Yoo Hae-jin's agency vows “all possible measures” over threats, defamation
In short
Actor Yoo Hae-jin's agency VAST Entertainment said on Oct. 5 it will take “all possible measures” over slander, false information, privacy invasion and threats to his safety, after criticism of the film “Assassin(s)” turned against the actor personally. On Oct. 4 a conservative group protested outside his home in Seoul's Seongbuk-gu demanding a halt to screenings and an apology, while online posts urged boycotts of products he endorses. The film, released Sept. 23, deals with the 1974 shooting of first lady Yuk Young-soo and has drawn historical-distortion criticism, which the production company denies.
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Actor Yoo Hae-jin's agency VAST Entertainment said on Oct. 5 that it takes false information, malicious personal attacks, invasion of privacy, threats to his safety and defamation “very seriously,” and that it will take all possible measures to protect him. In a statement posted to its official social media accounts, the agency said it had confirmed that slander and false information about Yoo were spreading unchecked on online communities and social media, and that it was continuing to collect related posts and material. The agency said it would keep monitoring and respond to confirmed cases. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]
The statement followed actions aimed at the actor himself. On Oct. 4, members of a conservative group held a rally in front of Yoo's home in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, demanding that screenings be stopped and that the production team and cast apologise, according to Yonhap and Kyunghyang Shinmun. Kyunghyang Shinmun said the participants included the far-right group New Freedom Union and conservative YouTubers, while Hankook Ilbo referred only to a conservative group. Online, Yonhap reported, posts called for boycotts of products Yoo endorses — including a fast-food item — and for deleting related apps, and protest comments were left on his commercials. [ 7 , 11 , 13 ]
The dispute centres on “Assassin(s),” released on Sept. 23, which deals with the Aug. 15, 1974 shooting of first lady Yuk Young-soo. Maeil Business reported that the film was directed by Hur Jin-ho, stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho and was produced by Hive Media Corp. Some politicians and audience members say its characters and dramatic settings suggest possible involvement by the era's power agencies and distort history. The production company responded that the film is a fictional work based on records of the events, that it “does not define any specific person as being behind the incident” and does not present its hypotheses as historical fact, according to Maeil Business. Seoul Economic Daily noted that the official investigation concluded that Moon Se-kwang, a Korean resident of Japan, fired at then-President Park Chung-hee and that Yuk Young-soo was killed. [ 3 , 5 , 9 , 13 ]
Political figures have also weighed in. CBS NoCut News reported that ruling People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo had commented on a post criticising Yoo Hae-jin. Film organisations responded with a statement: 19 groups participating in Film People's Solidarity, including the Korean Film Producers Association and the Korean Film Directors Guild, said debate over works dealing with historical events is legitimate and that the bereaved family's pain should be respected, but that criticism of a work must be distinguished from pressure on individuals, whose lives and safety should not be threatened for taking part, Seoul Economic Daily reported. The same outlet reported that the conservative group Hoguk Yeonhap Bangpaedan held a rally in front of Hive Media Corp's building on Oct. 5 calling for an apology, and that some media criticised the agency for announcing legal action instead of an apology. Maeil Business reported that the film side cancelled some official events, including stage greetings at the Busan International Film Festival, out of concern for the safety of actors and audiences. [ 3 , 9 , 13 , 14 ]
Commercially, the film has performed strongly. CBS NoCut News, citing the Korean Film Council's integrated ticket network, reported that “Assassin(s)” ranked first in the weekly box office from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 and had drawn 2,233,953 admissions cumulatively as of 7 a.m. on Oct. 5, an increase of more than 121 percent from the previous day. [ 9 ]
Why it matters
The dispute has moved from criticism of a film to pressure on an individual, prompting 19 film organisations grouped in Film People's Solidarity to warn that criticism of a work and attacks on the people who made it must be kept separate. The controversy also pulls a commercially successful film — the weekly box-office leader — into a political fight, with a ruling-party lawmaker among those who commented publicly. The agency's promised legal action is the first concrete response from the film's cast side to the campaign aimed at them.
