Conservative Groups Protest Outside Yoo Hae-jin’s Home, Canceling ‘Assassins’ Stage Greetings

Protests surrounding the historical drama film “Assassins” escalated on October 4, when roughly 50 members of conservative groups gathered outside the Seoul home of lead actor Yoo Hae-jin to demand apologies and a halt to the film’s screenings. The demonstrations follow intense political backlash over the movie’s depiction of the 1974 fatal shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-su, which critics argue wrongly implicates former President Park Chung-hee in the assassination. Resistance to the film has grown particularly among political circles, including the People Power Party, since the movie’s release on September 23.

Protesters Assemble Outside Seoul Residence with Controversial Posters

According to police estimates cited by the Hankyoreh, approximately 50 members from organizations such as New Freedom Union and Bellado assembled outside a single-family home in Seoul’s Seongbuk district identified as Yoo’s residence. The demonstrators carried virtual movie posters suggesting former President Moon Jae-in was connected to the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun or promoting the claim that North Korean forces intervened in the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Some participants wore t-shirts and mufflers bearing the phrase “Yoon Again,” while calling for boycotts against corporate brands including Burger King and Kiwoom Securities that feature Yoo as an advertising model. New Freedom Union representative Kim Sang-jin urged the actors and producers to apologize to the deceased and the bereaved family. Later that afternoon, another conservative group named Patriotic Union Shield Defense staged a separate protest outside the headquarters of production company Hive Media Corp, demanding a stop to screenings and formal apologies.

Production Company Cancels Promotional Events

Amid growing hostility directed at the cast and crew, Hive Media Corp canceled all scheduled promotional events, including stage greetings at theater locations planned for October 3 through October 5. In a statement reported by the Hankyoreh, the production company explained that the decision was reached after carefully reviewing the current situation to protect the safety of audiences and attendees. The studio maintained that the project was not created to establish new historical conclusions or distort facts, emphasizing that the narrative does not designate any specific individual as the mastermind behind the attack nor presents dramatic hypotheses as established history. The company asked the public to view the work as a product of creation and noted that various interpretations and criticisms are possible for a work based on real people and historical events. Due to continuing criticism, the film’s representatives also canceled their scheduled appearance at the Busan International Film Festival.

Public Figures and Commentators Weigh In

The controversy has drawn commentary from prominent public figures across South Korea. History lecturer Hwang Hyun-pil stated on his YouTube channel that he cannot agree with the idea of President Park Chung-hee being the mastermind, and expressed condolences for First Lady Yuk’s death. While acknowledging the pain of the bereaved family, Hwang argued that those who praised the film “The Birth of Korea” have no right to call “Assassins” immoral, as the latter did not mock the death or defend Mun Se-gwang. Meanwhile, Rep. Joo Jin-woo sparked controversy by replying “North Korean look” to a post criticizing Yoo Hae-jin. On a September 30 YouTube broadcast, Joo questioned why it was a problem to discuss Yoo’s appearance, asking, “Do I not have freedom of expression?” and claiming Yoo’s face reflects his support for North Korea. Joo also responded to a post about actress Kim Go-eun—who faced criticism for a recommendation for the film—by stating that President Park Chung-hee created the current grateful present.

Jin stated that while criticizing a movie is acceptable, "terror" against actors and critics must stop, urging critics to avoid "collective lynching." He further suggested that those who previously claimed a Starbucks "Tank Day" event insulted the May 18 movement should reflect on their actions.

Anecdotes of First Lady Yuk Young-su

The debate has brought renewed attention to a story told by actor Choi Bul-am. During an April 7, 2024, episode of MBC’s “The Return of Legend Detective Chief,” Choi recalled receiving a phone call from the Blue House in 1974. He described hearing First Lady Yuk’s voice, who asked how many cigarettes he smoked. When Choi replied he smoked four, she told him, “Oh, just do it with two,” explaining that President Park had been imitating Choi’s habit of smoking four cigarettes while watching the drama “Chief Detective.” Choi recalled hearing President Park in the background telling her to stop talking about useless things and hang up.

Conservative Groups Demand Halts and Apologies from Producers

What specific demands did the conservative groups make outside the actor’s home?

Demonstrators from the New Freedom Union and Bellado demanded an immediate halt to movie screenings, a national apology from the production team and actors, and concrete promises to prevent similar historical depictions in the future, alongside corporate boycotts of brands endorsing the lead actor.

How did the production company respond to the escalating protests?

Hive Media Corp canceled its scheduled opening-week stage greetings and promotional events from October 3 to October 5, citing safety concerns for audiences and participants while defending the film as a dramatic work rather than a political distortion of history.

What previous historical event forms the basis of the film’s narrative?

The film centers on the August 15, 1974, shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-su during a Liberation Day ceremony, exploring investigative angles involving a reporter and a detective.