Lee Min-ho says Yoo Hae-jin 'looks healthier' after 'The King's Warden' success

Actor Lee Min-ho called on audiences to show their support for "The Assassin," which is set to open during the Chuseok holiday season.

Directed by Heo Jin-ho, "The Assassin" is the first film to dramatize the 1974 assassination attempt on South Korea's first lady. The project drew early attention for its cast of leading Korean actors, including Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho, making it one of the most anticipated releases of the second half of the year.

Speaking at a press presentation held Monday morning at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Lee said Yoo "looks healthier since 'The King's Warden,'" adding that he hoped many audiences would enjoy the film "so that director Heo can get some color back in his cheeks too."

Earlier at the same event, Yoo had described the gradual revival of cinema attendance as the industry "getting its color back," and expressed hope that "The Assassin" would draw large crowds as well. "Theaters feel like they're getting their color back lately, and that makes me really happy," Yoo said. "I hope we can help bring even more color to them."

Lee closed out the event by playfully riffing on Yoo's remarks, drawing laughter from the crowd.

"The Assassin" is a mystery thriller tracing the allegations and forces behind the shooting of the first lady on Aug. 15, 1974 — an incident that shocked the nation. The film draws on the real event for inspiration, weaving in cinematic imagination alongside director Heo's characteristically nuanced direction and strong performances from the cast.

Lee, who plays Yeong-il, a rookie reporter chasing the truth, said working alongside Park and Yoo had been "nothing short of happiness."

"They are the two most respected sunbae in Korean cinema," he said. "On set, I came to feel that true class as an actor starts from character. And at an age when it's not easy to be the youngest on a set, I was grateful to have that role."