Key facts
- VAST Entertainment said on Oct. 5 it takes defamation, false information, malicious personal attacks, privacy invasion and threats to Yoo Hae-jin's safety seriously and will take all possible measures to protect him. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]
- The agency said it is collecting related posts and materials and will keep monitoring and responding to confirmed cases. [ 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]
- On Oct. 4 a conservative group held a protest in front of Yoo Hae-jin's home in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, demanding a halt to screenings and an apology from the production team and cast. [ 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]
- Online posts called for boycotts of products Yoo endorses, including a fast-food item, and for deleting related apps, and protest comments were posted on his commercials. [ 7 , 11 , 13 ]
- “Assassin(s)” was released on Sept. 23 and deals with the Aug. 15, 1974 shooting of first lady Yuk Young-soo; it has drawn criticism that it distorts history. [ 5 , 9 , 13 ]
- The production company said the film neither designates a specific person as being behind the incident nor presents its hypotheses and dramatic settings as historical fact. [ 3 , 9 ]
- Nineteen film organisations grouped in Film People's Solidarity said debate about a work is legitimate but that criticism of a work must be distinguished from pressure on individuals. [ 13 ]
- “Assassin(s)” topped the weekly box office from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, with 2,233,953 cumulative admissions as of 7 a.m. on Oct. 5, up more than 121 percent from the previous day. [ 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- VAST Entertainment said on Oct. 5 that it regards false information, malicious personal attacks, invasion of privacy, threats to Yoo Hae-jin's safety and defamation as serious and will take all possible measures to protect him. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 ]
- The agency said it is collecting related posts and materials and will continue monitoring and respond to confirmed cases. [ 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]
- On Oct. 4 a conservative group held a protest in front of Yoo Hae-jin's home in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, calling for a halt to screenings and an apology from the production team and cast. [ 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 ]
- Online posts called for boycotts of products Yoo endorses, including a fast-food item, and for deleting related apps, and protest comments were posted on his advertisements. [ 7 , 11 , 13 ]
- “Assassin(s)” was released on Sept. 23 and deals with the Aug. 15, 1974 shooting of first lady Yuk Young-soo; it has drawn criticism that it distorts history. [ 5 , 9 , 13 ]
- The production company said the film does not designate any specific person as being behind the incident and does not present its hypotheses and dramatic settings as historical fact. [ 3 , 9 ]
Still unclear
- What specific legal steps VAST Entertainment will take, including whether it will file a complaint. Seoul Economic Daily reported that the agency did not disclose the details of its response; the other documents describe only a general pledge to take “all possible measures.”
- An Oct. 5 rally in front of production company Hive Media Corp's building. Only Seoul Economic Daily reports this protest and the demand described there is not corroborated by any other document.
- Any police or prosecution involvement in the case. No document says an investigation has been opened; the reports cover only the agency's statement and the demonstrations.
- Whether the criticism of the agency for announcing legal action instead of an apology reflects a wider view. Seoul Economic Daily says some media made this point, without naming them, and no other document mentions such criticism.
- Who exactly organised and attended the Oct. 4 protest. Documents describe the participants differently: Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily refer to members of a conservative group and New Freedom Union, Kyunghyang Shinmun adds conservative YouTubers, and Hankook Ilbo says only a conservative group.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Kukmin Ilbo reports that Yoo Hae-jin's side will respond strictly to privacy invasion and threats to his safety. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo carries the agency's statement that it will take every measure over threats and defamation. [ 2 ]
- Maeil Business reports the agency statement along with the Oct. 4 protest at Yoo's home and the cancellation of some official film events. [ 3 ]
- Yonhap reports in detail on boycott calls against products Yoo endorses and the protest outside his home. [ 7 ]
- CBS NoCut News adds weekly box-office figures and a ruling-party lawmaker's comment on a post criticising Yoo. [ 9 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports a further rally outside Hive Media Corp's building and a statement by 19 film organisations. [ 13 ]
- Asia Economy reports that the agency says it is taking legal action over slander and threats. [ 16 ]