Latest news with #OmniscientReader:TheProphecy
Straits Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Omniscient Reader Director on Adapting Web Novel Without Fan Pressure
Blackpink's Jisoo (left) plays warrior Lee Ji-hye in the fantasy film Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, which is directed by Kim Byung-woo. SINGAPORE – South Korean film-maker Kim Byung-woo, director of South Korean fantasy Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, was not going to let a passionate fan base paralyse him creatively. His first concern was making a good movie rather than worry about whether followers of the source material – the popular web novel Omniscient Reader (2018 to 2020), with more than 200 million views globally – would cry foul if it failed to be a faithful adaptation. 'If I think about too many elements of the web novel, then the film wouldn't be good or meaningful. My first priority was to make this a very entertaining film for the audience,' says Kim, who also co-wrote the screenplay. He was speaking through an interpreter to The Straits Times at a press event at Marina Bay Sands on July 29. He and lead actors Ahn Hyo-seop and Lee Min-ho were in town to promote the film, which is showing in cinemas. Positive fan reactions can push a live-action movie derived from a webtoon, web novel, anime or manga to box-office success, as with South Korean fantasy film Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) and its 2018 sequel. They were adapted from a 2010 webtoon. The opposite happens when fans rall y to pour online scorn. That fate met Hollywood's 2017 take on the seminal manga Ghost In The Shell (1989 to 1991), with celebrated anime versions already existing. It also happened to Netflix's live-action adaptations Death Note (2017) and Cowboy Bebop (2021), both sourced from anime and manga. While the quality of the films was judged to be poor by most viewers, the fervent online campaign waged by fans of the source materials helped put a nail in the coffin of the idea of sequels. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump modifies reciprocal tariffs ahead of deadline; rate on Singapore likely to remain at 10% Singapore PM Wong to deliver National Day message on Aug 8 Singapore Data breach involving Cycle & Carriage Singapore customer details under probe Singapore Man charged over kicking woman's face in Teck Whye Lane flat, leading to her death Singapore 'For one last time, let's go home': Tears, laughs as last scheduled Jetstar Asia flight touches down Singapore Over half of job applications by retrenched Jetstar Asia staff led to offers or interviews: CEO Life The Projector to leave Cineleisure for return to Golden Mile Tower Singapore 3 men charged over living on the earnings of prostitution Kim, 45, says he did what he felt was best for his movie adaptation. 'I know that there could be some concerns from fans of the original web novel when adapting a story into a screenplay, but just because we have the screen adaptation of the novel, it doesn't mean that it's going to undermine or change anything about the original work,' he adds. In keeping with the web novel's idea of a multiverse, he says t he novel and the movie can co-exist without one being considered superior to, or a replacement for, the other. 'T he audiences will be able to enjoy this fil m m ore if they see it as another version of the original web novel, as an extension of the universe created by th e a uthor,' he says. In Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, Kim Dok-ja (Ah n) is an office worker who becomes the only reader of a fading web novel, Three Ways To Survive The Apocalypse. He is disappointed by the novel's conclusion but is chastised by the author, who tells him to write his own ending. Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy actors Ahn Hyo-seop (left) and Lee Min-ho (right) with director Kim Byung-woo at the press event at Marina Bay Sands. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Suddenly, he and everyone else on Earth are swept into an alternate reality in which the cataclysmic events of the novel happen, where Dok-ja meets the novel's hero Yu Jung-hyeok ( Lee ). A rmed with the knowledge of the future, Dok-ja must win a series of trials – including fighting deadly creatures – to escape this new reality. This is director Kim's first attempt at a web novel adaptation, having made action thriller The Terror Live (2013) and military thriller Take Point (2018). The element that drew him to his latest project was that the novel engaged readers by frequently placing them at strategic and moral crossroads – should they copy their favourite book's story for a surefire win or pick a riskier unknown option that can save more people? 