Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho star in 1974 assassination thriller

Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho track the truth behind the 1974 First Lady assassination attempt that shook Korea. The film 'The Assassin(s)', directed by Hur Jin-ho, has released eight character stills through distributor Hive Media Corp., signaling its release during the Chuseok holiday season.

The stills released on the 5th capture the three individuals as they approach the reality of the incident. Inspector Cheolgu (Yoo Hae Jin) of the Central Police Station shows the exhaustion of the investigation with a face covered in sweat and wounds. He is a character who, after witnessing the Liberation Day memorial ceremony, captures circumstances that contradict the government's announcement and relentlessly digs for the truth. Following his success in the first half of this year with 'The King's Warden', which led the 2026 box office, Yoo previously won the Grand Prize in the film category at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards.

Where the prosecution, media, and the eyes on the scene meet

To uncover the mastermind behind the incident, the three individuals in different positions begin to cooperate. Jaehwan (Park Hae-il), a social affairs editor, pursues the truth even in a situation where censorship and external pressure exist. In the stills, Jaehwan shows sharp judgment, such as agonizing in front of a newspaper desk or casting a determined gaze among numerous reporters. Park has expanded his spectrum through 'Memories of Murder', 'Monster', and 'War of the Arrows', to playing Yi Sun-sin in 'Hansan: Furious Sea' and detective Jang Hae-jun in 'Decision to Leave'. In this work, he portrays a principled journalist.

Rookie reporter Youngil (Lee Min-ho) is a newcomer who jumps into a whirlwind of suspicion after witnessing the assassination attempt and innocent victims most closely. Lee, who led the Hallyu (Korean Wave) with 'Boys Over Flowers', 'City Hunter', 'The Heirs', and 'The King: Eternal Monarch', made his film lead debut with 'Gangnam Blues', won a Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor, and recently appeared in Apple TV+'s 'Pachinko'. In the released photos, Youngil retraces clues with a loosened tie. They show solidarity at the newspaper office with Manseop (Kim Dae-myung) and Yun-hui (Ryu Hye-young) to record the truth against external pressure.

August 15, 1974: The intersection of records and imagination

The film begins from an actual historical event that occurred on August 15, 1974. It is a mystery pursuit drama that follows the suspicions and the mastermind behind the First Lady assassination attempt that shook Korea at the time. By adding cinematic imagination to the remaining records and questions, the shocking event of modern history is brought to the screen.

The stills capture a scene where Cheolgu spreads out the crime scene layout and materials with Hyundo (Park Ji-hwan) to piece together clues. The moment where Jaehwan and an agent (Park Hoon) face off tensely represents the confrontation surrounding the truth. The final still shows an unidentified figure staring at the stage of the celebration ceremony. This work, starring Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, will be released around the Chuseok holiday period leading up to September 25.

Helpers and adversaries on the scene

Cheolgu spreads out the crime scene layout and materials with Hyundo (Park Ji-hwan) to piece together clues. Jaehwan shows a tense confrontation with an agent (Park Hoon) regarding the truth. At the newspaper office, Manseop (Kim Dae-myung) and Yun-hui (Ryu Hye-young) gather to form a solidarity of journalists with Jaehwan and Youngil to record the truth against external pressure.