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Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lee Min-ho's curious antihero turn
The K-drama superstar returns to cinema after a decade to play a central figure who barely shows up Lee Min-ho needs no introduction in Korea's entertainment world. Since his breakout as the imperious, poodle-permed Gu Jun-pyo in "Boys Over Flowers" at 22, he's cornered the market on romantic leads: the tortured chaebol in "The Heirs," the morally ambiguous mogul in "Pachinko," the starry-eyed astronaut in the recent flop "When the Stars Gossip." Always the hero, always front and center. But for a star who's built his career on main character energy, this latest role marks a left turn. In "Omniscient Reader: The Prophet," a genre-blending fantasy epic hitting theaters Wednesday, Lee plays Yoo Joong-hyuk — a battle-hardened warrior stuck in an endless loop, dying and restarting the apocalypse like it's just another Tuesday. He stalks the edges of the film in a leather coat, glowering at Ahn Hyo-seop's earnest everyman who's trying to save the world armed only with decency and determination. 'I'll be honest, it was lonely and desolate,' Lee says, speaking to reporters at a coffee shop in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, Thursday. 'If you think about it, this is the protagonist of protagonists. Normally when we talk about a main character, we build their emotional arc throughout the film. My biggest challenge was figuring out how to fill those gaps convincingly.' It's not just the brooding, hard-to-like character that makes this turn stand out. As the first installment in what producers hope will become a franchise based on a hit web novel of the same title, director Kim Byung-woo had to compress the sprawling plotlines for the screen. Yoo Joong-hyuk took the biggest hit. He barely shows up, speaks a handful of lines and arrives without a backstory or context. Viewers are given almost no clues as to who he is or why he matters. Even his supposed bond with protege Ji-hye, played by Blackpink's Jisoo — the kind of pairing fans would line up to see — was a mystery to Lee. 'I honestly had no idea how we were even connected,' he says with a laugh. 'I was flying blind." Still, at 38 and on his fourth feature film, Lee speaks like someone no longer worried about screen time. 'I try to go straight for the essence,' he says. 'When I first met the director, we spent 80 percent of our time talking about Dok-ja (Ahn's character). The audience has to buy into him first. Only then does Yoo Joong-hyuk's presence start to make sense.' His approach: ditch the surface-level cool and focus on what the character contributes to the story. 'Reading the script, I couldn't find a single moment where the guy felt cool. Struggling through flaws and growing — that's usually what makes someone cool, but the film skips straight to the endpoint,' he says. 'So I had to ask: How does this one character carry the weight of the whole world-building?' That question took him to unexpected places. Yoo Joong-hyuk's endless loop of death and resurrection led Lee to reflect on mortality, memory and the trap of having too much experience. 'Most people probably dream of immortality,' he says. 'But would that really make you happy? I try not to let experience become the only lens I see the world through. That's how people get stuck. And Yoo Joong-hyuk is forced into experiences he never asked for, over and over. His only way to survive is ruthless efficiency.' Even the film's wild premise of a global apocalypse turned into a game show for sentient cosmic beings started to hit close to home. 'We're becoming more isolated as people, while everything gets more systematized,' he says. 'People shine when they're part of something bigger. And this whole live-streamed survival setup? That's our world too. Everything's about being louder, more extreme, competing for attention. It's the same story — just told through fantasy.' The stakes for "Omniscient Reader" are high. With a reported budget of 30 billion won and franchise hopes riding on its box office, the film faces the tricky task of winning over hardcore fans while also hooking newcomers who might be thrown by all the interdimensional jargon. Add to that the pressure of a sluggish post-pandemic box office — no Korean film this year has passed 4 million admissions — and this one needs at least 6 million to break even. Lee, for his part, seems unfazed. This return to film was a promise he made to himself in his twenties, and the numbers, he says, though important, aren't the point. 'Back then, I went to theaters for catharsis, looking for something meaningful. I told myself I'd wait until my thirties, when I'd have more to offer,' he says. 'Now I like these intense, compact, two-hour stories.' So what does he hope audiences will say? 'That it was fun.' He doesn't miss a beat. 'Simple is best. That one word says everything.'
