The Assassin(s) Returns to the Top of the Korean Box Office in Its Fifth Weekend

Hur Jin-ho's political thriller continues its remarkable theatrical run, proving that strong word of mouth can outweigh controversy.

By KFRAMED · · 4 min read · Movies, Industry, Actors, Directors

More than a month after its theatrical release, Hur Jin-ho's political thriller The Assassin(s) has reclaimed the No. 1 position at the South Korean box office, an uncommon achievement for a film entering its fifth weekend in cinemas. The comeback underlines the film's staying power and the continued interest of Korean audiences despite weeks of public controversy surrounding its historical subject matter.

According to the latest box office figures, The Assassin(s) has now attracted more than 3.3 million admissions, making it one of the highest-grossing Korean films still in release this year.

Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho

A Rare Box Office Comeback

Returning to the top spot several weeks after release is relatively uncommon in the Korean market, where new releases typically dominate weekend rankings.

In the weeks following its September debut, The Assassin(s) briefly lost first place to competing titles before steadily climbing back through sustained audience interest. Even when showing on fewer screens than some rivals, the film maintained one of the strongest occupancy rates among titles in release, demonstrating exceptionally positive word of mouth.

A Film at the Centre of Public Debate

Part of the film's visibility has been fuelled by the intense debate surrounding its portrayal of the 1974 assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo.

Some conservative politicians and civic groups accused the film of historical distortion, arguing that its interpretation of the events unfairly implicates the Park Chung-hee administration. The controversy led to calls for parliamentary scrutiny, protests against members of the cast and even requests for the film to be withdrawn from overseas festival screenings.

Yet rather than discouraging audiences, the public debate appears to have had the opposite effect.

Many moviegoers expressed a desire to watch the film and form their own opinion, contributing to its strong theatrical performance throughout October.

Official Trailer – The Assassin(s)

Looking Ahead

As the Korean box office enters its late-autumn release season, The Assassin(s) faces increasing competition from new domestic and international titles.

Nevertheless, reclaiming the top spot in its fifth weekend demonstrates that the film has evolved beyond an opening-week curiosity. Whether driven by critical acclaim, public debate or positive audience recommendations, The Assassin(s) has established itself as one of the defining Korean theatrical successes of 2026.

Films in this article

People

Read next