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Assassination is a South Korean action thriller movie directed by Choi Dong-hoon and released in 2015. The story spans over two periods, the 1930s and the 1940s, and follows three individuals who come together to perform a mission to assassinate a powerful Japanese leader in Korea. The movie portrays the tumultuous times of the Korean history, where the country was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. The story begins in the 1930s when Korea was still under Japanese control. Jung-chool, a Korean police officer, is tasked by the Japanese police to hunt down and kill two rebel leaders who were planning to assassinate the Japanese governor-general. He successfully captures the two leaders, but their execution fails due to the sudden intervention of a mysterious sniper. Meanwhile, a group of Korean independence fighters, led by Ahn Ok-yun, plan to assassinate a high-ranking Japanese official in order to gain freedom for their country.

The story then shifts to the 1940s, where the country is still under Japanese occupation, and Ahn Ok-yun is living in exile in Shanghai. However, she is called back to Korea by the Korean provisional government in China to carry out another assassination mission. This time, they have to target Kang In-gook, a prominent Korean collaborator who is responsible for the deaths of many Korean independence fighters. Ahn Ok-yun recruits a motley crew of individuals, including Han Sang-gu, a thug who specializes in explosives, and Chu Sang-ok, a sniper who had helped her out in the past.

The team is sent to infiltrate a Japanese-fortified hotel in Seoul, where Kang In-gook is attending a gala event. However, they soon realize that the mission is not going to be as smooth as they had hoped. Jung-chool, who has now become a top Japanese official, is tasked to lead the security detail of Kang In-gook. His duty is to ensure the safety of Kang In-gook at all costs, even if it means betraying his own Korean people. The team has to overcome numerous obstacles, including treacherous landscapes, cunning spies, and unpredictable allies.

Assassination is a beautifully crafted movie that seamlessly merges action, drama, and history. The cinematography is stunning, and the visuals capture the essence of the period perfectly. The director's attention to detail is commendable, as he portrays the stark contrast between the glamorous lives of the Japanese officials and the struggle of the Korean freedom fighters.

The movie also boasts a strong cast, with notable performances from Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae, and Ha Jung-woo. Jun Ji-hyun, who plays Ahn Ok-yun, is excellent in her role as the fierce fighter who is unrelenting in her pursuit of freedom. Lee Jung-jae, who plays Jung-chool, delivers a nuanced performance as the conflicted Korean who must choose between his loyalty to his people and his duty to the Japanese. Ha Jung-woo, who plays Kang In-gook, oozes menace and makes for a formidable opponent.

The action sequences in the movie are well choreographed, and the use of practical effects adds to the realism of the fight scenes. The explosive set-pieces are particularly well done, and the tension is palpable throughout the movie. The movie strikes a balance between serious drama and lighthearted comedy, which makes it an enjoyable viewing experience.

In conclusion, Assassination is a must-watch movie for anyone who loves action, history, and drama. The movie offers a snapshot of the turbulent period of Korean history and paints a vivid picture of the sacrifices made by the Korean independence fighters. The movie's themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and betrayal are universal and make it a movie that can be appreciated by audiences across the globe.

Assassination is a 2015 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 64.