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Interview: Lee Min-ho's curious antihero turn
The K-drama superstar returns to cinema after a decade to play a central figure who barely shows up Lee Min-ho needs no introduction in Korea's entertainment world. Since his breakout as the imperious, poodle-permed Gu Jun-pyo in "Boys Over Flowers" at 22, he's cornered the market on romantic leads: the tortured chaebol in "The Heirs," the morally ambiguous mogul in "Pachinko," the starry-eyed astronaut in the recent flop "When the Stars Gossip." Always the hero, always front and center. But for a star who's built his career on main character energy, this latest role marks a left turn. In "Omniscient Reader: The Prophet," a genre-blending fantasy epic hitting theaters Wednesday, Lee plays Yoo Joong-hyuk — a battle-hardened warrior stuck in an endless loop, dying and restarting the apocalypse like it's just another Tuesday. He stalks the edges of the film in a leather coat, glowering at Ahn Hyo-seop's earnest everyman who's trying to save the world armed only with decency and determination. 'I'll be honest, it was lonely and desolate,' Lee says, speaking to reporters at a coffee shop in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, Thursday. 'If you think about it, this is the protagonist of protagonists. Normally when we talk about a main character, we build their emotional arc throughout the film. My biggest challenge was figuring out how to fill those gaps convincingly.' It's not just the brooding, hard-to-like character that makes this turn stand out. As the first installment in what producers hope will become a franchise based on a hit web novel of the same title, director Kim Byung-woo had to compress the sprawling plotlines for the screen. Yoo Joong-hyuk took the biggest hit. He barely shows up, speaks a handful of lines and arrives without a backstory or context. Viewers are given almost no clues as to who he is or why he matters. Even his supposed bond with protege Ji-hye, played by Blackpink's Jisoo — the kind of pairing fans would line up to see — was a mystery to Lee. 'I honestly had no idea how we were even connected,' he says with a laugh. 'I was flying blind." Still, at 38 and on his fourth feature film, Lee speaks like someone no longer worried about screen time. 'I try to go straight for the essence,' he says. 'When I first met the director, we spent 80 percent of our time talking about Dok-ja (Ahn's character). The audience has to buy into him first. Only then does Yoo Joong-hyuk's presence start to make sense.' His approach: ditch the surface-level cool and focus on what the character contributes to the story. 'Reading the script, I couldn't find a single moment where the guy felt cool. Struggling through flaws and growing — that's usually what makes someone cool, but the film skips straight to the endpoint,' he says. 'So I had to ask: How does this one character carry the weight of the whole world-building?' That question took him to unexpected places. Yoo Joong-hyuk's endless loop of death and resurrection led Lee to reflect on mortality, memory and the trap of having too much experience. 'Most people probably dream of immortality,' he says. 'But would that really make you happy? I try not to let experience become the only lens I see the world through. That's how people get stuck. And Yoo Joong-hyuk is forced into experiences he never asked for, over and over. His only way to survive is ruthless efficiency.' Even the film's wild premise of a global apocalypse turned into a game show for sentient cosmic beings started to hit close to home. 'We're becoming more isolated as people, while everything gets more systematized,' he says. 'People shine when they're part of something bigger. And this whole live-streamed survival setup? That's our world too. Everything's about being louder, more extreme, competing for attention. It's the same story — just told through fantasy.' The stakes for "Omniscient Reader" are high. With a reported budget of 30 billion won and franchise hopes riding on its box office, the film faces the tricky task of winning over hardcore fans while also hooking newcomers who might be thrown by all the interdimensional jargon. Add to that the pressure of a sluggish post-pandemic box office — no Korean film this year has passed 4 million admissions — and this one needs at least 6 million to break even. Lee, for his part, seems unfazed. This return to film was a promise he made to himself in his twenties, and the numbers, he says, though important, aren't the point. 'Back then, I went to theaters for catharsis, looking for something meaningful. I told myself I'd wait until my thirties, when I'd have more to offer,' he says. 'Now I like these intense, compact, two-hour stories.' So what does he hope audiences will say? 'That it was fun.' He doesn't miss a beat. 'Simple is best. That one word says everything.'
Pink Villa
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Waiting for Gyeongdo: Park Seo Joon, Won Ji An's rom-com confirms December 2025 premiere, know character details
Waiting for Gyeongdo is a romantic comedy drama produced by JTBC that explores the silent struggles and complexities that often hide behind a facade of perfection. The series boasts a fresh on-screen pairing, with Park Seo Joon and Won Ji An starring as the leads. On June 27, the drama's production team made a major announcement regarding the premiere date, and it confirms that fans won't have to wait until next year to watch the series. Waiting for Gyeongdo: Plot and main character details In Waiting for Gyeongdo, Park Seo Joon will star as Lee Gyeong Do, a hardworking and grounded entertainment reporter of Dongwoon Ilbo. His life will take a dramatic turn when he encounters his ex-girlfriend Seo Ji Woo, portrayed by Squid Game 2 fame Won Ji An. Seo Ji Woo appears to be the picture of perfection as the second daughter of Jarim Apparel, but her life is far from flawless. Behind her glamorous facade, she struggles with the imperfections that others don't see. Having just emerged from a messy divorce marred by her husband's cheating, Seo Ji Woo's world is turned upside down when she runs into Lee Gyeong Do again. Their reunion sets the stage for a complex exploration of their past and present relationships. Waiting for Gyeongdo: release date The rom-com drama is set to premiere in December 2025. This 12-episode show is directed by King the Land's filmmaker Im Hyun Wook and penned down by Yoo Young Ah. Waiting for Gyeongdo: Supporting cast The supporting cast of Waiting for Gyeongdo includes Lee El, Lee Joo Young, Kang Ki Doong, and Jo Min Kook. Lee El, known for her role in When the Stars Gossip, will play Seo Ji Yeon, the older sister of Seo Ji Woo and the CEO of Jarim Apparel. Lee Joo Young will take on the role of Park Se Young, a director of an art academy and a friend of Seo Ji Woo. Kang Ki Doong will play the character of Park Se Young's husband, Cha Woo Sik. Jo Min Kook will star as Lee Jeong Min, who runs a used car business.