'As a reader, it got me to think about what I would do in Dok-ja's position. The novel wasn't a simple story about a dystopian end of the world. It felt very interactiv e, ' he says. From pixels to pictures: Webtoons, web novels, anime and manga take over the big screen Here are the upcoming films that have their roots in East Asian comics, animation or online novels. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Infinity Castle (Aug 14) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Infinity Castle is the first film of a trilogy that covers the final arc of the manga. PHOTO: SONY PICTURES The Japanese fantasy animated movie series is based on a manga that first appeared in 2016. It was followed by an anime series (2019 to 2024) that made the story a global hit. The story of teenager Tanjiro Kamado, who joins a corps of demon slayers after his family is slaughtered by demons, has spawned several hit movies. This film, the first of a trilogy that covers the final arc of the manga, has broken box-office records in Japan, becoming the fastest film to gross 10 billion yen (S$86.1 million yen). My Daughter Is A Zombie (Aug 28) Jo Jung-suk plays a dad whose daughter is infected by a zombie virus in My Daughter Is A Zombie. PHOTO: GOLDEN VILLAGE Based on a South Korean webtoon, this live-action drama tells the story of a devoted dad (Jo Jung-suk) who lives in a nation recovering from the devastation caused by a zombie virus. But he hides a dark secret: His daughter (Choi Yoo-ri) is infected. With society on guard against another outbreak, he must shield her from discovery. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (Sept 25) Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is set in a world where human fears come to life in the form of devils. PHOTO: SONY PICTURES In contrast with the other works of animation on the list, this Japanese movie is for adults only – it is gory and filled with dark, cynical humour. Based on an ongoing manga launched in 201 8, Chainsaw Man is set in a world where human fears come to life in the form of devils. Lead character Denji is a teenage orphan who hunts and kills evil creatures after he transforms into the human chainsaw chimera of the title. The Legend Of Hei 2 (August/September) The Legend Of Hei 2, an animated feature from China adapted from an online series, opens in Singapore in August or September. PHOTO: ENCORE FILMS Chinese artist MTJJ launched the story as an online flash animation in 2011. It gained cult status in China and, on the back of its success, a prequel film, The Legend Of Hei, was released in 2019. It went on to earn over $65 million worldwide, a strong number for a Chinese animation. The fantasy is set in a present-day China where spirits in human or animal forms exist. Humans and spirits live in an uneasy balance with one another. The protagonist Xiaohei is a black cat spirit in human form who has the power to summon matter-absorbing portals. In Hei 2, the once-idealistic and naive Xiaohei has matured and learns to lead other spirit warriors.
Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy Review – Korean Fantasy Action Movie Disappoints
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy (NC16) 117 minutes, opens July 31 ★★☆☆☆ The story: Kim Dok-ja (Ahn Hyo-seop) is an underachiever at everything. The office worker takes refuge in the web novel Three Ways To Survive The Apocalypse, but its dwindling popularity turns him into its only reader. When he posts a criticism of the final chapter, the author replies, challenging him to write his own ending. On his way home from work, the novel's monster-filled dystopian setting comes to life. He meets the novel's hero, Yu Jung-hyeok (Lee Min-ho). Helped by his knowledge of what is to come, Dok-ja and his allies have to fight their way to safety. This is a movie with plenty of ideas, but little coheres into a story. It does not help that the screenplay portrays contradictory themes. Dok-ja is jolted out of his mundane reality by a message instructing him to 'write his own story' – a call for him to use his free will. But instead of breaking out of a narrative written for him – in the manner of The Truman Show (1998) – Dok-ja exercises his new-found autonomy by fighting monsters with tricks he has picked up from the novel, but modified to suit the situation. In Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, this counts as freedom of thought. The world has been plunged into a dystopian science-fiction fantasy in which gods are spectators at sadistic human-versus-monster matches. This is Squid Game (2021 to 2025) on a planetary scale, but with the mechanics of live streaming laid over it. As humans fight for coins and loot, cosmic deities bestow treasure or special weapons on their favourite players – the way fans might drop gifts on a live streamer. