{
  "id": 12823347,
  "title": "'The Assassin(s)' controversy divides viewers at Busan film festival",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/the-assassin-s-controversy-divides-viewers-at-busan-film-festival",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T08:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20261008/the-assassins-controversy-divides-viewers-at-busan-film-festival"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BUSAN—The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is experiencing controversy surrounding the film The Assassin(s). Viewers at the event are divided in their opinions, with some expressing discomfort and others supporting the filmmakers' creative freedom. The film depicts the 1974 assassination attempt on President Park Chung-hee, leading to the death of then-first lady Yuk Young-soo. Conservative political groups and civic organizations argue that the movie inaccurately portrays history, resulting in a defamation complaint against the filmmakers and police investigations. The dispute has even affected the festival, with cast and crew canceling their attendance due to safety concerns. The culture ministry and film community urged a firm response to the threats. Notably, actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho missed the opening ceremony, and an outdoor stage greeting and talk program were canceled. Despite the controversy, the festival remains neutral, with its competition jury addressing the issue during a recent meeting.",
  "summary": "BUSAN — Amid escalating controversy over the film \"The Assassin(s),\" visitors at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) are far from united in their views. Among those aware of the dispute, opinions were split between discomfort and support for creative freedom. The film dramatizes the 1974 assasination attempt on then-President Park Chung-hee, which led to the fatal shooting of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "SGIFF stands by The Assassin(s) as festival opening film despite controversy and calls for withdrawal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/sgiff-stands-by-the-assassin-s-as-festival-opening-film-despite",
        "published": "2026-10-08T04:31:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "'The Assassin(s)' controversy divides viewers at Busan film festival",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/the-assassin-s-controversy-divides-viewers-at-busan-film-festival-12826803",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:47:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}