Assassins film tops box office during Chuseok holiday

The film ‘Assassins’ has taken the top spot at the box office, drawing approximately 134,000 viewers on its opening day, August 23. The movie, starring Park Hae-il, Yoo Hae-jin, and Lee Min-ho, explores the investigation into the 1974 assassination of South Korea’s First Lady.

In the film, Park Hae-il portrays Jae-hwan, a veteran social affairs editor who seeks the truth behind the historical event. The narrative shifts from a mystery into a deeper exploration of how truth is recorded and communicated to the world. Co-stars have praised Park’s restrained and steady acting style, with Yoo Hae-jin comparing his presence to a spinning top that maintains its upright energy.

The film's success coincides with a shift in South Korean holiday viewing habits. During the Chuseok holiday, audiences are increasingly choosing between traditional television broadcasts, OTT platforms like Netflix and Disney+, and movie theaters, rather than following a single scheduled program.