Director Kim Byung-woo, known for his work on 'Take Point' and 'The Terror Live', returns with the highly anticipated film 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet'.
'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' is a fantasy action movie where the world of a novel, which has been serialized for over a decade, becomes reality on the day it concludes. The story follows 'Kim Dokja', the novel's sole reader, who, along with the novel's protagonist 'Yoo Joonghyuk' and their allies, strives to survive in this now apocalyptic world. Directed by Kim Byung-woo, the film stars Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Min-ho, Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, Nana, and JISOO.
Director Kim Byung-woo captured the audience's attention with 'The Terror Live', a film that focuses on a single character in a confined space, delivering a breathtakingly immersive experience. Praised for its tense storyline, detailed character portrayal, and clear thematic consciousness, Kim quickly rose to prominence in the Korean film industry, earning the title of a monster rookie by sweeping four Best New Director awards at various film festivals. His subsequent work, 'Take Point', broke new ground in Korean action blockbusters with its unique subject and genre.
For the first time since his debut, Director Kim Byung-woo has taken on the challenge of directing a film based on a web novel. 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' boasts a solid fanbase with over 30 million views. The challenge lies in maintaining the essence of the original work while infusing it with his unique flair.
Director Kim Byung-woo described the unique appeal of 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' as "a story that encourages the audience to actively engage by asking themselves, 'What would I do in this situation?'"
In terms of direction, Kim Byung-woo focused on "maintaining a proper balance between reality and fantasy." While expanding all situations into a fantasy universe, he aimed to keep the notion of reality intact, which he considers the core aspect of his direction.
He added, "The most crucial aspect was figuring out how to properly build characters within the fantasy genre. Months before filming began, the cast gathered to discuss the screenplay, focusing on developing each character's narrative and emotions. It was also a significant challenge to utilize and convey the fantasy elements of the original work in a way that would be naturally accepted by the audience."
Kim remarked, "Although the title is 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet', ironically, the reader in the movie is never alone. It's a story about meeting allies in a changed world, banding together, and ordinary people uniting to overcome crises." He also shared that viewers will be on the edge of their seats, rooting for the 'reader' and his companions throughout the film.
'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' will be available in theaters nationwide on July 23.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)