Assassin(s) Tops October 4 Box Office in Admissions
Assassin(s) is a film directed by Hur Jin-ho that opened in South Korean theaters on September 23, 2026. It ranked No. 1 at the daily box office on October 4, drawing 188,468 moviegoers that day and reaching a cumulative audience of 2,233,963.
- It opened in South Korean theaters on September 23, 2026, and was directed by Hur Jin-ho.
- It ranked No. 1 at the daily box office on October 4, 2026.
- It drew 188,468 moviegoers on October 4, 2026.
- Its cumulative audience through October 4, 2026, was 2,233,963.
- Its age rating is 12 and up, and its runtime, calculated by combining the minutes and seconds listed by KOBIS, is 130 minutes and 56 seconds.
Assassin(s) opened in theaters in South Korea on September 23, 2026. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, it ranked No. 1 at the daily box office on October 4, with 188,468 admissions that day. Cumulative admissions through that date totaled 2,233,963.
The admissions and ranking are based on the Korean Film Council’s KOBIS figures for October 4, 2026.
Release Date and Basic Film Information
The South Korean release date was September 23, 2026. KOBIS classifies the film as crime and drama. Hive Media Corp handled production and distribution.
| Item | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| South Korean release date | September 23, 2026 |
| Release format | Theaters |
| Director | Hur Jin-ho |
| Main cast | Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, Lee Min-ho |
| Production and distribution | Hive Media Corp |
| Country of production | South Korea |
| Genre | Crime, drama |
| Age rating | Ages 12 and up |
| Runtime | 130 minutes 56 seconds |
The runtime is more precise when minutes and seconds are kept separate. KOBIS records 130 minutes and 56 seconds separately. Together, that makes 130 minutes 56 seconds, or 131 minutes when rounded to the nearest minute. The basic information is available from the KOBIS Daily Box Office.
October 4 Box Office Admissions
Admissions for October 4, 2026, were 188,468. The cumulative total of 2,233,963 already includes that day’s admissions. Adding the two figures would count the October 4 admissions twice.
| Metric | Figure as of October 4, 2026 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Daily ranking | No. 1 | Box office ranking for that date |
| Daily admissions | 188,468 | Total for October 4 |
| Cumulative admissions | 2,233,963 | Cumulative total through October 4 |
| Screens | 1,129 | Number of screens showing the film that day |
| Screenings | 3,446 | Number of showings that day |
The figures for that day can also be checked in the Korean Film Council’s KoBiz daily box office. (Figures checked for October 4, 2026: No. 1 ranking, 188,468 admissions, 1,129 screens, 3,446 screenings · source kobiz.or.kr · checked 2026-10-04) This ranking alone does not establish a weekly or yearly ranking. Later searches may show different figures due to adjustments to the tally. The reporting date can be checked at the KoBiz Daily Box Office.
Cast and Spoiler-Free Plot
The film begins with the August 15, 1974, shooting of the First Lady. A detective and journalists pursue questions left by the incident. The main characters are Cheol-gu, Jae-hwan, and Yeong-il.
| Actor | Character | Starting point in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Yoo Hae-jin | Cheol-gu | A detective who witnessed the incident |
| Park Hae-il | Jae-hwan | The head of a newspaper’s social affairs desk who investigates the incident |
| Lee Min-ho | Yeong-il | A rookie reporter caught in the confusion at the scene |
The three characters’ investigation and reporting form the heart of the story. Park Ji-hwan and Park Hoon are also in the cast. Park Jung-min plays Moon Tae-gwang. Cast information appears in the Korean Film Council webzine’s interview with director Hur Jin-ho.
What to Watch For and Historical Background
The film’s focus is on the perspectives of the people investigating the incident. The detective confronts questions at the scene. The journalists approach the incident through reporting and publication.
- The characters’ professions: Viewers can compare how a detective and journalists interpret the same incident.
- Reporting and outside pressure: Alongside clues about the incident, viewers can see the environment in which the press operates.
- Period settings: Recreations of the commemorative ceremony venue and a newspaper newsroom provide the backdrop.
Although the film draws on a real incident, its characters and plot include fictional elements. Hur Jin-ho said he added cinematic imagination to his portrayal of the characters. He also cited memories of pressure on newspaper advertising during that period as part of the background for his direction.
