Film industry calls for end to attacks on cast and crew amid 'The Assassin' controversy

South Korean film industry organizations have called for restraint after the controversy surrounding "The Assassin" — a film based on the shooting of first lady Yuk Young-soo — spilled over into personal attacks on its cast and crew.

The Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) recently issued a statement saying it was "deeply concerned that the current debate has spread beyond criticism of the work itself into threats against the production company, director, actors, staff and others who participated in making the film."

The PGK said it was "not taking sides in the debate surrounding 'The Assassin,' nor asking audiences to do so," adding that "freedom of creation and expression is a precious value, and criticism, as part of that freedom, must also be respected."

However, it said that "disclosing personal information or family details of individuals simply because they participated in the film, or pressuring the normal activities of related individuals, companies and organizations, goes beyond the bounds of legitimate criticism." The guild urged people to "stop the defamation, threats, invasion of privacy, and actions that endanger the safety and livelihoods of those involved in the film."

The Korean Society of Cinematographers (CGK) also weighed in, saying: "Every thought you have after watching the film is valuable. Agreement, disappointment, a different perspective — all are part of a meaningful conversation about the work." It added, however, that "if that conversation shifts from the work itself toward individual creators and actors, we worry it may gradually become harder for creators to take on new stories."

The controversy has also affected film events. Production company Hive MEDIAcorp canceled its participation in the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival on Tuesday and scrapped an outdoor stage greeting for "The Assassin" scheduled for Wednesday. Actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Min-ho had been set to attend the opening ceremony, while director Heo Jin-ho and actors Yoo, Park Hae-il and Lee had been scheduled for the outdoor event.

An "Actors House" talk program at the Busan International Film Festival in which Lee Min-ho was to participate Wednesday was also canceled. The production company said the decision was made "in consideration of the safety of audiences and attendees given the series of recent developments surrounding the film," adding that it was acting "for the safety of all and the smooth running of the events."

Box office momentum has also shifted since the film's opening. "The Assassin," which opened Sept. 23, drew about 1.407 million viewers during the chuseok holiday period from Thursday to Sunday, averaging roughly 351,000 admissions per day. Daily attendance then fell to around 64,000 from Monday through Friday.

"The Assassin" is inspired by the events of Aug. 15, 1974, when Mun Se-gwang, a Korean resident of Japan, opened fire on then-President Park Chung-hee and fatally shot first lady Yuk Young-soo. The film follows detectives and journalists as they investigate the incident and raise the possibility of accomplices and a wider conspiracy.