The Assassin (Korean: 살수; Hanja: 殺手; RR: Salsu) is a 2023 South Korean historical action-drama film written and directed by Kwak Jeong-deok. Starring Shin Hyun-joon, Lee Moon-sik, and Kim Min-kyung, the film depicts story of Lee Nan, Joseon’s best swordsman, in front of an irreversible fate in a world of chaos.

The film was released on February 22, 2023 on 188 screens. As of February 25, 2023, with gross of US$25,282 and 3,593 admissions, it is at the 31st place among the South Korean films released in 2023.

The Assassin Plot

Lee Nan (Shin Hyun-joon) is Joseon’s best swordsman. He is also an assassin, trained from a young age to kill without mercy. Nan is tasked with killing a powerful enemy of the state, but when he arrives at his target, he finds himself in a world of chaos. The country is on the brink of war, and Nan must decide where his loyalties lie.

The Assassin Characters

• Lee Nan (Shin Hyun-joon): Joseon’s best swordsman and an assassin.
• Park Moo-kyung (Lee Moon-sik): Nan’s mentor and a master swordsman.
• Lady Sook (Kim Min-kyung): A mysterious woman who is connected to Nan’s past.
• Kim Ja-hong (Park Hoon): Nan’s rival and an assassin for the enemy.

Themes

The Assassin explores themes of loyalty, identity, and destiny. Nan is a skilled assassin, but he is also a complex individual with a strong moral code. He is faced with a difficult choice when he is tasked with killing an enemy who is also a friend. Nan must decide whether to follow his orders or to follow his heart.

Critical reception

The Assassin received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the film’s action sequences and visual effects, while others criticized the film’s slow pace and lack of character development. The film has a 5.8/10 rating on IMDb and a 60% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Final Words

The Assassin is a well-made action-drama with some impressive visuals. However, the film is slow-pa