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Business S'pore's Q2 total employment rises, but infocomm and professional services sectors see more job cuts Singapore Fewer than 1 in 5 people noticed suspicious items during MHA's social experiments Asia Powerful 8.8-magnitude quake in Russia's far east causes tsunami; Japan, Hawaii order evacuations Singapore Migrant workers who gave kickbacks to renew work passes were conservancy workers at AMK Town Council Business Seatrium to pay $168m to Brazilian authorities, $73m to Singapore authorities to settle corruption case Singapore Man charged with having 320 vape pods and over 70 vapes meant for sale in car at Bugis mall Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Plenty of world-building is needed to fully explain the goings-on, with much of it delivered through unwieldy blocks of dialogue. At one point, the story perks up when it subverts the Chosen One trope. It begins to say that classic sci-fi heroes like Jung-hyeo k are narcissists, but the thread is not satisfyingly pursued. This is a complicated landscape that blends the virtual, low-stakes language of video gaming with high-stakes survival action-horror. The herald of doom who explains the rules of the brutal new world is a cute Dokkaebi, or Korean goblin, an adorable sprite whose design might have been plucked from a Pixar movie. The sardonic comedy which sees survivors ripped apart for want of game coins, when juxtaposed against the grim battles waged by Dok-ja and his allies, is jarring. The goofiness of one undermines the life-or-death stakes of the other. The use of arcade-style game graphics – neon colours, floating buttons – makes everything feel weightless, a feeling reinforced by the digitally crafted monsters which never feel like they belong in the same world as Dok-ja and his allies. Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy stars (from left) Shin Seung-ho, Kwon Eun-seon, Ahn Hyo-seop, Chae Soo-bin and Nana. PHOTO: GOLDEN VILLAGE This band of fighters is each blessed with a game-changing talent. The enigmatic warrior Jeong Hee-won is played by Nana from the K-pop girl group After School, while Blackpink's Jisoo portrays sniper Lee Ji-hye. They are each given neatly packaged backstories that explain their skills and motivations. But like the movie itself, the teammates never quite come together in a believable way. Hot take: Flashy visuals and game mechanics cannot save Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy from muddled storytelling and hollow character dynamics.
News18
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Is Lee Min Ho Using BLACKPINK Star Jisoo's Fame To Promote Omniscient Reader?
Lee Min Ho revealed that if the world of Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy ever became real, he would choose BLACKPINK's Jisoo as his ally. Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy was one of the highly anticipated projects of 2025. Based on a popular web novel and starring big names like Lee Min Ho, Ahn Hyo Seop, Chae Soo Bin and Jisoo, the film was expected to be a massive hit. But that did not happen. Made on a budget of $21 million, the box office collection of Omniscient Reader, which was released in theatres on July 23, is slower than expected. Amid the setback, the two lead actors, Lee Min Ho and Ahn Hyo Seop, attended a press conference in Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, the film's first and only international stop for promotions, on Tuesday, July 29. Omniscient Reader's director Kim Byung Woo was also present. At the event, the duo interacted with reporters and shared their experience about working on the movie. When the trio was asked which character they would want as their ally if ever the movie's world turned into a reality, they unanimously answered Lee Ji Hye, a resilient warrior who was played by BLACKPINK's Jisoo. Lee Min Ho shared the reason behind his selection, revealing that it's not her skill set for which he would want her as an ally, but to listen to her songs. He said, 'Instead of her weapon, I'll listen to her songs. Her music will be the biggest power to me." Ahn Hyo Seop agreed, saying that she would be the best partner. After the duo's remarks surfaced on social media, Jisoo's fans started criticising the actors. Why? Because fans were excited to watch their favourite actor-singer in the film, as her picture was heavily featured on the movie's poster. But to their disappointment, she only had a small role, which almost seemed like a cameo. Hence, her fans are now accusing the team of Omniscient Reader of using Jisoo's fame to promote the film. How Jisoo's Fans Reacted To Lee Min Ho And Ahn Hyo Seop's Remarks? 