The film’s fictional details should therefore not be cited as historical evidence. To assess its historical portrayal, scenes must be compared separately with historical sources. The director’s explanation is available in the Korean Film Council webzine interview.
Days Since Release Versus Admissions Totals
Counting the release date, October 4 was the film’s 12th day in theaters. September 23 through September 30 accounts for 8 days. Adding the 4 days from October 1 through October 4 gives that total.
| Category | Basis | Point to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Days since release | Calendar count from the release date through the date in question | Does not indicate the period covered by admissions figures |
| Daily admissions | Ticketing-based admissions count for a specific date | Distinct from cumulative admissions |
| Cumulative admissions | Cumulative count through the date in question | Do not add daily admissions again |
| Advance booking rate | A measure related to tickets booked for future viewings | Distinct from admissions already recorded |
KoBiz says it compiles ticketing data from movie theaters nationwide. Cumulative admissions therefore cannot be treated as a count of unique individuals. This table alone does not show whether anyone saw the film more than once. When citing the statistics, include both the film title and the reporting date.
Theater Viewing and Streaming Release Information
The confirmed release is in South Korean theaters. Hive Media Corp’s film information page includes links to book tickets at individual theater chains. No streaming platform or release date appears in the official information checked.
| Viewing option | Confirmed schedule and access | Where to check prices and terms |
|---|---|---|
| Theaters | Opened September 23, 2026, with booking links for CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox | Booking page for the selected theater and screening |
| Streaming | Official platform and release date not confirmed | Future announcement from the production and distribution company or platform |
Screening times and remaining seats at each theater must be checked on its booking page. The film information checked does not list a standard ticket price. The trailer and booking links are collected on the Hive Media Corp film information page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the No. 1 ranking on October 4 mean?
It is the box office ranking for October 4, 2026, alone. It does not mean the film ranked first in cumulative admissions or real-time advance bookings.
Should the daily admissions be added to cumulative admissions?
No. The cumulative total of 2,233,963 through October 4 already includes that day’s admissions.
Is the runtime 130 minutes or 131 minutes?
Combining the minutes and seconds listed by KOBIS gives 130 minutes 56 seconds. Rounded to the nearest minute, that is 131 minutes.
Does the film recreate the real incident exactly?
It is a fictional film that takes a real incident as its starting point. Cinematic imagination was added to the characters and plot.
Can it be watched online now?
The official information checked does not establish whether streaming is available. A separate official announcement is needed to confirm the platform and release date.
FAQ
When was Assassin(s) released in South Korea?
It was released in South Korean theaters on September 23, 2026.
How many people saw it on October 4, 2026?
KOBIS recorded 188,468 admissions. It ranked No. 1 at the daily box office on that date.
What was the cumulative admission count through October 4, 2026?
The cumulative admission count was 2,233,963. That figure already includes admissions for that day.
Who are the director and main cast?
Hur Jin-ho directed the film. Yoo Hae-jin plays Cheol-gu, Park Hae-il plays Jae-hwan, and Lee Min-ho plays Yeong-il.
What is the age rating and running time?
It is rated for ages 12 and up. Combining the minutes and seconds listed by KOBIS, the running time is 130 minutes and 56 seconds.
Is the film based on a true story?
It draws on the August 15, 1974, shooting of the first lady. Its characters and plot include fictional elements, so the film's portrayal should be distinguished from historical fact.
How is the 12th day of release calculated?
It counts September 23, 2026, as the first day and runs through October 4. The count of days since release is separate from the reporting period for audience statistics.
Does the cumulative admission count represent the number of different people who saw the film?
The count is based on tickets issued, so it cannot be interpreted as the number of distinct people. The box office figures alone cannot show whether anyone saw the film more than once.
Which theaters have ticket booking information?
Hive Media Corp's film information includes booking links for CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox. Check each booking page for actual screening times and prices.
Has a streaming release date been set?
The official information reviewed does not list a platform or release date. Check official announcements from the production or distribution company or the platform for availability and scheduling.
Sources
- Korean Film Council KOBIS daily box office, compiled on October 4, 2026
- Korean Film Council KoBiz daily box office
- Korean Film Council webzine, Setting Out to Find the Truth of That Day: Interview with Director Hur Jin-ho, September 21, 2026
- Hive Media Corp booking information for Assassin(s) by film and theater
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