Controversy and box office success rarely travel together, but they have this week. “The Assassin(s)”, the new Korean film starring Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae Il and Lee Min Ho, has just crossed 2 million moviegoers in South Korea, even as it faces criticism over allegations of distorting history.
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Box Office Milestone
According to the Korean Film Council, the film had recorded 2,045,495 moviegoers as of October 3. It opened on September 23, which means it needed only 11 days to pass the 2 million mark. For a film at the centre of public debate, that is a strong run, and it suggests curiosity is driving audiences to theatres.

The Assassin(s) : Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film | The Assassin(s) |
| Lead cast | Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae Il, Lee Min Ho |
| Release date | September 23, 2026 |
| Total admissions | 2,045,495 (as of October 3) |
| Time to 2 million | 11 days |
| Data source | Korean Film Council |
| Controversy | Allegations of distorting history |
| Festival status | Cast and crew withdrew from all Busan International Film Festival events |
The Busan Festival Withdrawal
The milestone comes just days after the film’s cast and crew pulled out of every scheduled event at the Busan International Film Festival. The decision followed the backlash over claims that the movie distorts history. These are allegations raised against the film, and this report does not take a side on them. Neither the withdrawal nor the controversy has slowed ticket sales so far.
What Happens Next?
The next few weekends will show whether the film keeps its momentum. Box office watchers will be looking at how steeply admissions fall after the opening stretch and whether the public debate adds to or subtracts from word of mouth. With three well-known leads on the poster, the film also has star power on its side. To learn how admissions are tracked in Korea, read about the Korean Film Council on Wikipedia.
For more updates, visit Technosports and see our latest K-drama and film news for the next box office update.
FAQs
Q1. How many moviegoers has The Assassin(s) recorded?
It has recorded 2,045,495 moviegoers as of October 3, per the Korean Film Council.
Q2. Why did the cast skip the Busan International Film Festival?
They withdrew from all events after the film was accused of distorting history.