'No Jisoo in the promo—but sure, mention her anyway. Gotta beg for clicks somehow," said one fan. No Jisoo in the promo—but sure, mention her anyway. Gotta beg for clicks somehow Another wrote, 'Let's put all the blame on the director for mentioning Jisoo just for clout. Love all the casts, no hate, but the way Jisoo just never being part of the film promotions just baffles me." 'Finally, they are talking about Jisoo…guess the media training has been done?" mentioned a different fan. Notably, Jisoo has been missing from the promotional events of Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy as she is on a world tour with her BLACKPINK members. First Published: July 30, 2025, 10:27 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
K-actor Ahn Hyo-seop says working with his idol Lee Min-ho on Omniscient Reader movie was ‘surreal'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox K-drama stars Ahn Hyo-seop (left) and Lee Min-ho at a press conference for the movie Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy at MBS on July 29. SINGAPORE – Rising star Ahn Hyo-seop had always viewed K-drama idol Lee Min-ho as a massive celebrity. 'I grew up watching all his shows – I'm a big fan. It's surreal to be on set with him,' Ahn tells The Straits Times in Korean through a translator in an interview at Marina Bay Sands. The 30-year-old Canadian actor was in town on July 29 with Lee, 38, and South Korean director Kim Byung-woo to promote their new fantasy action thriller movie Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, which is based on the popular South Korean web novel Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint created by duo singNsong. Office worker Kim Dok-ja (Ahn) suddenly finds himself in the apocalyptic world of his favourite web novel, Three Ways To Survive The Apocalypse. In a world where monsters are hunting humans, he has to bank on his knowledge of its storyline to fight for survival. Along the way, he teams up with the novel's characters, including the hero Yu Jung-hyeok (Lee). The movie, which opens in Singapore cinemas on July 31, also stars Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, singer Nana, child actor Kwon Eun-seong and K-pop girl group Blackpink's Jisoo. After getting over being starstruck, Ahn says it was easy to get into character, as Dok-ja is a big admirer of Jung-hyeok. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore Singapore Man on trial for raping woman who hired him to repair lights in her flat Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail Singapore ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help 'Like Dok-ja, I look up to Min-ho hyung (elder brother in Korean). There are many similarities,' says Ahn. During The Straits Times' interview with the pair, one can sense the respect Ahn has for his South Korean senior, whose career began in 2006. Lee became a household name through hit K-dramas such as Boys Over Flowers (2009), The Heirs (2013) and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020). He also starred in the US series Pachinko (2022 to 2024). Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy is Ahn's feature film debut, even though he first found fame through K-dramas such as Doctor Romantic 2 and 3 (2020 to 2023), Lovers Of The Red Sky (2021) and Business Proposal (2022). His popularity received an international boost, thanks to the hit Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters, in which he voices demon boy band leader Jinu. Ahn modestly downplays the attention he is receiving for that English-language role, explaining he signed up for the Sony Pictures Animation project because he thought it was 'very interesting'. Canadian actor Ahn Hyo-seop plays office worker Kim Dok-ja in Omniscent Reader: The Prophecy. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO He says: 'I never expected to get so much love and attention around the world, which makes me really happy and grateful.' The fact that KPop Demon Hunters highlights Korean culture makes him 'super proud' too. Following in Lee's footsteps to further his career in Hollywood may also be on the cards if the project interests him and the timing is right. Ahn Hyo-seop as Kim Dok-ja in Omniscent Reader: The Prophecy. PHOTO: GOLDEN VILLAGE 'I don't think it is an issue of language or country. As long as I'm attracted to the work, be it a drama or something else, whether it's in English or Korean, I would do it,' says Ahn. 