The controversy began after the film's trailer was released, with critics accusing it of portraying Chun too sympathetically and failing to adequately reflect the suffering under his authoritarian rule.
YOO Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho in the South Korean political crime thriller film 'The Assassin(s)' directed by Hur Jin-ho.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SIFF
A new Korean historical film has sparked heated debate even before its release.
The Assassins tells the story of former South Korean military ruler Chun Doo-hwan, whose rise to power followed the 1979 assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Chun later led the violent crackdown on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, where hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed.
The controversy began after the film's trailer was released, with critics accusing it of portraying Chun too sympathetically and failing to adequately reflect the suffering under his authoritarian rule. Victims' families and civic groups have voiced concerns that the film could distort public memory of one of South Korea's darkest chapters.
The filmmakers have denied glorifying the former dictator, saying the movie aims to explore the political events surrounding his rise to power rather than celebrate him.
The debate has reignited discussions in South Korea over how history should be portrayed on screen and whether films about controversial figures should prioritize artistic interpretation or historical responsibility.
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