Why are conservative groups protesting Yoo Hae-jin and The Assassin(s)?

Conservative groups say The Assassin(s) allegedly implies that Park Chung-hee was involved in the death of his wife, first lady Yuk Young-soo, rather than portraying Moon Se-kwang as responsible for the 1974 shooting. They have demanded that the film be withdrawn and that Yoo, his co-stars and the production crew apologize.

What impact has the film controversy had on Yoo Hae-jin’s commercial activities?

A civic group urged companies to cancel their advertising contracts with Yoo, and protesters demonstrated outside Burger King’s headquarters. Burger King later confirmed that it had terminated its short-term contract with Yoo, while saying the decision was unrelated to the controversy.

Actor Yoo Hae-jin put under police protection amid threats over film controversy

Q: What police protection measures were provided to actor Yoo Hae-jin?

Seoul Seongbuk Police Station provided Yoo Hae-jin with a smartwatch, registered him on the emergency 112 system and increased patrols around his residence. The measures did not include assigning a dedicated police officer.

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Summary

Actor Yoo Hae-jin was placed under police protection in Seoul on Tuesday amid escalating threats linked to backlash over his film The Assassin(s). Seoul Seongbuk Police Station gave him a smartwatch, registered him on the emergency 112 system and increased patrols near his residence, without assigning a dedicated officer. Conservative groups accuse the film of historical distortion and have protested outside Yoo’s home and at businesses connected to him.

Key Facts

The police measures followed criticism of the film’s depiction of the 1974 assassination of first lady Yuk Young-su, wife of former President Park Chung-hee.
Conservative groups argue the movie implies Park was involved in his wife’s death instead of identifying Moon Se-kwang as responsible for the shooting.
Burger King said Tuesday it had ended Yoo’s short-term advertising contract, while stating the decision was unrelated to the film controversy.
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Ko Beom-seok said authorities would take stern action against threats targeting Yoo.
Protesters also gathered outside Hive Media Corp. and urged the production company to apologize to the public and Park’s bereaved family members.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 6, 2026 10:41 pm KST

Actor Yoo Hae-jin pose during a red carpet event at the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, Sept. 3, 2026. Yonhap

Police said Tuesday they have placed actor Yoo Hae-jin under protection following escalating threats over a film he starred in that has drawn intense backlash over alleged historical distortion.

Seoul Seongbuk Police Station has provided Yoo with a smartwatch and registered him on the emergency 112 system, while stepping up patrol around his residence, officials said. The measures, however, do not include assigning a dedicated officer to the actor.

A police official said protective measures can be taken if there are reasons to anticipate potential harm.

Yoo has faced criticism from conservatives over his role in "The Assassin(s)," a movie depicting the 1974 assassination of then first lady Yuk Young-su, wife of late former President Park Chung-hee.

Conservative groups are strongly criticizing the movie for allegedly implying Park's involvement in his wife's death, rather than the assassin, Moon Se-kwang, who was held accountable for the shooting.

Conservative civic groups have staged protests outside Yoo's home in northern Seoul, demanding the movie be pulled from theaters and calling for an apology from the actor, his co-stars and the production crew.

Protesters also demonstrated in front of the Burger King headquarters in central Seoul later in the day. Yoo had recently featured in advertisements for the franchise, but the company confirmed Tuesday it had terminated its short-term contract with the actor, saying it was unrelated to the film controversy.

Ko Beom-seok, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said the police will take stern action against threats targeting Yoo.

Ko's remarks followed Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young's call for the police to enhance safety measures for those involved in the film and take stern measures.

Earlier Tuesday, a civic group staged a rally in central Seoul, urging local companies to cancel their advertising contracts with Yoo. Another group of protesters gathered outside Hive Media Corp. to urge the production company to apologize to the public and Park's bereaved family members over the film's content.

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