The Assassin(s) Claims the Holiday Lead
Hur Jin‑ho’s political thriller The Assassin(s) secured the number‑one position on the South Korean box office during the Chuseok holiday weekend. According to the Korean Film Council, the film sold 1.55 million tickets and grossed roughly $11.3 million in its first five days, marking a strong commercial debut for a director best known for Christmas in August and One Fine Spring Day.
From its opening on September 23, the movie has led the daily chart uninterrupted. Over the three‑day holiday span—September 25 to 27—it moved 1.12 million admissions across 1,532 screens, capturing 40.9 percent of the total market. Saturday alone contributed 432,341 viewers, underscoring the film’s broad appeal during the festive period.
Plot and Cast Highlights
The Assassin(s) reconstructs the August 15, 1974 shooting at a National Liberation Day ceremony, where a gunman aimed at President Park Chung‑hee and fatally struck First Lady Yuk Young‑soo. The narrative follows a trio investigating contradictory ballistic evidence: senior detective Yoo Hae‑jin, veteran newspaper journalist Park Hae‑il, and rookie reporter Lee Min‑ho. Their pursuit of the truth places both their careers and personal safety in jeopardy.
Supporting performances include Park Jeong‑min as the accused shooter, Jung Woo‑sung as a conglomerate chairman and older brother to Lee’s character, and notable turns by Shim Eun‑kyung and Oh Jung‑se. The ensemble cast delivers tight pacing and strong chemistry, elements frequently praised by early audiences.
Pre‑Release Momentum and Festival pedigree
Demand for The Assassin(s) began building well before its theatrical debut. The film topped advance ticket sales for eight consecutive days leading up to Sunday morning, a streak that started prior to release and remained uninterrupted by any competing Chuseok title.
Having just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie arrived in Korean theatres with positive buzz. Critics highlighted its disciplined editing and the ensemble’s ability to sustain tension throughout the political intrigue.
Competition Landscape
The Chuseok slot was intentionally crowded, as local distributors aimed to avoid direct confrontation with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which has dominated Korean screens since its August 5 release.
- Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub claimed second place with 663,140 admissions through Saturday.
- The Odyssey held third in its eighth weekend, adding $3.2 million and pushing its total to 11.78 million admissions (approximately $96.3 million).
- Warner Bros. Korea’s The Intern, starring Choi Min‑sik and Han So‑hee, finished fourth with $5.5 million earned since its September 16 opening.
- Lee Chang‑dong’s Netflix‑backed Possible Love, a Venice‑winning drama, debuted in fifth.
Significance for Hur Jin‑ho
For Hur Jin‑ho, the success of The Assassin(s) represents a commercial breakthrough. Known previously for lyrical dramas, his shift to a politically charged subject has resonated with audiences, reigniting public discourse around the 1974 incident. The film’s strong holiday performance demonstrates that Korean viewers are receptive to historically grounded thrillers that blend factual detail with gripping storytelling.
