The Assassin(s) will no longer attend its scheduled events at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival. Hive Media Corp., the film’s production company, announced on October 2 that it had canceled the planned appearances after reviewing the situation surrounding the film and considering the safety of audiences and attendees.
The canceled schedule included the festival’s opening ceremony and an outdoor stage greeting planned for October 7. Director Hur Jin Ho and actors Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae Il, and Lee Min Ho had originally been expected to attend the outdoor event. The production company apologized to audiences who had been anticipating the appearances and asked for their understanding.
The decision follows controversy surrounding allegations of historical distortion connected to certain elements of the film. The Assassin(s), which was released on September 23, examines the investigation into the forces behind the 1974 assassination attempt that shocked South Korea. Lee Min Ho’s Actors House event at the festival, also scheduled for October 7, was canceled amid the same controversy.
With those changes, all official Busan International Film Festival events connected to The Assassin(s) have now been called off. The 31st festival is scheduled to begin on October 6 and continue through October 15, while the film’s canceled appearances remove its planned public participation from the program. Hive Media Corp. said the decision was intended to help ensure safety and allow the festival to proceed smoothly.