The film Assassins, starring Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, has confirmed its theatrical release for the 2026 Chuseok holiday and unveiled two launch posters.
Assassins follows the investigation into the suspicions and hidden forces behind the assassination attempt on the First Lady, an event that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974.
Based on the First Lady assassination attempt that was broadcast live nationwide on Liberation Day in 1974, Assassins is a mystery thriller that blends cinematic imagination with remaining records and lingering questions that remain unsolved to this day. It is drawing significant attention as the first film to depict this real-life event, which is considered one of the most shocking moments in modern Korean history, yet has never been covered on screen before.
Director Hur Jin-ho, who has delicately explored characters and events across various eras and genres in films such as The Last Princess, Forbidden Dream, and Christmas in August, is set to captivate audiences once again with this intense narrative. The film is expected to maximize immersion through the perfect acting ensemble of Korea's leading actors: Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho.
Yoo Hai-jin, a star of five films that have surpassed 10 million admissions—including The King's Warden, which captivated theaters in the first half of 2026—continues his unstoppable momentum in the second half of the year with Assassins. Playing the role of Cheol-gu, a detective who was in charge of security at the scene, he anchors the film as he follows his instincts to uncover the truth behind the incident, growing suspicious of the investigation headquarters' official announcement which contradicts what he witnessed.
Park Hae-il, who has dominated the screen with his unique presence in every project, takes on the role of Jae-hwan, a social affairs editor at a newspaper. In this film, he will showcase the persona of a veteran journalist who approaches the truth of the case despite intense pressure, driven by professional duty and keen insight.
Lee Min-ho, who remains at the center of K-content with his unrivaled charm, plays Young-il, a rookie reporter who covered the scene of the incident. Packed with the ambition and tenacious investigative spirit of a newcomer, Young-il is a character who boldly dives into danger to find the truth, raising expectations for the new acting transformation Lee Min-ho will display.
The two launch posters released alongside the Chuseok release confirmation feature the striking copy, "August 15, 1974, First Lady Assassination Attempt." Furthermore, the black-and-white scene visible beyond a firm hand holding a pistol evokes a sense of hair-trigger tension. The meaning of the parentheses in the film's title, "Assassins (s)," is also worth noting. It appears that the meaning of these brackets will be revealed once the film is viewed.
Assassins is scheduled for release during the 2026 Chuseok holiday.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.