Conservative Protesters Target Burger King Over Actor Yoo Hae-jin's Controversial Historical Film

Summary A major controversy surrounding the historical film 'The Assassin(s)' has spilled over into the commercial and political spheres in South Korea, culminating in protests targeting veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin and government officials. On October 6, conservative activist groups, including the New Freedom Coalition (Sinjayu Yeondae) and Bellado, staged a protest directly in front of the Burger King headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Boycott The Assassin(s)," "Yoo Hae-jin and Burger King are accomplices," and demanded that the fast-food chain terminate its advertising endorsement contract with Yoo, who stars in the film. The fallout highlights how modern historical interpretations in Korean entertainment can swiftly ignite real-world boycotts and legal battles. 'The Assassin(s),' produced by Hive Media Corp, has faced fierce backlash from conservative circles for hinting at an alternative narrative regarding the tragic death of former First Lady Yuk Young-soo, who according to official government findings was assassinated by Mun Se-gwang, a pro-North Korean resident in Japan. Although the film's production team clarified that the cinematic piece was not intended to deny established facts or introduce alternative historical conclusions, activist groups previously demonstrated outside Yoo Hae-jin's private residence on October 4 to demand an immediate halt to theatrical screenings and public apologies. Tensions escalated dramatically after Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young took to social media on October 5 to condemn the aggressive actions against the cast, urging police authorities to take strict legal measures against unlawful intimidation. In response, the New Freedom Coalition filed a defamation complaint against Minister Choi with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Serious Crime Investigation Division, alleging that their demonstration was peaceful and that the minister damaged their reputation by framing it as intimidation. Meanwhile, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Ko Beom-seok warned that any threats against the cast would be strictly handled according to law, prompting organizers to threaten further legal action for abuse of authority while extending their protests to the production company's offices.