Conservative groups rally outside lead actor's home and production company

Protesters rally outside actor Yoo Hae-jin's home in Seoul to denounce the film "The Assassin(s)." [Yonhap]
Protesters rally outside actor Yoo Hae-jin's home in Seoul to denounce the film "The Assassin(s)." [Yonhap]

The controversy over alleged historical distortions in the film "The Assassin(s)" has spread to its lead actor and production company, with conservative groups staging a rally outside the home of actor Yoo Hae-jin.

Two conservative groups, Sinjayuyeondae and Bellado, held a protest Sunday outside a detached house in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, known as Yoo's residence, denouncing the film's cast and crew.

Sinjayuyeondae called for the film to be pulled from screens and demanded that the production team and actors issue a public apology and commit to preventing a recurrence.

Bellado said Yoo should also appear in what it called "right-wing films."

The groups said they would continue their campaign by visiting the headquarters of companies for which Yoo serves as a brand ambassador — including Burger King and Kiwoom Securities — to demand that those endorsement contracts be terminated.

Police informally estimated about 50 people attended the rally.

Meanwhile, another conservative group, Hogungnyeonhap Bangsaedan, was set to hold a separate rally at 3 p.m. Sunday outside the offices of Hive MEDIAcorp, the film's production company, calling for a public apology to bereaved families. The group had registered 30 participants.

The film drew controversy by implying a conclusion different from the government's official account — namely that the late Yuk Young-soo died from a bullet fired by Zainichi Korean gunman Moon Se-gwang during the 1974 assassination attempt.

The production team responded, saying the film "was not made to newly establish a specific historical conclusion or to deny or distort established facts."


ko@heraldcorp.com