[TF Cinema Review] 'Assassins', 2% of Regret Remains at the End of the Pursuit of Truth

A story tracking the suspicions and behind-the-scenes of the First Lady assassination attempt.The passionate performances of Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho... The appearance of controversial actors hinders immersion."Assassination(s)," opening on the 23rd, is a mystery thriller that traces the suspicions and behind-the-scenes of the First Lady assassination attempt that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974, adding cinematic imagination to the remaining records and unresolved questions to this day. / Hive Media Corp.[Reporter Park Ji-yoon] "Assassination(s)" is a period drama and mystery thriller that meticulously layers cinematic imagination onto the official records of a historical event easily found with a simple search. The fresh ensemble of actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, combined with a fast-paced narrative, maintains taut suspense in the pursuit of truth while also delivering a profound resonance that pierces through a turbulent era. Therefore, the appearance of controversial actors, who pop up just when you're about to forget about them, only serves to disrupt immersion."Assassination(s)" (directed by Hur Jin-ho), which will be screened on the 23rd, is a mystery thriller that traces the suspicions and behind-the-scenes of the First Lady assassination attempt that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974, adding cinematic imagination to the remaining records and unresolved questions to this day. Director Hur Jin-ho, who has delicately explored characters and events through films like "The Last Princess" and "Christmas in August," took the megaphone.On August 15, 1974, on the day of the 29th Liberation Day ceremony, an unprecedented event occurs: the First Lady is shot during a live broadcast watched by the entire nation. As gunshots ring out, the ceremony descends into chaos, and the suspect, Moon Tae-kwang (played by Park Jung-min), is arrested.Yoo Hae-jin, playing Cheol-gu, once again embodies a person of that era, while Park Hae-il portrays Jae-hwan, the head of the social affairs department, exuding both heavy charisma and human warmth. / Hive Media Corp.The incident is quickly concluded as Moon Tae-kwang's solo act and a national tragedy, but there are more than a few suspicious aspects. Moon Tae-kwang fired five shots, including a misfire, yet only four bullets were recovered. Furthermore, another shot was fired after Moon Tae-kwang was subdued by security guards, making a total of six shots at the scene. Additionally, the spot where Moon Tae-kwang stood made it impossible for the high school student, who tragically lost her life, to have been shot there.Consequently, Detective Cheol-gu (Yoo Hae-jin), who was tasked with stopping Moon Tae-kwang at the entrance for lacking a pass on the day of the incident but is now facing responsibility due to a sudden change in directives from the Blue House security chief, and Jae-hwan (Park Hae-il), the head of the social affairs department at a newspaper, who delves into the gaps between conflicting circumstances and evidence while scrutinizing the incident's aftermath, begin to uncover the truth of that day, harboring indelible questions amidst the discrepancies between the announced investigation results and the actual circumstances."Assassination(s)," inspired by the assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo on Liberation Day in 1974, spans from nine days before the incident to 90 days after, filling the gaps in official records with cinematic imagination and unfolding the story as a suspense genre. Through the police and reporters who chase the questions and masterminds behind the officially known events, the film also offers a glimpse into the power dynamics and atmosphere of Korean society at the time.Director Hur Jin-ho, who helmed the film, does not focus on revealing or concluding the truth of the incident or identifying the perpetrator and mastermind. Instead, he illuminates the individuals who relentlessly and passionately pursue these elements. In the early part of the film, fragments of the incident, viewed from each character's perspective, quickly and powerfully interlock, drawing the audience into wondering about the truth alongside them. Subsequently, the film deeply explores the complex emotions of the characters living within that time, leaving behind questions and resonance that transcend the era.Of course, as the story begins as a mystery tracking the truth of the assassination attempt and evolves into a narrative highlighting the passionate conviction and sense of duty of the reporters of that time, there are points where the ultimate message it converges on is somewhat unclear. However, these gaps are naturally filled by the actors' passionate performances.After watching "Assassination(s)," viewers can search for the incident and engage in various discussions based on the different memories and perspectives of each generation, making it an interesting choice for the Chuseok holiday movie season. / Hive Media Corp.First, Yoo Hae-jin, as Cheol-gu, a detective who directly witnessed the First Lady assassination attempt, once again embodies a person living in that era, instantly drawing the audience into that time. Lee Min-ho, transformed into a rookie reporter, confidently portrays the growth of a character brimming with passion and spirit, revealing a new side of himself.And undoubtedly, the highlight is Park Hae-il, who plays Jae-hwan, the head of the social affairs department at a newspaper. Possessing both gentle yet heavy charisma and human warmth, he conveys the character's sharp judgment and unwavering conviction through a firm voice and gaze. In particular, he remains the solid central pillar of the film, maintaining his characteristic understated tone during the scene depicting the Declaration of Press Freedom, which is the most intense moment of the work.Park Hoon, Kim Dae-myung, Ryu Hye-young, Jang Ryul, Jung Woo-sung, Shim Eun-kyung, Shin Hyun-bin, Yoo Yeon-seok, Park Hae-joon, and others continuously appear, boasting a dazzling cast lineup. While the actors themselves offer a diverse visual spectacle, this choice sometimes leads to the actors' presence overshadowing the characters, which is expected to be a point of contention for viewers.Adding to this, actors like Bae Seong-woo, Oh Dal-su, and Uhm Tae-woong, who have drawn public criticism for their respective controversies, make a significant appearance, making one momentarily question their eyes. This not only hinders immersion in the film but also leaves one with the lingering question of "Was this necessary?", adding a spoonful of discomfort to a well-made movie.Therefore, despite the lingering 2% of dissatisfaction, it is a sufficiently captivating mystery thriller. Depending on how one remembers the assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo in 1974, or whether one experienced it directly or belongs to a generation that is not well-acquainted with it, the reception of the film will inevitably vary. As such, it is worth anticipating a scene where audiences, after watching the movie and leaving the theater, search for the actual incident again and share stories based on their different memories and perspectives.While receiving the film in different ways across generations, "Assassination(s)" seems to be an interesting choice for the Chuseok holiday movie season, as it allows for discussion around a single work. It is rated for ages 12 and above and has a running time of 130 minutes.[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr