The Assassin(s) film explores 1974 South Korean political assassination

The film “The Assassin(s)”, directed by Hur Jin-ho, is a political thriller centered on the 1974 attempted assassination of South Korean President Park Chung-hee. The story focuses on the investigation into the shooting that occurred during a Liberation Day ceremony, which resulted in the death of First Lady Yuk Young-soo.

Rather than a standard crime film, the narrative functions as a journalism procedural. It follows reporters and investigators, such as social affairs editor Kim Jae-hwan, as they navigate the challenges of reporting under an authoritarian regime. The plot explores inconsistencies in the official account, including discrepancies regarding the number of shots fired and the handling of forensic evidence, suggesting a potential larger conspiracy.

The film highlights the risks faced by the press during this era, depicting the tension between newsrooms and government censors or intelligence agents who monitored and controlled the flow of information.