Lee Min Ho’s latest film, “The Assassin(s),” has crossed a major milestone at the South Korean box office, surpassing three million moviegoers just 20 days after its theatrical release.
The historical mystery thriller, which also stars Yoo Hae Jin and Park Hae Il, reached the achievement on October 12, 2026, demonstrating its continued draw among local moviegoers despite controversy surrounding its historical portrayal.
According to the Korean Film Council, the film surpassed three million cumulative admissions at approximately 8 a.m. KST on October 12.
The achievement makes it the fifth South Korean film released in 2026 to reach the three-million-viewer mark.
Since opening in theaters on September 23, the movie has maintained a strong presence at the box office, attracting audiences throughout its first three weeks.
The milestone is particularly notable because the film has faced public scrutiny over allegations of historical distortion.
Nevertheless, its theatrical performance has remained strong, placing it among the year’s notable Korean cinema releases.
“The Assassin(s)” Maintains Its Box Office Momentum for Three Consecutive Weeks
Starring Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae Il, and Lee Min Ho, “The Assassin(s)” explores the mystery and forces behind the shocking 1974 assassination attempt that shook South Korea.
The film combines historical events with an investigative narrative, drawing audiences into questions surrounding the incident and the people connected to it.
The movie’s box office performance has remained consistent since its debut.
It claimed the number-one position at the overall weekly box office for three consecutive weeks, maintaining its lead as it entered its third week in theaters.
According to figures reported by the Korean Film Council, the film attracted approximately 758,587 moviegoers between October 5 and October 11.
This represented an increase of around 90,000 admissions compared with the 667,698 viewers recorded during its second week.
The continued growth in attendance indicates that the film has sustained audience interest beyond its opening period.
Its combination of a historical mystery, an established cast, and a story centred on a significant moment in South Korean history has helped it maintain a strong theatrical presence.
The latest milestone follows another major achievement earlier in October, when the film surpassed two million moviegoers just 11 days after its release.
Reaching three million admissions only nine days later further underscores the pace of its box office run.
Historical Distortion Controversy Continues to Surround the Film
Despite its commercial success, “The Assassin(s)” has also faced criticism over allegations that aspects of its portrayal of historical events distort the past.
The controversy emerged during the film’s opening week and became a significant talking point as its theatrical run continued.
The debate affected the film’s promotional activities as well.
On October 2, its production company, Hive Media Corp., announced that the cast and crew would withdraw from scheduled appearances at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival, citing safety considerations and the surrounding situation.
The planned festival events included the opening ceremony and an outdoor stage greeting.
The controversy has added another dimension to the film’s public reception, with discussions about its historical portrayal unfolding alongside reports of its growing audience numbers.
Its continued box office performance, however, has not been derailed by the criticism.
For Lee Min Ho, Yoo Hae Jin, Park Hae Il, and the wider production team, surpassing three million admissions represents a significant achievement for the film.
Whether the movie can continue attracting audiences in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but its first 20 days in theaters have established it as one of the major box office performers among South Korean releases in 2026.
