SEOUL: Hollywood star Tom Cruise made headlines on May 12, 2025, when he politely deflected a politically charged question during a press event for the upcoming Mission: Impossible film in South Korea. The incident occurred as the actor was addressing the media ahead of the film’s Asian premiere.
A local reporter asked Cruise for his opinion on ongoing U.S. tariff discussions regarding foreign film production. Without hesitation, Cruise declined to comment, smiling and saying, “I’m just here to talk about the movie.” The actor then quickly redirected attention to the cast and crew of the action franchise.
The moment, though brief, garnered attention online, with fans praising Cruise’s professionalism and ability to stay focused on promoting his work. Many media analysts noted that his response was a masterclass in maintaining diplomacy in potentially sensitive scenarios.
Cruise, who is known for his meticulous involvement in the Mission: Impossible series, spent much of the press conference discussing the challenges of filming the franchise’s latest high-octane sequences. He emphasised the importance of teamwork and applauded the South Korean audience for their continued support.
The actor’s graceful handling of the situation has reignited admiration for his media conduct and focus on film. As global tensions influence various aspects of entertainment and business, Cruise’s choice to steer clear of political commentary was widely appreciated.
