Seoul: Director Hur Jin-ho, who helmed "The Assassin(s)," said Monday he tried to maintain a balanced point of view in the historical thriller based on the 1974 assassination attempt against then President Park Chung-hee. The Korean film, which centers on the incident that resulted in the death of the first lady, features a star-studded cast, including Yoo Hae-jin of the megahit "The King's Warden" (2026), Park Hae-il of "Decision to Leave" (2022), and Lee Min-ho of the acclaimed saga "Pachinko" (2022-24).
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hur expressed during a press conference in Seoul that the story was not easy to tell. He revealed that he had pondered how to approach the film for more than a decade, given the real-life tragedy and the fact that some individuals involved still survive. "The top priority was to maintain a balanced and objective point of view that does not lean to any side," he stated.
Hur, known for his preference for shooting films in existing spaces, once again chose to rely on existing buildings and streets, complemented by meticulously built stage sets to recreate the ambience of the 1970s. Park Hae-il, who plays veteran reporter Jae-hwan, noted Hur's talent for extracting lively and realistic scenes through open sets and commended his efforts as "magic."
While emphasizing reality, Hur clarified that the three main characters are not based on specific figures related to the actual incident but are a complex accumulation of historic research and interviews. Alongside Park, Yoo plays police detective Cheol-gu, who witnesses the shocking incident, while Lee portrays Young-il, a rookie reporter from an affluent family pursuing truth and freedom.
"The Assassin(s)" marks a reunion for Hur and Park 10 years after the historical film "The Last Princess" (2016). Yoo and Park also teamed up again following the mystery thriller "Moss" (2010). The main actors recalled the positive shooting experience, praising their chemistry. Yoo admired Park's deepening gaze and perseverance, while Lee felt completely at ease filming with the veteran actors.
The film is set to hit local theaters during the Chuseok holiday, following its world premiere in the Gala Presentations section at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, scheduled for next month.