The famed webtoon now feature film, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, has garnered massive attention for not only its otherworldly storytelling but also for its critically acclaimed cast. The bar has been set high, and the expectations of fans are even higher! The cast and director held a pre-screening in Seoul on July 15th and shared their experiences filming the film.
This fantasy action film follows Kim Dok Ja (Ahn Hyo Seop), the only person to have read the now-completed series “Ways to Survive the Apocalypse.” On the day the novel series concluded, something extraordinary happens: the fictional chaotic world becomes reality and Kim Dok Ja finds himself face-to-face with the very hero he once idolized, Yoo Jung Hyuk (Lee Min Ho). The fantasy-packed story features a variety of characters played by well-known talents like Nana, Chae Soo Bin, and Shin Seung Ho who brought the diverse personalities and dynamics from the webtoon to life.
Now, the cast met with ZAPZEE to share their thoughts about filming such an extraordinary adventure, how they engaged with their characters on and off-set, plus their excitement to begin promotions in North America. Watch the official video interview and see what they had to say about filming Omniscient Reader: The Prophet below.
Lee Min Ho maintained a massive global fanbase for years – how does it feel to now bring a high-energy fantasy film to North American audiences? What surprised you the most about your role in this film?
Lee Min Ho: I’ve been connecting with my fans mostly through dramas for a long time. I think this movie’s genre is not a common one, so I’m curious to see the reaction of North American fans. Because the level of difficulty for filming this movie was quite high, I wonder if my experiences will be conveyed through the film and how viewers will perceive it. I can’t predict their reactions, so I look forward to hearing from them.
This is Ahn Hyo Seop’s first major fantasy action role. How did you prepare for the mystical elements of your character?
Ahn Hyo Seop: I think fans will find the action-fantasy story elements to be far-fetched, but we thought it was important to keep the story grounded as much as possible. At the center of this story is the character Kim Dok Ja, and he guides audiences to follow and root for him. So, I tried to portray him as ordinary and relatable as possible, like a normal everyday kind of fellow. That was my biggest challenge. It isn’t about saying what kind of person he is, but rather looking back at his past and understanding the person he is now. Fans can realize, “Ah, he is like this because of his past.” I discussed this in-depth with the director. The most important element was that everyone could be and feel like Kim Dok Ja.
Our North American audiences are more familiar with Chae Soo Bin playing more docile roles. Now, as Yoo Sang Ah, you protect others in the apocalyptic world. How do you feel about this role reversal?
Chae Soo Bin: I really thought of Yoo Sang Ah as a character with great inner strength. The role change didn’t feel drastically different from ones I’ve done before, but I was worried about these factors during fight scenes with other strong characters. I was worried I’d come off as a character who couldn’t do anything. However, due to her inner strengths, she could help support characters when they got hurt or needed to regain their strength. That was an element I ultimately enjoyed about her. It felt very new to me.
Nana was given a powerful and essential character – the “sword”. Please share with us your memorable moments or challenges you experienced while filming.
Nana: The most unforgettable part for me was when the team members joined forces to film major scenes in one long take. The scenes where we coordinated so much in one shot really stuck with me. Working with so many people and sharing so many memories with the cast, even breathing in sync together just to make the film happen, these moments were really thrilling as we relied on each other a lot. We received a lot of energy from each other, so I feel this kind of experience will be hard to come by again in the future. It was a very precious experience and remains a special memory for me.
Shin Seung Ho’s character is portrayed as a muscle-head who would survive anything. Did you feel the same when playing this role? How did you prepare for such a character?
Shin Seung Ho: As mentioned, the character Lee Hyun Sung outwardly has strength and powerful energy that emanates even when he is standing still. Personally, if I could use a metaphor to portray him, the character is like a big rock embedded in a mountain. Something unmovable and solid. My goal was to portray him that way, but I’m unsure if it was successful or not. In reality, as I kept going, I became so immersed I felt as if I were really Lee Hyun Sung, putting my whole strength into it. I gave it my all as if I were working out and doing weight training, lifting, pulling, using all my strength. By the end of the shoot, my body and hands were shaking, so I think it was a sign that I gave it my all.
The cast thought deeply and shared many stories about their individual roles and experiences. After, the members enjoyed sharing their opinions on each other’s characters while laughing amongst themselves, they satisfied our curiosity even further and answered our final questions.
>> Ahn Hyo Seop and Lee Min Ho’s ‘Omniscient Reader: The Prophet’ Pre-Sold in 113 Countries
What is something special we can look forward to in the film?
Ahn Hyo Seop: There is a slogan we use in the film, “A story I like has become reality.” It’s one of the lines that really stayed with me. When the protagonist first enters that unreal world, that turning point was the most important and meaningful to me. I thought this was the scene that would really draw in audiences, too. So, I hope they enjoy this part.
If you could play a different role, which character would you like to be and why?
Lee Min Ho: I would have picked the villain, but after hearing what Shin Seung Ho said, I would want to play his character. I want to experience being a rock. A really strong character that radiates strength and resilience. I think it would be fun!
Nana: I would want to be Kim Dok Ja. I wonder what it would feel like to know everything. What kind of choices would I make? It seems like it would be fun.
Ahn Hyo Seop: I would play Yoo Jung Hyuk. Flying around and being a strong character, I want to experience that freedom. I think Kim Dok Ja looked up at Yoo Jung Hyuk and wondered the same thing.
Shin Seung Ho: I want to be Yoo Sang Ah so I could try shooting arrows. Can Chae Soo Bin show me how to shoot them?
Chae Soo Bin: If I could have an ability, I would want to communicate with others in a sensational way like how Giryeong did.
Who is your favorite character in the film and why?
Lee Min Ho: The dragon. Ever since I was young, I loved playing games as a kid so I like this character.
Chae Soo Bin: I like Bihyung.
Shin Seung Ho: For me, I’ll pick ‘Ichthyosauria’ because I like water.
In the end, there were many moments, characters, and plots from the film that the cast reflected on in a loving manner. Without spoiling too much, the interview sheds light on the magical world fans can anticipate seeing in theaters soon. What did you think of the cast interview and their fun-filled stories so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to mark your calendars for the release of this fantasy thriller!
Alongside its Korean release on July 23rd, the movie is hitting theaters across Asia, North America, and Europe—including rare theatrical releases in countries like Germany, where Korean cinema traditionally sees limited screens. The global release schedule kicks off July 23rd in Taiwan, followed by Indonesia on July 30th, then Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand on July 31st. August 1st brings releases in the United States, Canada, and Vietnam, with Cambodia following on August 5th and the Philippines on August 6th.
