Beyond the Screen: How The Assassins Revealed Our Deepening Cultural Divide

Director Jin-ho Hur’s latest box-office hit, The Assassins, is currently caught in a turbulent storm beyond the movie screen. Inspired by the historical 1974 assassination attempt on First Lady Yuk Young-soo, the film immediately claimed the top spot at the box office upon its release. Yet, online spaces have flared up with heated political confrontation rather than constructive discourse concerning the film's artistic merit or cinematic craft.

Led primarily by conservative YouTubers and online communities, a wave of criticism accusing the film of "historical distortion" has swept across the internet. Organized groups have mobilized to leave one-star ratings—a phenomenon commonly known as "rating terrorism"—while actors' social media accounts have been inundated with thousands of critical comments. The political arena has similarly seized upon the moment, engaging in sharp debates framed around the tensions between "freedom of expression" and "political propaganda."

This striking divergence between actual theatergoers' evaluations and online user ratings offers a clear reflection of the severe polarization and group-think dynamics afflicting contemporary society.

1. The Collision Between Artistic Fiction and Political Yardsticks

Prior to the film's theatrical release, Director Hur clarified his creative intent, stating, "My goal was not to uncover hidden truths or unmask behind-the-scenes masterminds, but rather to portray the emotional journeys of the individuals involved in the process of pursuing truth." Art often weaves creative imagination into historical events to illuminate human tragedy and complex psychological landscapes.

However, today's public sphere and political commentators frequently treat the film not as a nuanced cultural text, but as a tactical instrument in an ongoing ideological war. Works that align with a group's favored narrative are celebrated, whereas any story bearing traces of opposing viewpoints is swiftly labeled "distortion" or "brainwashing"—regardless of context. In this environment, artistic imagination finds little room to breathe, replaced by a binary metric: Are you with us, or are you against us?

2. 'Rating Terrorism' and Confirmation Bias in Digital Collectivism

The organized malicious commenting and rating attacks occurring on web portals and social media platforms extend beyond simple expressions of personal distaste. They represent coordinated actions intended to inflict damage on opposing camps while signaling allegiance within one's own group.

This refusal to tolerate interpretations that diverge from one's in-group narrative is heavily reinforced by algorithmic confirmation bias. Living inside personalized filter bubbles, individuals consume information that continuously validates their existing beliefs as absolute truth. In such a climate, even a film that merely raises alternative questions becomes a target for public condemnation.

3. Polarization Extending Beyond the Screen into Everyday Life

The broader issue is that this extreme hostility is no longer confined to cinema or specific political events. Across politics, media, culture, and daily conversations, public topics are increasingly forced into rigid "left versus right" or "progressive versus conservative" frameworks.

The traditional public sphere—where individuals listen to differing perspectives and seek common ground through reasoned discussion—has largely fragmented. In its place, affective polarization has deepened, leading people to view those with differing viewpoints not as fellow citizens with alternate ideas, but as adversaries to be defeated. Instead of cultural diversity and constructive debate, mutual hostility continues to expand.

Conclusion: Are We Ready to Listen to Different Voices?

The controversy surrounding The Assassins goes beyond a typical online rating dispute. It serves as a mirror reflecting a society struggling with declining pluralism and open dialogue.

A mature society requires the capacity to coexist with differing perspectives and values. Before reacting with anger or imposing punitive ratings on artistic interpretations that differ from our own, we ought to reflect on a fundamental question:

> "Are we genuinely prepared to engage with voices and historical imaginations that differ from our own?"

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A society that loses its capacity for self-reflection and questioning—replacing them entirely with rigid conviction and blame—risks deepening its own division. Halting the battles taking place outside the screen and setting aside deep-seated hostility remains a critical task for our culture today.