"Assassins," a film that became the subject of political controversy, has surpassed 3 million cumulative admissions and is sustaining a long box-office run. With its drawing power strengthening even in the third week after release, it has entered the top five among Korean films released this year.
The film passed 3 million cumulative admissions on the 12th, its 20th day in theaters, according to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing computer network. After taking the top spot among Korean films a day earlier, it has led the overall box office for a total of 15 days since opening, demonstrating its commercial strength.
Attendance gains in the third week were especially notable. The film drew 758,587 viewers from the 5th through the 11th, ranking first on the weekly overall box office. That is roughly 90,000 more than the 667,698 admissions in its second week. The fact that its drawing power has grown as time passed since release has focused attention on how its run will develop.
Viewer assessments are also trending higher. Its verified-viewer rating on NAVER rose to 8.8 from 8.0, and CGV's Golden Egg index showed a similar upward trend. As favorable reviews spread by word of mouth, expectations are growing for additional moviegoers.
Viewers cited the cast's performances, the direction and a tightly constructed story as the film's strengths. Comments on CGV included "the best film I've seen this year" and "immersion created by the actors' performances and the directing." Lotte Cinema viewers responded with remarks such as "it kept the tension and was entertaining to the end" and "the most well-structured and enjoyable film I've seen recently." Some also said they intended to see it again.
"Assassins" traces the suspicions and alleged masterminds behind the shooting of the first lady on Aug. 15, 1974. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, it stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho. Attention is turning to how far the film can extend its run on the strength of favorable reviews after passing 3 million admissions.
Earlier, Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party and others escalated their criticism, arguing that the film "distorted history" while also describing actor Yoo Hae-jin's appearance as having a "North Korean look." All of the party's lawmakers subsequently sent a letter to the Singapore International Film Festival asking it to withdraw the film's selection as the opening feature. A day after receiving the letter, however, the festival said in an official statement that there would be "no withdrawal of the opening film."