The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has officially rejected a demand from 109 South Korean lawmakers to withdraw its opening film, “The Assassin(s),” from the upcoming event. In an official statement on October 7, 2026, festival organizers confirmed they will proceed with the screening, prioritizing artistic autonomy over political pressure.
The controversy centers on the South Korean People Power Party, whose entire roster of 109 lawmakers signed a formal letter to SGIFF Executive Director Jeremy Chua. The group requested the film’s immediate removal, citing concerns over historical “distortion.” The festival maintained that the selection was based strictly on artistic merit and characterized the project as a work of “cinematic imagination” rather than a political tool.
Directed as a fictionalized historical thriller, “The Assassin(s)” explores the 1974 assassination of South Korean First Lady Yuk Young-soo. While official government records attribute the killing to a North Korean agent, the film suggests a narrative involving internal government complicity. This creative interpretation has sparked intense backlash from conservative factions in South Korea, who argue the depiction undermines historical facts.
The political tension has transitioned into real-world safety concerns for the film’s cast and crew. Lead actor Yoo Hae-jin was recently placed under police protection and issued a safety smartwatch after conservative groups staged protests outside his private residence in Seoul. These security risks previously led the production team to cancel scheduled appearances at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in early October.
Despite the coordinated opposition from the People Power Party, the film has received support from other government sectors. South Korean Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young publicly defended the production’s right to exist, balancing his own party’s objections with a defense of creative expression. The film features lead actor Yoo Hae-jin.
SGIFF leadership remains firm that the festival serves as a platform for diverse cinematic voices. By keeping “The Assassin(s)” as the opening night feature, the festival organizers emphasized that the film does not claim to be a factual historical record but is instead an exploration of “what if” scenarios within a historical framework.
