"Turning a Fatal Shooting Into Merchandise"... Controversy Over 'Assassin(s)' Megabox Ticket

Lee Giin: "The Design Has Audiences Complete the Shooting Scene with Their Own Hands"
Joo Jinwoo: "Boycott If Not Immediately Destroyed and Apologized For"

Amid ongoing controversies surrounding the movie "Assassin(s)," which is based on the assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo, the opposition party has now raised criticism regarding the design of the Megabox Original Ticket.

Movie 'Assassins' Megabox Original Ticket Goods / Photo by Megabox Instagram

On October 2, Lee Giin, Emergency Response Committee Chair of the Reform New Party, revealed a photo of the actual Megabox "Assassin(s)" Original Ticket on Facebook. He pointed out, "When you overlay the transparent layer marked with bullet holes over the thick ticket, the bullet holes align over the Taegeukgi (the Korean national flag), the podium, and the figure that appears to represent Madam Yuk." He continued, "It is a design that makes the audience complete the shooting scene with their own hands." He then questioned, "Is this what you call freedom of expression?"

Chair Lee strongly criticized, "Did it really have to be made into a collectible by overlaying a transparent plate to highlight the shooting where someone's life was taken? Did you ever consider, even once, how the bereaved families would feel accepting this? How can a lifelong tragedy for someone become a clever promotional idea for someone else?"

He stated, "Freedom of expression is not a bulletproof shield against criticism. If you want to talk about the freedom to produce such a design, then you must also withstand the criticisms regarding its cruelty and vulgarity." He further criticized, "Is someone's death your idea of collectible value?"

Chair Lee also pointed out the contrasting responses in political circles. He said, "When the 'Tank Day' event took place, there was an immediate raid, nationwide store history lessons, a full investigation into gift card purchases ordered by the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, and leading boycotts by public officials. Yet, in front of ticket merchandise depicting the assassination of a former president's wife, everyone is silent." He added, "The standards for outrage must not change. There cannot be partisan yardsticks when it comes to human dignity."

The People Power Party also continued to criticize the ticket.

Joo Jinwoo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, posted on his social media, "How could there be goods exploiting Madam Yuk Young-soo's death? Have you lost your mind?" He continued, "The vivid bullet hole in the seat where Mrs. Yuk sat—this depraved merchandise is unbearable to see. Megabox must immediately destroy all such goods and apologize." He warned, "If no immediate action is taken today, CEO Hong Jeongin of Megabox will be called as a witness at the parliamentary audit, and we will take strong action by launching a boycott against Megabox."

Another member of the same party, Kim Taegyu, also wrote on social media, "Even the merchandise made for the movie 'Assassin(s)' is depraved," adding, "They are unnecessarily depicting the completion of six bullet holes with the missing bullets."

"Assassin(s)" takes as its motif the shooting of Madam Yuk Young-soo that occurred on August 15, 1974, and follows the story of a journalist and a detective investigating the suspicions and hidden forces surrounding the incident. After its release, the movie drew accusations—particularly from political circles—of distorting history by implying that former President Park Chung-hee or the Korean Central Intelligence Agency could have been involved in the assassination plot.

As controversy continued, official events began to be canceled one after another. On October 2, the production company Hive Media Corp. announced, "We have decided to cancel our scheduled attendance at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) opening ceremony and the outdoor stage greeting event that was set for October 7." The company explained, "We ask for the understanding of all the audience members who were waiting for these events." They added, "Given the recent circumstances surrounding the film, we have made this decision with the safety of the audience and the participants in mind, after careful consideration, to ensure everyone’s safety and the smooth running of the events."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.