Acclaimed director Hur Jin-ho's upcoming political thriller "Assassins" has assembled an impressive cast featuring three of South Korea's most celebrated actors: Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho. The highly anticipated film dramatizes the shocking attempted assassination of President Park Chung-hee on August 15, 1974, marking one of the most turbulent and significant days in modern Korean history through an intense, suspense-driven narrative.
The film is being produced by Hive Media Corp., the powerhouse studio responsible for numerous acclaimed hits including "Yadang: The Snitch," "12.12: The Day," "The Man Standing Next," and "Inside Men." With such a strong production pedigree behind it, "Assassins" is already generating substantial anticipation among audiences and industry insiders ahead of its planned 2026 release.
Yoo Hae-jin, widely regarded as one of Korea's most versatile and beloved actors, takes on the role of a police inspector who witnesses the fateful assassination attempt firsthand. The actor brings an impressive resume to the project, having starred in four films that each attracted over 10 million viewers, including recent blockbusters "Exhuma," "A Taxi Driver," "Veteran," and "The King and the Clown." His character is described as possessing sharp intuition and dogged determination, qualities that are expected to bring significant depth and intensity to the film's investigation storyline.
Park Hae-il, who has previously collaborated with director Hur Jin-ho on "The Last Princess," plays a newspaper editor who relentlessly pursues the unanswered questions surrounding the assassination case despite facing mounting pressure and increasing danger. Park has built a reputation for delivering critically acclaimed performances in recent films such as "Decision to Leave," "Hansan: Rising Dragon," and "The Fortress," making him a natural fit for this politically charged thriller.
Completing the star trio is Lee Min-ho, who takes on the role of an ambitious rookie reporter who becomes an eyewitness to the dramatic incident. Lee, known globally for his work in "Omniscient Reader," "The King: Eternal Monarch," and "The Legend of the Blue Sea," has recently undergone a significant acting transformation with his acclaimed performance in the television series "Pachinko." His casting adds both considerable star power and fresh energy to the ensemble cast.
The film's creative team is equally impressive, featuring a lineup of industry veterans who have proven their expertise on previous successful projects. Director Hur Jin-ho, celebrated throughout his career for his delicate and nuanced storytelling across multiple genres, leads the project with his distinctive vision. He is joined by cinematographer Lee Mo-gae and lighting director Lee Sung-hwan, both of whom have previously collaborated on visually stunning and critically successful films including "Exhuma," "12.12: The Day," and "Emergency Declaration."
Currently in active production, "Assassins" is positioning itself to become one of the most anticipated Korean thrillers in recent memory. The film promises to blend authentic historical events with cinematic realism, supported by a stellar lineup of talent both in front of and behind the camera, creating what industry observers expect to be a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of a pivotal moment in Korean history.
