“Did You See It?” is a review column where we watch trending movies firsthand and share honest impressions and key highlights. <Editor’s Note>
[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] “Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! … Bang! Bang!”
August 15, 1974: The 29th Liberation Day Celebration. An assassination attempt on the First Lady occurs during a live broadcast watched by the entire nation. Suspect Moon Tae-gwang (Park Jung-min) is arrested at the scene, and the case appears to be quickly closed. However, Central Police Station Inspector Park Cheol-gu (Yoo Hae-jin), rookie reporter Han Young-il (Lee Min-ho), and Dongseong Ilbo’s Social Affairs Editor Kim Jae-hwan (Park Hae-il)—who were all present at the scene—are confronted with questions that cannot be explained by the official statement alone.

“The Assassin(s)” is the first film adaptation of the First Lady assassination attempt, a tragedy that remains etched in South Korea’s modern history. Rather than merely recreating the known historical events, the film uses cinematic imagination to reconstruct the suspicions left behind that day, presenting them as a mystery thriller.
Its greatest strength lies in its pacing. The narrative unfolds quickly and without any unnecessary fluff. With short, tight pacing, it sustains the tension of the investigation. The questions Cheol-gu identifies at the crime scene, the connections Jae-hwan uncovers from scattered clues, and the leads Young-il secures through his on-the-ground efforts all lead one to the next. Audiences are naturally drawn into the case as they follow the characters’ perspectives.
The fact that history—the story’s ending—is already known does not serve as an obstacle. The film’s focus lies not on “who the culprit is,” but on “what actually happened that day.” It allows viewers to observe a single incident from different perspectives—such as those of police officers and journalists—and raises new questions every time their respective pieces of information interlock. This is the power that makes a familiar story feel like a new one.

The ensemble cast propels this thriller forward. Yoo Hae-jin, who is both steadfast and tenacious; Park Hae-il, who displays cool insight; and Lee Min-ho, driven by passion and energy—each drives the story forward in their own distinct way. Joined by a solid cast including Bae Sung-woo, Um Ji-won, Park Ji-hwan, Park Hoon, Ryu Hye-young, Park Hae-joon, and Jung Woo-sung, who fill every scene, the film propels its 130-minute runtime forward without a single lull.
Above all, Director Heo Jin-ho’s direction stands out. Rather than rushing to explain the truth behind the incident, he meticulously traces what the characters saw at the time, what they suspected, and why they persisted to the very end. By placing the attitudes of those seeking the truth at the forefront—rather than the shock of the incident itself—the film transcends a simple historical reenactment.

The production design and cinematography, which bring the setting of 1974 to life, also enhance the immersive experience. Locations such as the celebratory venue, the newspaper office, and the police station focus on capturing the authentic texture of the era rather than relying on exaggerated retro styles, drawing the audience right into the heart of the events.
If you enjoyed films like *The Insiders*, *The Man Standing Next*, and *Spring in Seoul*—which blend major moments in modern Korean history with genre-driven entertainment—*The Assassin(s)* will also prove thoroughly compelling. The more you know about the background, the more you’ll see; even without that context, you can enjoy it as a meticulously crafted thriller. The fact that it makes us question an event we thought everyone already knew—that is the greatest strength of *The Assassin(s)*. Directed by Hur Jin-ho. Runtime: 130 minutes. Opens September 23.