Why Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Min Ho's 'Omniscient Reader' chose theaters over OTT — Director Kim explains
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Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy follows Kim Dok Ja, a man trying to save the world that has suddenly changed to match the contents of the novel he was reading.
The K-movie is led by Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Min Ho, Chae Soo Bin, Shin Seung Ho, Nana, Ji Soo, and Kwon Eun Seong.
The K-movie has been drawing attention not only for its star-studded cast but also for its choice of distribution. With the rise of OTT platforms dominating the entertainment industry, many wondered why this blockbuster wasn't released as a series. Director Kim Byung-woo recently addressed this very question, shedding light on the reasoning behind the decision to pursue a theatrical release over an OTT format.
Director Kim Byung Woo showers praise on Ahn Hyo Seop: 'He never used a stand-in'
Director Kim cast Ahn Hyo Seop, who has no prior experience acting in films, in the lead role of Kim Dok Ja. Ahn previously revealed in an interview, "When I asked the director about the reason for casting me, he said it was because I am 'very ordinary [looking].'"
When asked about it, director Kim said, "Of course, when you first see Ahn Hyo Seop, you wouldn't immediately describe him as ordinary," and added, "When I was thinking about how to bring to life the character of Kim Dok Ja, I wanted someone who could embody both 'universality' and 'distinctiveness' at the same time. I watched many of Ahn Hyo Seop's previous works, observed his acting, and also had conversations with him. At that time, I thought he would be able to express that universality well. Also, he is very diligent. The fact that he worked consistently throughout the shoots was another big part of his appeal."
Ahn Hyo Seop has also been on the popularity rankings list for voicing the lead character Jin Woo in the Netflix animated film K-Pop: Demon Hunters.
Regarding the actor's rising popularity, director Kim expressed, "It's amazing that he's receiving such recognition just for his voice. I feel proud," and added, "But honestly, that's all thanks to Ahn Hyo Seop's own efforts. If Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy benefited from that in any way, then we're simply lucky. Ahn Hyo Seop is really excellent. He works so hard, and he never once used a stand-in. He did everything himself."
He added, "When it comes to action scenes, we adjusted things together with the actors on set, but Ahn Hyo Seop never once said, 'I don't think I can do this.' Whether it was action or any other aspect of his performance, he prepared thoroughly and gave his best until the very end."
Director Kim on why he didn't opt for OTT release for Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy
Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy is produced by Realies Pictures, the production company behind the ten-million-ticket hit Along with the Gods. Elaborating on the expectations that were on him, director Kim Byung Woo said, "CEO Won Dong Yeon, having gained experience through Along with the Gods, specifically asked me to work on the script with even greater care and attention."
Unlike the original work, this adaptation has also drawn attention for significantly reducing the presence of the behind-the-scenes forces that assist the protagonists.
"The story covered in the film corresponds to the early part of the original novel," and added, "If there is a sequel, I believe those elements can be explored then," hinting at the possibility of a second installment.
When asked, "How many installments did you originally plan?" he answered, "At first, we planned for five films. But at the moment, it's hard to say anything definite about future plans. I just hope the film will be well-received so that a sequel can happen."
As for the reason why it won't be released through an OTT platform, he explained, "As you know, the production cost of Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy is 30 billion won. And there's a production budget ceiling per episode for series. Considering that limit, we felt it would be difficult to deliver an experience that audiences could fully enjoy, so we decided to release it as a theatrical film rather than as an OTT series."
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