'The Assassin(s)' actors to skip BIFF events amid controversy over historical inaccuracies

The Korea Times - Oct 2, 2026

Actors who starred in "The Assassin(s)" will not attend events at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the film's distributor said Friday, amid allegations over historical distortion in the Korean film. The decision comes after some critics raised concerns that the historical film, which deals with the 1974 assassination attempt on then Korean President Park Chung-hee, resulting in the death of the first lady, implies that Park or intelligence authorities were possibly behind the case. "After careful consideration, and taking into account the safety of audiences and attendees, we have decided not to participate in the BIFF's opening ceremony or the Outdoor Stage Greeting scheduled for Oct. 7," Hive Media Corp. said in an English-language statement posted on its social media account. Lead actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho were set to take part in the opening ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, while director Hur Jin-ho, actor Park Hae-il and the other two actors were set to participate in the outdoor event the following day to introduce the film. An "Actor's House" program,

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