'Omniscient Reader' sparks hope for struggling Korean cinema with fantasy spectacle
From left, actors Lee Min-ho, Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, Nana and Ahn Hyo-seop pose during a press conference for their movie “Omniscient Reader” at a theater in Seoul, Tuesday. Newsis
With its lavish visuals and star-studded cast, the new Korean blockbuster “Omniscient Reader” premiered as a beacon of hope for a local film industry struggling to recover from a prolonged slump.
The film's director and lead actors expressed confidence Tuesday that its unique blend of reality and fantasy will prove that compelling, entertaining movies can still draw audiences back to theaters.
Based on the highly popular web novel of the same name, which has over 200 million cumulative views, “Omniscient Reader” tells the story of Kim Dok-ja (Ahn Hyo-seop), the lone reader of a web novel that concludes after more than a decade.
On the day of its finale, the fictional world suddenly becomes reality. Kim Dok-ja, along with the novel’s protagonist Yoo Joong-hyuk (Lee Min-ho) and their companions, must navigate this collapsed world to survive. The film focuses on grounding this surreal narrative with realistic, high-quality graphics and A-list talent.
Actors Ahn Hyo-seop, left, and Lee Min-ho in a scene from “Omniscient Reader” / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
Director Kim Byung-woo, known for thrillers like “The Terror Live” and “Take Point,” stated during a press conference following the premiere, "I felt the crisis in the Korean film industry very, very acutely. Through this film, I wanted to prove to the audience that there are still enjoyable films out there."
Adapting the popular novel into a two-hour film was a major challenge. Kim emphasized his focus on compressing the lengthy novel while maintaining its core essence and creating something fresh for the screen.
"In the process of making this, we tried to abandon familiar conventions as much as possible," he explained. "Our most concentrated effort was on how to create a new kind of fun that audiences might not have expected. I just hope that this is fully conveyed on the screen."
Ahn, who plays the lead role, expressed his hope that the film would appeal to both fans of the original web novel and new audiences.
"As an actor and as someone who loves movies, I was very excited," Ahn said. "My wish is that this film will be an enjoyable experience for original fans, but also for those who haven’t read the novel."
A scene from an upcoming fantasy movie “Omniscient Reader” / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
Lee, who takes on the role of the novel's protagonist, shared the pressure of bringing an already successful work to the big screen.
"My goal was to maintain the integrity and emotional line of the character I felt, without compromising the original's direction or sentiment," Lee said. "I didn’t approach this work as a fantasy. I started with the question, 'What if I were Yoo Joong-hyuk?'"
The film adapts only the initial part of the novel, and while no sequel has been officially confirmed, the movie's ending leaves room for a follow-up.
"You'll be able to tell that a next story exists," Kim said. "Ultimately, the possibility depends on the theatrical situation and how much love the film receives."
“Omniscient Reader” will hit theaters on July 23.