▲ This poster of South Korean film "Assassins" is provided by Hive Media Corp. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- Director Hur Jin-ho's film "Assassins" has returned to the top of the domestic box office amid controversy over alleged historical distortion that erupted following its release.

 

According to data from the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for box office receipts, "Assassins" attracted more than 55,000 moviegoers Wednesday, accounting for 21.8 percent of total box office revenue, to rank No. 1 in South Korea.

 

The film, released Sept. 23, has drawn a cumulative audience of more than 1.822 million.

 

"Assassins" remained atop the box office for five consecutive days following its release before surrendering the No. 1 spot to "Tazza: Song of Belzebub" on Sept. 28 and "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island" on Sept. 30. It has since reclaimed the top spot.

 

"Assassins" is inspired by the Aug. 15, 1974, shooting of former first lady Yuk Young-soo and follows reporters investigating the suspicions and possible forces behind the incident.

 

The film became embroiled in controversy after some moviegoers and politicians claimed that characters in the film suggest the possible involvement of then-President Park Chung-hee or the Korean Central Intelligence Agency in the shooting of Yuk.

 

The controversy spread throughout the film industry as criticism was also directed at cast members and people who had posted reviews of the film, with some actors skipping promotional events and various review videos being made private.

 

Director Hur and other members of the production team have said the film was based on a real-life incident but incorporated a substantial amount of fictional imagination and that they had no intention of distorting history.

 

"Tazza: Song of Belzebub," starring Byun Yo-han and Noh Jae-won and released on the same day as "Assassins," ranked second Wednesday with more than 49,000 viewers, accounting for 20.8 percent of total box office revenue.

 

Directed by Choi Kook-hee, "Tazza: Song of Belzebub" follows best friends Jang Tae-young, played by Byun, and Park Tae-young, played by Noh, as they enter the online casino business and are driven apart by betrayal. The film has attracted more than 1.066 million viewers.

 

The Japanese animated film "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island" ranked third with more than 45,000 viewers, accounting for 20.4 percent of total box office revenue.

 

"Revival Man: The Red," an action film starring Koo Kyo-hwan, ranked fourth with more than 22,000 viewers.

 

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island" led advance ticket sales with a 37.8 percent share and about 239,000 advance bookings.

 

"Assassins" ranked second with 14.2 percent and about 90,000 advance bookings, followed by Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" with 12.0 percent and about 76,000 advance bookings.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]