Lee Min-ho calls film industry slump ‘a heavy burden’ amid screen return

Actor Lee Min-ho returns to the big screen in "Omniscient Reader." Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

Actor Lee Min-ho is making his long-awaited return to the big screen after a decade, starring in the fantasy action blockbuster “Omniscient Reader.”

As the film’s July 23 release approaches, Lee said he feels both excitement and a renewed sense of responsibility, especially given the current slump in Korea’s theatrical market.

In an interview ahead of the film’s premiere, Lee appeared more vibrant than he did in his last sit-down with the same reporter during the release of “Gangnam 1970” in 2015. At the time, he said he hoped to become an actor “like a book you want to keep for a long time.” A decade later, that goal remains unchanged.

“My biggest goal as an actor is still to leave behind silent, indescribable moments, emotional fragments of each era I live through, as a kind of record through film,” he said.

Drawn to a lonely, layered character

“Omniscient Reader,” based on the wildly popular web novel of the same name, tells the story of Kim Dok-ja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), the sole reader of a long-running novel who finds the fictional world becoming reality.

Lee plays the novel’s original protagonist, Yoo Jung-hyuk, as he and others struggle to survive in a collapsing world.

As of Monday, the film had surpassed a 20.7 percent reservation rate, showing strong early interest.

Lee said he initially hesitated to accept the role. “This is a super IP (intellectual property) that’s already deeply loved. I had a lot of conversations about it from the start because I wanted to be careful,” he said. “But the character of Yoo Jung-hyuk really drew me in.”

Playing a character who moves largely alone through the story, Lee shot many of his scenes without interacting with the rest of the cast.

“It was lonely,” he said. “But strangely, I got used to it. Seeing the other actors bonding from a distance — I was envious. But in a way, that emotional distance fit the character of Yoo Jung-hyuk.”

Now well-versed in wire work, Lee joked, “I could probably sleep hanging from a harness at this point.” He described the action scenes in the film as entirely different from “Gangnam 1970.”

“This one was filled with imaginary action and movements my body didn’t remember. It felt unfamiliar and fresh.”

Actor Lee Min-ho plays Yoo Jung-hyuk in the upcoming fantasy film “Omniscient Reader.” / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

A fragile film industry

Returning to the big screen after 10 years, Lee offered a grounded reflection: “Whether it’s a film or drama, I don’t place too much weight on that distinction. But I do feel a lot of pressure, because the film industry is struggling right now. I really hope this one does well.”

Lee still aspires to be the kind of actor audiences rediscover and cherish over time. “Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy” represents another chapter in that pursuit.

“This film shows a wide range of humanity — not unlike the world we live in now,” he said. “At its core is a message about cooperation and how people are ultimately healed and comforted by others. There’s a great cast with very distinct personalities, and I hope viewers find it enjoyable.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.