‘Assassins’ unites Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, Lee Min-ho in tense political thriller
From left, actors Park Hae-il, Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho, and director Hur Jin-ho. Courtesy of Hive Media Corp
Veteran director Hur Jin-ho’s upcoming film, “Assassins,” has unveiled a powerhouse cast featuring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho.
The film dramatizes the shocking attempted assassination of President Park Chung-hee on Aug. 15, 1974 — one of the most turbulent days in modern Korean history — through an intense, suspense-driven narrative.
Produced by Hive Media Corp., the studio behind acclaimed hits such as “Yadang: The Snitch,” “12.12: The Day,” “The Man Standing Next” and “Inside Men,” the film is already generating strong anticipation ahead of its 2026 release.
Yoo, one of Korea’s most versatile and beloved actors with four “10 million viewer films” to his name — including “Exhuma,” “A Taxi Driver,” “Veteran” and “The King and the Clown” — plays a police inspector who witnesses the fateful incident firsthand.
Known for his sharp intuition and dogged determination, his character is expected to bring depth and intensity to the film’s investigation.
Park, who previously worked with Hur in “The Last Princess” and delivered acclaimed performances in “Decision to Leave,” “Hansan: Rising Dragon” and “The Fortress,” takes on the role of a newspaper editor who relentlessly digs into the unanswered questions surrounding the case despite mounting pressure and danger.
Lee, whose recent turn in the “Pachinko” TV series marked a major acting transformation, plays an ambitious rookie reporter who witnesses the scene of the incident.
Known globally for “Omniscient Reader,” “The King: Eternal Monarch” and “The Legend of the Blue Sea,” Lee’s casting adds both star power and fresh energy to the ensemble.
The film’s creative lineup is equally impressive. Hur, celebrated for his delicate storytelling across genres, directs the project, joined by cinematographer Lee Mo-gae and lighting director Lee Sung-hwan — both of whom worked together on “Exhuma,” “12.12: The Day” and “Emergency Declaration.”
Currently in production, “Assassins” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Korean thrillers, blending real historical events, cinematic realism and a stellar lineup of talent both in front of and behind the camera.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.