Ahn Hyo Seop and Lee Min Ho recently shared their thoughts and initial hesitations about starring in the upcoming film Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, which has fans worldwide buzzing.
Based on a wildly popular web novel that wrapped up after over a decade of serialization, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet is a high-octane fantasy action film that brings the novel’s intricate world to life. The story follows Kim Dok Ja (played by Ahn Hyo Seop), an ordinary guy who is the only reader of a web novel that mirrors his world. After the novel’s plot begins to unfold in real life, Kim Dok Ja teams up with the novel’s hero, Yoo Joong Hyuk (played by Lee Min Ho), and other characters to survive in a world on the brink of destruction.
The film blends elements of reality and fantasy, featuring an eclectic mix of unforgettable characters. Ahn Hyo Seop shared his thoughts on playing Kim Dok Ja, saying, “He’s an everyman, someone you could easily bump into on the street. The character grows as he meets new allies and fights to change the fate of this collapsing world.”
Director Kim Byung Woo, sitting next to Ahn Hyo Seop during a recent press event, praised the actor’s performance with a lighthearted comment: “He didn’t need to be this tall and handsome for the role,” which drew a laugh from the room.
For Ahn Hyo Seop, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet marks his feature film debut. Reflecting on his journey into the movie industry, he confessed, “I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t pressure. The source material has a massive fan base, and I knew that came with big expectations.” He went on to explain, “But I realized I couldn’t let that pressure weigh me down. Instead, I focused on bringing the character to life in a way I was excited about.”
Meanwhile, Lee Min Ho, known for his roles in hits like Boys Over Flowers and The King: Eternal Monarch, faced his own set of challenges. He plays Yoo Joong Hyuk, a hero who’s virtually impossible to resist with his perfect looks and abilities. “I’m not typically drawn to roles that focus on just being attractive,” Lee Min Ho admitted.
He continued, “I gravitate toward characters who are relatable because of their flaws. But Yoo Joong Hyuk starts as this flawless ideal, so it was a bit intimidating. I was worried I wouldn’t meet the fans’ expectations.” Lee Min Ho humbly shared that he feels he only captured about 10% of the original character’s true essence from the novel.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet brings the beloved web novel to life with its impressive ensemble cast and gripping storyline. The film is set to hit theaters on July 23rd, and fans are eager to see how it translates the world they’ve been following online for so long.