Pink Villa
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Park Bo Young, Park Jinyoung's Our Unwritten Seoul Ep 9-10 Release: Date, plot, when and where to watch, what to expect and more
Episode 9 of Our Unwritten Seoul aired today, June 15, 2025, and viewers are once again swept away by the drama's emotional intensity. As fans processed the latest developments in Yoo Mi Ji and Lee Ho Su's journey, excitement quickly turned into impatience. Many are now anxiously waiting for the next installment in this heartfelt K-drama. Thankfully, fans won't have to wait long. Episode 10 is set to air on Saturday, June 21, followed by Episode 11 on Sunday, June 22. With just a few episodes left in the season, anticipation is reaching an all-time high as the story races toward its climax. Streaming details Our Unwritten Seoul follows a compact 12-episode format, rolling out two episodes every week on weekends. The drama premiered on May 24, 2025, and will continue airing until its finale on June 29, 2025. Here's when and where to tune in: tvN (South Korea): Every Saturday & Sunday at 9:20 PM KST Netflix (International): Streams globally (including India) at 5:50 PM IST The scheduling allows fans worldwide to follow the storyline simultaneously. This creates a shared experience and weekly buzz across social media. What's the plot? Set against the backdrop of Seoul, Our Unwritten Seoul tells the compelling tale of twin sisters Yoo Mi Ji and Yoo Mi Rae. They are both portrayed by Park Bo Young. Though identical in appearance, the two couldn't be more different in personality. Their lives take an unexpected turn when a family crisis forces them to switch identities, throwing them into unfamiliar roles. As they navigate through confusion and deception, both sisters begin to see the world (and themselves) in a new light. Mi Ji, taking on her sister's identity, finds herself unexpectedly reunited with Lee Ho Su (played by GOT7's Park Jinyoung), a childhood friend and former classmate. The two share a history filled with memories from high school days in Duson: some cherished, others painful. Their reunion brings unspoken emotions bubbling to the surface, and the drama begins weaving a tale of unresolved love and personal healing. Director's comeback after lukewarm reception Directed by Park Shin Woo, the series marks a promising return for the filmmaker following the mixed reviews of his previous 2025 Netflix project, When the Stars Gossip. With Our Unwritten Seoul, Park Shin Woo dives back into the genre he excels at: blending romance, introspection, and slice-of-life moments. He does so in a way that feels both intimate and universally relatable.
Pink Villa
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Han Ji Eun opens up on 'top star friend' Lee Min Ho, reveals 'thoughtful' side of When the Stars Gossip co-star
Han Ji Eun thrilled fans by opening up about her friendship with Lee Min Ho. Despite limited casual interactions beyond their drama When the Stars Gossip, and it's promotional events, the two actors, apparently formed a strong bond during filming. She recently shared more about their friendship, and about Lee Min Ho's kind demeanor on the June 11 episode of MBC's Radio Star. Lee Min Ho befriended Han Ji Eun during When the Stars Gossip's filming When the Stars Gossip co-actors Han Ji Eun and Lee Min Ho are just a year apart in age. So it was pretty evident why they bonded so quickly. Sharing the details of her first encounter with the Boys Over Flowers star, Han Ji Eun said, "Min Ho has such strong features, I thought it would be hard to approach him or become friends.' She admitted to initially walking on eggshells around him, but later he made her warm up to him. He broke her first impression of him and "turned out to be so down-to-earth," as per her. She recounted the cast dinner after their first script reading session, when Lee Min Ho asked to be friends with her. She mentioned him casually saying "We're the same age, let's be friends." That made it super easy for them to vibe and they quickly became tight on set. Han Ji Eun appreciated Lee Min Ho's considerate nature Han Ji Eun further heaped praises on Lee Min Ho's personality, revealing that he often took the initiative to plan casual get-togethers, even in the absence of official wrap parties. "He would book restaurants and invite everyone after shoots — really thoughtful," she elaborated, highlighting his considerate nature. It made When the Stars Gossip cast and crew bond better, leading to natural-flowing chemistry on set. Although When the Stars Gossip wrapped up its finale with a modest 2.6% viewership rating and fell short of expectations given its hefty 50 billion KRW production budget, Han Ji Eun cherished the personal connection she made, sweetly remarking. "Even though the drama didn't do well, I got a top star friend out of it," she said.
