{
  "id": 12826803,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T08:47:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20261008/the-assassins-controversy-divides-viewers-at-busan-film-festival"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), disagreements over the movie The Assassin(s) are causing a divide among attendees. Supporters argue that the film passionately defends artistic liberty, while others are troubled by the perceived mistreatment of historical events. The narrative of The Assassin(s) focuses on the 1974 assassination attempt on President Park Chung-hee, resulting in the death of the first lady, Yuk Young-soo.\n\nThere has been criticism from conservatives and civic groups, alleging a distortion of historical facts. Moreover, a defamation suit against the filmmakers has prompted police investigations. This controversy has even impacted the festival itself. The cast and crew decided against attending BIFF due to safety concerns, and the culture ministry alongside the film community called for a firm stance against the threats directed at them.\n\nNotably, actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho opted to skip the opening ceremony, prompting the cancellation of an outdoor stage greeting and a talk program. The BIFF authority declared they have no predefined stance on the controversy. During Wednesday's proceedings at the festival, members of the competition jury held discussions regarding the dispute.",
  "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",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:27:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}