'To me, the message is most important.' For most of the filming of Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, Lee did not mingle with his co-stars, as Jung-hyeok is primarily a lone ranger. South Korean actor Lee Min-ho plays lone warrior Yu Jung-hyeok in Omniscent Reader: The Prophecy. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO 'I'm not only alone and lonely on set, but this is also the first time I'm the oldest among the cast,' he says in Korean. Emotions ran high when Lee had the opportunity to watch them film their scenes. 'Like an older brother, I felt responsible for them, so I needed to do my best. They did a great job and I felt so proud of them.' Lee Min-ho as Yu Jung-hyeok in Omniscent Reader: The Prophecy. PHOTO: GOLDEN VILLAGE Standing at 1.87m tall worked in Lee's favour, as he needed to 'look cool and strong' on-screen . But for Ahn, his height of 1.88m became a hindrance of sorts. 'The director wanted me to look ordinary and not stand out in the crowd,' Ahn explains, adding that he frequently needed to learn to 'act smaller than I am'. Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy plays out like a video game, where humans need to 'level up' different skill sets in their fight against monstrous creatures. K-drama stars Ahn Hyo-seop (left) and Lee Min-ho at a press conference for the movie Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO When asked what abilities they wished to improve on to make themselves better, Ahn chooses wisdom, saying: 'I believe wisdom is essential for achieving happiness, which is one of the main purposes of living.' Adds Lee with a laugh: 'I want a God-given voice so that I can be an R&B singer.'
AsiaOne
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'I grew up watching him', says Ahn Hyo-seop on acting with Lee Min-ho in Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy , Entertainment News
South Korean actor Ahn Hyo-seop is making his debut on the big screens with the new movie Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, and during a press conference at Sands Expo & Convention Centre today (July 29), he said he's a fan of co-star Lee Min-ho. "It was really easy to act throughout the filming process because like how (my character) Kim Dok-ja admires and idolises (Min-ho's character) Yu Jung-hyeok, I feel the same about Min-ho. I grew up watching him act and watching his projects, so I was already his fan," said 30-year-old Hyo-seop. Dok-ja is an ordinary office worker and the only devoted reader of a little-known web novel. When the story's fictional apocalyptic world comes to life and its omnipotent hero Jung-hyeok appears before him, Dok-ja must use his knowledge of the story to write a new ending. Besides the two actors, director Kim Byung-woo is also here. Here come Lee Min-ho and Ahn Hyo-seop for the Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy.#LeeMinHo #AhnHyoSeop #OmniscientReader_TheProphet — AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) July 29, 2025 Singapore marks their first and only international promotional stop outside of South Korea. In the movie, Dok-ja is described as a "plain-looking person", and the host quipped that Hyo-seop isn't, asking if it was difficult to portray such a character. Laughing and shaking his head, he humbly said: "I don't think I'm that outstanding. Since the story talks about being ordinary, it made me question, 'What is being ordinary like in the world?' There are people who are tall, but there are also those who are short. "Some have prominent faces while others have plain ones. So, I was questioning myself, 'Who am I? Where do I belong?'" He concluded that he's ordinary: "If I consider myself outstanding or special, I thought that I wouldn't be able to start filming this movie." [[nid:720752]] Meanwhile, Jung-hyeok is described as someone with an "outstanding and beautiful face", and Min-ho, 38, said that's the hardest part about playing his character. "I believe that people should be defined by their internal self... I'm a very ordinary person internally, so knowing that, it was difficult to portray such an extraordinary character." Which character would Hyo-seop and Min-ho ally with if fiction became reality? Both of them chose machine gun-wielding Lee Ji-hye, because she's played by Blackpink's Jisoo. "Instead of using her weapon, I'll listen to her song. Her music will become the strongest power," Min-ho joked. Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, which also stars Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, Nana, and child actor Kwon Eun-seong, opens in Singapore cinemas on July 31. Hyo-seop, Min-ho and Byung-woo will make appearances at special screenings held at Golden Village Suntec City and Golden Village VivoCity today. Tickets are sold out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) syarifahsn@
