‘Omniscient Reader’ film draws mixed fan reactions, earns praise from authorAs Korean blockbuster fantasy "Omniscient Reader" sees strong ticket sales amid a sluggish domestic box office, the film has stirred debate among fans of the original web novel — particularly regarding the differences between page and screen. From reimagined creatures to altered character dynamics, the film took creative liberties to adapt the expansive source material into a two-hour cinematic experience. While the film has largely garnered positive reviews from audiences new to the "Omniscient Reader" universe, longtime readers of the original work, which has garnered over 240 million views and was adapted into a web comic, had mixed reactions. Many fans pointed out significant deviations from the original source material, expressing disappointment over the simplification of world-building and character portrayals to fit the two-hour adaptation, especially given the novel’s layered plot and emotional arcs. The film throws a fantasy novel reader, Kim Dok-ja (Ahn Hyo-seop), into a real-world apocalypse where he must navigate deadly scenarios alongside the novel's protagonist, Yoo JooJul 25, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
InterviewJo Jung-suk explores paternal love in ‘My Daughter Is a Zombie,’ aims to reign at summer box office againActor Jo Jung-suk, known for summer box office hits like “Exit” (2019) and “Pilot” (2024), is set to captivate audiences once again with his latest movie, “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” a unique film that he describes as “a film that saves zombies.” “The preview reaction was not that bad, so I feel really good,” Jo told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. “The actors have been looking up reviews, and seeing that they’re not bad has really cheered us up. We’ll have to wait until it officially opens, but the feeling of starting is good.” “My Daughter Is a Zombie” is a heartwarming family film that reimagines the zombie genre. Based on a highly popular online comic with over 500 million views, the movie tells the story of Jung-hwan (Jo), a father who embarks on an extraordinary journey to protect and even “train” his daughter, Soo-ah (Choi Yu-ri), after she turns into a zombie. For Jo, a father himself to a six-year-old daughter with singer Gummy, the film’s exploration of fatherly love resonated deeply. “This work, which deals with paternal lovJul 24, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Omniscient Reader' tops box office upon premiereThe action fantasy "Omniscient Reader: The Prophet" topped the box office on its first day of release, data showed Thursday. According to the Korean Film Council, the new film, directed by Kim Byung-woo, sold 122,491 tickets Wednesday to come out on top in the box office, dethroning the Hollywood flick "F1: the Movie." Adapted from the popular web-based novel of the same name, "Omniscient Reader" follows Dok-ja, played by Ahn Hyo-seop, who is the sole reader of a fictional series that suddenly comes to life on the day its decadelong serialization ends. Dok-ja teams up with the novel's protagonist, Joong-hyuk (Lee Min-ho), and a diverse group of allies — some from his original reality and others from the novel itself — and sets out to alter the novel's foregone conclusion, intent on crafting his own ending.Jul 24, 2025By Yonhap
HYBE America to make live action film on K-popHYBE America is teaming up with Paramount Pictures to produce a live action film with a K-pop theme, igniting speculation about the potential for a new hit in the vein of Netflix's animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters," the U.S. arm of the Korean entertainment company said Wednesday. The yet-to-be-titled film will tell the story of a Korean American girl who defies her family's objections to pursue her dream of joining a next-generation K-pop girl group by participating in an audition TV program. Ji-young Yoo, known for her role as Zoey in "KPop Demon Hunters," and Eric Nam, a singer and actor who starred as surgical resident Jonah Yoon in last year's Hollywood film "Transplant," have been cast in the lead roles. Their involvement, particularly Yoo's connection to "KPop Demon Hunters," is already generating buzz about the film's potential to capture the hearts of fans who embraced the hit animated movie. HYBE America said the film is scheduled to be released in theaters on Feb. 12, 2027. The production, with an all-Korea shoot, will begin in mid-September this year, the company said, adJul 23, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
₩6,000 discount vouchers for movie theaters to roll out nationwideThe government will distribute 4.5 million movie ticket vouchers, each worth 6,000 won ($4.35), on Friday in a broader effort to support the recovery of the cinema industry. Issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), vouchers can be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis via the websites and mobile apps of Korea’s major multiplex chains — CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox and CineQ. They are available to anyone who has an address in the country, and each person may receive up to two vouchers, which can be used for screenings on any day through Sept. 2. In addition to major chains, the discount program will extend to a range of venues, including independent cinemas, art-house theaters and silver cinemas catering to senior audiences. For theaters unable to offer online distribution, coupons will be provided on-site. A full list of participating venues is available on the KOFIC website. Each voucher can be combined with existing offers, such as Culture Day, youth and senior pricing, as well as early bird deals. For instance, on Culture DayJul 23, 2025By Park Han-sol
Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' to compete at Venice film festivalDirector Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" has been officially invited to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion at this year's Venice International Film Festival. The announcement was made Tuesday during a livestream revealing the 21 films in the main competition section. The acclaimed director's latest film is the first Korean movie to compete for the festival's top prize in 13 years after Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta," which won the Golden Lion in 2012. For Park, this is his second time in the Venice competition following his 2005 thriller "Lady Vengeance." Based on the mystery novel "The Ax" by American writer Donald E. Westlake, "No Other Choice" is a dark thriller following Man-soo, played by Lee Byung-hun, a middle-aged man who, after being suddenly fired from a paper company, becomes determined to find a new job and deals with those standing in his way. Actress Son Ye-jin, known for the popular TV series "Crash Landing on You" (2019-2020) and the movie "The Negotiation" (2018), plays Man-soo's cheerful and mentally strong wife, A-ra. The cast also includes Lee Sung-min from "Handsome GuysJul 22, 2025By Yonhap
3 Korean films to have world premieres at Toronto film festThree Korean films are set to have their world premieres at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the festival's organizers said Tuesday. According to the TIFF's website, Yeon Sang-ho's "The Ugly," Lee Hwan's "Project Y" and Byun Sung-hyun's "Good News" will all be screened in the prestigious Special Presentations section of the 50th edition of the festival, set for Sept. 4-14. "The Ugly," a mystery thriller from "Parasyte" director Yeon Sang-ho, is based on his 2018 graphic novel. It follows Young-gyu (Kwon Hae-hyo), a blind master of traditional seal engraving, and his son Dong-hwan (Park Jung-min) as they uncover the truth behind the death of Young-gyu's wife. The crime drama "Project Y," starring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, tells the story of two women who steal dirty money and gold bars to escape their miserable circumstances. A Netflix original film, "Good News," is a tense thriller starring Sul Kyung-gu and Hong Kyung that centers on a secret operation to land a hijacked plane in the 1970s. The Special Presentations section is known for featuring outstanding conJul 22, 2025By Yonhap
Will fantasy epic ‘Omniscient Reader’ turn tide for Korean cinema?Ahn Hyo-seop stars as an ordinary office worker thrust into a fictional apocalypse in “Omniscient Reader,” a big-budget Korean fantasy film opening on Wednesday that is drawing attention for its immersive storytelling, high-stakes visual effects and potential to breathe life into a struggling domestic film industry. Based on Sing Shong’s wildly popular web novel of the same name, which has accumulated more than 200 million views, “Omniscient Reader” unfolds around Kim Dok-ja (Ahn Hyo-seop), a nondescript contract employee and the sole remaining reader of a decade-long serialized story titled “Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World.” One day, after messaging the author to criticize the ending, “So someone’s sacrifice was necessary for your story to end? I completely disagree. This was the worst possible conclusion,” Kim receives a cryptic reply: “Then show us the ending you want.” Moments later, disaster strikes Seoul’s Dongho Bridge, mirroring the opening of the novel. The subway train Kim is riding on halts, and a deadly chain of events erupts, plunging the rJul 21, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Omniscient Reader' sparks hope for struggling Korean cinema with fantasy spectacleWith 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. Director Kim Byung-woo, known for thrillers like “The Terror Live” and “Take Point,” stated during a press conference followJul 15, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
BTS member Jung Kook’s emotional livestream sparks global buzz around 'KPop Demon Hunters'BTS member Jungkook has once again captured global attention — this time through his passionate reaction to the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” On Monday, Jungkook held a livestream while watching the recently released Netflix animation, “KPop Demon Hunters.” Throughout the session, he was visibly immersed in the storyline, laughing, shouting at dramatic moments and tearing up during emotional scenes — drawing empathy from fans worldwide. Known for his emotionally driven personality, often described as “F-type” in Myers–Briggs personality type terms, Jungkook resonated deeply with the film’s characters and plot. In particular, the ending, in which the protagonist Jinu sacrifices himself to protect Rumi, left Jungkook wiping away tears and exclaiming, “You fool, you could’ve fought together.” For a moment, he fell silent, overwhelmed by emotion. Clips from the livestream quickly spread across online communities, with fans commenting, “Jungkook is Jinu himself,” “His emotional response is amazing,” and “Jungkook is crying!” In another moment that tJul 15, 2025By Xportsnews
