Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Lee Min Ho BIFF Talk Cancelled Amid Assassin(s) Backlash
Lee Min Ho was supposed to speak at a film festival in South Korea.
His talk was cancelled before it happened.
The festival said there were unforeseen circumstances.
The cancellation came while a movie called The Assassin(s) was facing strong criticism.
The movie shows a disputed version of the 1974 killing of Yuk Yung Soo.
Some conservatives say the movie wrongly suggests that South Korean authorities were involved.
Other actors and film groups have defended the creators against harsh personal attacks.
Lee Min Ho’s agency apologised to people who expected to see him.
Lee Min Ho’s October 7 Actors’ House session at the Busan International Film Festival was cancelled.
BIFF cited “unforeseen circumstances,” while Lee’s agency confirmed he would not attend and apologised to audiences.
The Assassin(s) has drawn criticism over its depiction of the 1974 assassination of First Lady Yuk Yung Soo.
Conservatives and People Power Party figures say the film suggests state involvement, contradicting official records linking the killing to Mun Se-gwang.
Protests, boycott campaigns and online attacks have targeted the film, its cast and related promotional activities.
- Who
- Lee Min Ho, the Busan International Film Festival, the film’s creators and critics including conservative groups and People Power Party figures.
- What
- Lee Min Ho’s Actors’ House talk was cancelled amid backlash against The Assassin(s).
- When
- The session was scheduled for October 7; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The cancelled event was part of the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.
- Why
- BIFF cited unforeseen circumstances, while the cancellation occurred amid controversy over The Assassin(s) and campaigns targeting its cast and promotions.
Film Defenders and Industry Groups
Conservative Critics and Opponents
Historical portrayal
Film Defenders and Industry Groups
The film and its supporters present a dramatic interpretation of the assassination, while actresses including Lee Young Ae and Kim Go Eun left positive reviews after a VIP screening.
Conservative Critics and Opponents
Conservatives, People Power Party figures and the Park Chung-hee Presidential Memorial Foundation argue that the film falsely implies former President Park Chung Hee or state agencies were involved.
Public response
Film Defenders and Industry Groups
The Korean Film Producers Association has pushed back against excessive attacks on creators and personal commentary targeting the cast.
Conservative Critics and Opponents
Conservative civic groups planned protests, and boycott campaigns targeted brands and promotional events linked to the cast.
Legal concerns
Film Defenders and Industry Groups
The article reports criticism and industry concern but does not establish that the accusations against the film were proven.
Conservative Critics and Opponents
A former People Power Party city councillor reportedly filed a police complaint against director Hur Jin Ho and the producers, alleging defamation.
- Cancelled event
- Lee Min Ho’s appearance in BIFF’s Actors’ House programme
- Scheduled date
- October 7
- Festival
- Busan International Film Festival
- Film at issue
- The Assassin(s)
- Historical event depicted
- The August 15, 1974 assassination of First Lady Yuk Yung Soo
- Festival explanation
- BIFF cited unforeseen circumstances
- Agency response
- MYM Entertainment confirmed Lee Min Ho would not attend and apologised to audiences