Naver’s ‘The Assassin’ controversy escalates as platform reports surge in automated abuse, protesters escalate attacks on lead actor

SOUTH KOREA, BUSAN, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —

South Korea’s ‘The Assassin(s)’ Film Sparks Online Abuse Probe, Offline Protests as Box Office Surges Despite Backlash

The film, which dramatizes the 1974 assassination attempt on late President Park Chung-hee—an event that killed his wife, First Lady Yuk Young-soo—has ignited a political firestorm, with critics accusing it of rewriting history and insulting the late first lady’s family.

The dispute underscores deep divisions in South Korea over historical narratives, particularly those involving Park Chung-hee’s authoritarian rule and the lingering influence of his legacy. While the official investigation into the assassination concluded that North Korea orchestrated the attack, The Assassin(s) introduces fictional investigators who speculate about possible domestic complicity, a premise that has drawn fierce backlash from conservative factions.

The film’s production team has repeatedly stressed that the movie is a work of fiction and does not aim to revise historical conclusions, but the controversy has already forced adjustments to its promotional activities, with stars Yoo and Lee Min-ho canceling appearances amid safety concerns.

Naver’s intervention came after the platform detected "mechanical abuse" in the system that allows users to react to reviews, suggesting coordinated efforts to manipulate visibility. The company did not attribute the activity to any specific group or confirm political motivations but noted abnormal traffic patterns across multiple films.

In response, Naver temporarily altered the default review sorting for The Assassin(s) from "most-liked" to "most-recent," a move aimed at countering accusations that negative reviews were being artificially inflated. The platform also referred the case to police, though no arrests or further details have been disclosed.

The protest outside Yoo Hae-jin’s residence, attended by around 50 people according to local media estimates, marked the first physical confrontation tied to the film’s controversy. Conservative groups, including the Korea National Association of Victims of Communism, demanded the film’s immediate withdrawal from theaters and public apologies from its producers and cast.

Their rallying cry—"Stop the distortion of history!"—reflects broader unease among right-wing factions over what they perceive as an erosion of Park Chung-hee’s legacy, a figure still revered by many for his role in South Korea’s rapid industrialization despite his authoritarian policies.

The backlash has already disrupted the film’s promotional schedule. Yoo and co-star Lee Min-ho canceled planned appearances at the Busan International Film Festival, while other events were scrapped over concerns for their safety. Despite the controversy, The Assassin(s) has defied expectations, surpassing 2 million admissions by its 11th day in theaters, according to the Korean Film Council. The box office success suggests that public interest remains strong, even as political and social tensions mount.

For Malaysia’s regional audience, the film’s controversy offers a lens into South Korea’s complex relationship with its past, particularly how historical narratives are contested and weaponized in contemporary politics. The incident also highlights the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping public discourse, where automated abuse and coordinated campaigns can distort perceptions of cultural works.

As the debate intensifies, the film’s producers and distributors face a delicate balancing act: whether to double down on creative freedom or capitulate to political pressure to avoid further backlash.

The next phase of the controversy will likely hinge on police action following Naver’s referral, as well as the broader public and political response to the protests. With no signs of the debate subsiding, The Assassin(s) has become more than just a film—it is now a flashpoint in South Korea’s ongoing struggle to reconcile its history with its present.

Related: Naver