The Assassin(s) is gaining attention both at home and overseas after topping South Korea’s box office and receiving invitations from several major international film festivals.
The film, directed by Hur Jin Ho and starring Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae Il, and Lee Min Ho, was previously invited to the Gala Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.
All of its public screenings at Toronto reportedly sold out, and the film later finished as runner-up for the festival’s International People’s Choice Award.
Following its Toronto appearance, The Assassin(s) has now been invited to the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, Singapore International Film Festival, Festival du Film Coréen à Paris, and Hawaii International Film Festival.
The film was selected for the World Panorama section at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, while both the Singapore International Film Festival and Festival du Film Coréen à Paris chose it as their opening film.
Singapore International Film Festival executive director Jeremy Chua praised the film, saying it has the qualities expected from an opening title, including large-scale appeal and a strong directorial perspective.
He also highlighted the film’s themes involving press freedom and the importance of truth.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii International Film Festival invited The Assassin(s) to its Gala Presentations section, with festival executive director Anderson Le describing Hur Jin Ho as “one of the masters who helped lay the foundation of modern Korean cinema.”
The overseas attention comes as The Assassin(s) continues its strong performance at the Korean box office.
According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing system, the film drew 288,485 moviegoers on September 24 and ranked No. 1 at the overall box office for the second consecutive day.
Its cumulative admissions reached 447,073 after just two days, while advance ticket sales also passed 300,000.
The Assassin(s) follows an investigation into the questions and possible forces behind the August 15, 1974 assassination attempt that shocked South Korea.
With strong domestic ticket sales and growing recognition from international film festivals, the film is now expanding its reach to audiences around the world.
