Film critic Lee Dong-jin's review of the movie 'Assassins' has sparked controversy online. Critics are questioning whether his standards for evaluating a film based on true events have shifted, particularly regarding the boundary between fact and dramatization.
The film 'Assassins' centers on the assassination attempt of First Lady Yuk Young-soo on August 15, 1974, exploring the suspicions and conspiracies surrounding the incident. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, the film features actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho. While based on real events, it dramatizes the questions and records from that time.
Audience reactions to the film have been mixed. While some praised the film's tension, investigative process, and performances, others questioned how much of the film's presented suspicions and creative elements should be accepted, given its historical basis.
On September 25, Lee Dong-jin released a video titled 'Who is Behind the Assassination of the First Lady?! [Assassins] Review' on his YouTube channel 'Phaeakia.'
In the video, Lee pointed out discrepancies between the number of gunshots depicted in the film and the officially reported bullets, suggesting that the film prompts viewers to ask, 'Where did the rest come from?'
However, some online commentators criticized Lee for being overly accepting of the film's implications. In various online communities, discussions have emerged suggesting that Lee's review could not simply dismiss conspiracy theories.
Additionally, comparisons have been made to Lee's past critiques of other politically charged films, amplifying the criticism. For instance, in his review of 'The Road to Guantanamo,' which reconstructs the true story of British youths of Pakistani descent detained at Guantanamo Bay, Lee noted that the reenactments were presented as 'facts,' acknowledging the potential for political films to serve as powerful tools while also carrying the risk of propaganda.
Some netizens have raised questions about Lee's consistency in criticism, arguing that while he previously expressed caution regarding films that present unverified statements or events as facts, he now seems to attribute significant meaning to the method of pursuing historical suspicions in this dramatized work.
Online discussions also referenced Hur Jin-ho's previous film 'The Last Princess,' which faced historical distortion controversies for deviating from recorded historical facts. At the time, Hur acknowledged the concerns and described the film as a 'faction' based on a novel.
A fact-check by a media outlet pointed out that certain scenes in 'The Last Princess,' such as the protagonist's attempt to escape, were not confirmed by historical records. Although the film included a disclaimer stating it was based on historical facts, debates continued regarding how historical figures and events were represented.
Lee's YouTube video has attracted numerous comments regarding these critiques. Some viewers have suggested that he applied different standards this time, while others argued that Hur's previous works should also be considered in the evaluation.
Some comments included harsh expressions targeting political leanings. One user claimed that if a fictional film about a political event had addressed allegations against the opposing side, it would have faced bans or protests. Another user criticized Hur Jin-ho's historical representation methods by referencing 'The Last Princess,' 'Astronomy,' and 'Assassins.' Others noted that this film has led to changes in the evaluations of certain critics and YouTubers.
Particularly, since Lee previously highlighted the dangers of political films presenting testimonies and reenactments as facts in 'The Road to Guantanamo,' there is ongoing debate about whether the same standards were applied in his review of 'Assassins.'
Conversely, it is important to note that in this review, Lee did not definitively assert the film's presented suspicions as historical facts. In fact, he praised the film for not declaring a single conclusion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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