[E-Daily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] "Led by senior actor Yoo Hae-jin, who has starred in 10 million films, a variety of actors will appear."

Actor Lee Min-ho shared insights into his character development and behind-the-scenes stories from the set during an interview for the film *Assassins* held at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th.
“Assassins” is a mystery film inspired by the August 15, 1974, assassination attempt on the First Lady, which follows the suspicions and the masterminds behind the incident. Based on a real event in modern history, the film adds cinematic imagination to depict the story of characters pursuing the truth.

Lee Min-ho plays Young-il, a rookie reporter who throws himself into the heart of the incident. When asked about his experience playing a reporter, he said, “I thought the starting point was gathering information about phenomena, situations, and people, and then conveying that information without distortion, while setting aside my own subjective views.”
As a global star, he also incorporated his personal perspectives into his interpretation of the character. Lee Min-ho explained, “Aren’t there many instances where things get distorted regardless of intent? I felt a certain fatigue toward that, and I think there was a personal part of me that was thirsting for communication that presents things exactly as they are.”
He added, “While there are incidents that shake the nation and victims who go unnoticed, I think Young-il must have felt it was unfair that coverage of the victims was kept to a minimum.”

When asked what kind of senior actor Yoo Hae-jin was as a co-star, he replied, “The moment that left the deepest impression on me was when I sensed a spark of life in Senior Yoo Hae-jin’s eyes.”
He continued, “Isn’t it true that he’s maintained that raw, unfiltered quality for decades?” adding, “I think it’s truly difficult to live while retaining that wildness and raw authenticity.”
Lee Min-ho, whose goal in his acting career is to “stay raw,” said, “Senior Yoo Hae-jin seems to have a way of looking at life instinctively,” adding, “I want to be like him, and he’s been a great source of inspiration.”
In a previous interview, Park Hae-il had praised Lee Min-ho, saying, “He would visit the set even when he didn’t have any scenes to shoot.” In response, Lee Min-ho said, “Senior Hae-il would come by to inspect the set—even when he didn’t have any scenes or before the props and set were even finished. (Laughs) Seeing him like that, I just couldn’t help but go too,” drawing laughter.
He continued, “I was also curious about the emotions my senior actors brought to important scenes. It felt comfortable to blend in like family, so I think that’s why I ended up going there more often.”
He also mentioned the ad-libbed lines in *Ssanghwatang*. Lee Min-ho explained, “The script described it in a rather explanatory way. It felt like it revealed the character’s intention to gather information, so I wanted to condense it into a single sentence.”

From ‘Pachinko’ to ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’ and ‘The Assassin(s)’—Lee Min-ho shared that over the past five years, he has prioritized works that emphasize story and character development over romantic comedies (rom-coms). Noting that he will turn 40 next year, he drew attention by saying, “Now I want to try a ‘mature sexy’ look.”
He continued, “I once asked Director Hur Jin-ho, ‘If this were your last project, what would you want to do?’ He said he wanted to tell a love story.”
Explaining why he has steered clear of rom-coms, he said, “I think it’s time for me to portray a different kind of love—rather than falling in love at first sight or playing roles that don’t suit my age, as I did in my 20s.” He added, “I feel that instead of fiery rom-coms that epitomize youth, I need to do romances suited to my current age or rom-coms that capture the sensibilities of this age group. “If I were to simply repeat what I did in my 20s, I don’t think I’d be able to recapture that energy,” he added.
Finally, Lee Min-ho said, “With a diverse cast led by senior actor Yoo Hae-jin, who has starred in films that have drawn over 10 million viewers, I think people will take an interest,” adding, “I’d be satisfied if people described it as ‘refreshing.’”
“Assassins” is directed by Hur Jin-ho, known for films such as “Christmas in August,” “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring,” “Princess Deokhye,” and “Cheonmun: Asking the Sky.” In addition to lead actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, the film features Kim Dae-myung, Ryu Kyung-soo, Ryu Hye-young, Park Sung-hoon, Park Ji-hwan, Park Hae-joon, Park Hoon, Bae Sung-woo, Shin Hyun-bin, Shim Eun-kyung, Um Ji-won, Um Tae-woong, Oh Dal-soo, Oh Jung-se, Jang Ryul, Jung Woo-sung, and Choi Yu-ri. It opens on the 23rd.