the feat of being selected as the opening film of the 37th Singapore International Film Festival, the first time in 22 years that a Korean film has held this distinction. "The Assassin," which sold out all seats from its opening screening to its second showing, proving high interest among local audiences, received praise from festival programmers as "one of the remarkable achievements accomplished by contemporary Korean cinema," earning recognition for its artistic merit not only domestically but also globally. Moreover, the film has been successively invited to the 28th Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, the 21st Paris Korean Film Festival, and the 46th Hawaii International Film Festival. At the Paris Korean Film Festival, it sold out all tickets within three minutes of opening pre-sales, further solidifying its presence on the world stage.

Meanwhile, "The Assassin" is a work that traces the suspicions and masterminds behind the shooting incident of Mrs. Yuk Young-soo, which occurred on August 15, 1974. Since its release, controversy has continued as opinions have been divided between criticism that it distorts historical facts and arguments that cinematic imagination and freedom of expression should be respected.

The production team of "The Assassin" explained the historical distortion controversy by stating, "It is a feature film reconstructed with cinematic imagination added after investigating various records and materials based on the historical event that occurred in 1974."

They further stated, "This is not a film produced to finalize a specific historical conclusion or to deny or distort existing facts," emphasizing, "Nowhere in the film is a specific individual designated as the mastermind of the incident, nor are dramatic settings presented as historical facts."

Additionally, while stating, "Given that it deals with a historical event and real people, we respect various interpretations and criticisms," they urged, "Since this is not a film produced for specific political purposes, please view it as a creative work."

The film "The Assassin," which has achieved the meaningful milestone of breaking even amid audience choice and favorable reviews, is currently showing to great acclaim in theaters nationwide.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original