First film to tackle the 1974 first lady shooting — set for chuseok release

Poster for the film "Assassin(s)" [Provided by Hive MEDIAcorp]
Poster for the film "Assassin(s)" [Provided by Hive MEDIAcorp]

"Assassin(s)," starring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho, has confirmed a chuseok release.

The film is a mystery thriller tracing the allegations and hidden forces behind the shooting of South Korea's first lady on Aug. 15, 1974 — an incident that shocked the nation. It blends surviving records with cinematic imagination to revisit questions that remain unanswered to this day, making it the first film to tackle the first lady shooting.

Director Heo Jin-ho helms the project. He has moved deftly across eras and genres in films such as "Christmas in August" (1998), "The Last Princess" (2016) and "Forbidden Dream" (2019). With Yoo, Park and Lee heading the cast, it ranks among the most anticipated Korean releases of the second half of the year.

Yoo plays Cheol-gu, a detective who was in charge of security at the scene on the day of the shooting. Troubled by the gap between what he witnessed and the official findings announced by the investigation headquarters, he follows his instincts to uncover the truth.

Park takes on the role of Jae-hwan, a senior editor at a newspaper's city desk — a veteran journalist who pursues the truth despite mounting pressure, driven by professional conviction and sharp insight. Lee plays Yeong-il, a rookie reporter who covered the scene, a character defined by boldness and tenacity as he plunges into danger in search of the truth.

"Assassin(s)" is set to open during the chuseok holiday season in 2026.


balme@heraldcorp.com