▲ This Yonhap file photo shows the posters of film "Assassins" displayed in a local cinema. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- The Korean Film Producers Association on Friday expressed concern over excessive criticism directed at individual creators, including the production company, director, actors and staff, of the film "Assassins," amid an ongoing controversy over alleged historical distortion surrounding the movie about the 1974 shooting of former first lady Yuk Young-soo.

 

In a statement issued Thursday, the association said, "We hope that criticism and evaluation of the film will be based on facts and that the creative activities of all those involved in its production, including the production company, director, actors and staff, will also be respected."

 

The association noted that works based on historical events or real-life figures can prompt differing opinions depending on viewers' perspectives and interpretations, adding that such diverse voices should be respected.

 

"Evaluations of the work's expression and interpretation should ideally focus on the work itself," it said. "Discussions surrounding a film going beyond the scope of evaluating the work itself and turning into attacks on individuals involved in its production, including the production company, director, actors and staff, or the spread of unverified information are not desirable for a healthy production environment in the Korean film industry."

 

Founded in 1994, the Korean Film Producers Association is an organization representing film producers. It has voiced its positions on issues including copyright protection, freedom of expression and standard labor contracts for workers in the film industry.

 

"Assassins" is based on the Aug. 15, 1974, shooting in which Yuk Young-soo was killed by a bullet during a Liberation Day ceremony as Zainichi Korean Moon Se-gwang attempted to assassinate then-President Park Chung-hee.

 

The film, which follows detectives and reporters investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, raises the possibility that someone other than Moon Se-gwang may have been responsible for some of the gunfire based on several questions surrounding the case. Some characters in the film also suggest the possibility of involvement by powerful government agencies, including the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, as one of the hypotheses.

 

Politicians, including members of the People Power Party, and some conservative groups have criticized the film for allegedly distorting history.

 

The criticism has spread to actors including Lee Min-ho and Ryu Hye-young, as well as fellow actors who left endorsement messages for the film, prompting critical comments on their social media accounts. A fast-food brand featuring Yoo Hae-jin as a model has also received protest comments on its social media advertising posts and YouTube ad videos, leading it to disable its comment function.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]