When an ensemble of top-tier stars like Lee Min Ho, Ahn Hyo Seop, Chae Soo Bin, and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo come together, expectations soar, and that’s exactly what’s happening with the much-anticipated film adaptation of the best-selling web novel Omniscient Reader: The Prophet. The project, buzzing with star power and an already devoted fanbase thanks to the popularity of the source material, is preparing for its big screen debut. At the center of this cinematic universe is Lee Min Ho, who steps into one of the most complex roles of his career.
In the film, Lee Min Ho plays Yoo Joong Hyuk, the main protagonist from the serialized novel. Yoo Joong Hyuk is a battle-hardened warrior, someone who relives a cycle of apocalypses in an alternate reality that mirrors the content of the novel. As a fictional character whose world becomes real, he endures isolation and an unending fight for survival. His dynamic with Ahn Hyo Seop’s character, Kim Dok Ja, is anything but smooth at first. Their initial meeting is marked by conflict, as both characters wrestle for dominance over a story that neither fully controls. Lee Min Ho revealed in an interview with The Korea Herald that portraying such a complex, CGI-heavy role was both physically and emotionally demanding. He admitted, “I’ll be honest, it was lonely and desolate,” referring to the experience of acting against green screens with few human interactions.
Despite the popularity of the novel giving him a clear framework, Lee Min Ho expressed that filming wasn’t as straightforward as fans might expect. The constantly shifting dynamics between characters—and the challenge of playing a figure who begins as an enemy to many and evolves in unpredictable ways—made the process mentally taxing. One such twist involves his on-screen connection to BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, who plays Lee Ji Hye. Their visual pairing has already generated buzz, but Lee Min Ho revealed that even he was unsure of their storyline’s trajectory. “I honestly had no idea how we were even connected,” he said, pointing out the fragmented way scenes were shot and how much of the plot remained hidden from him during production.
These complications reflect the intricate narrative of Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, where fiction and reality blur, and where characters’ roles evolve beyond anyone’s predictions—including the actors’. The movie has generated massive interest, not only because of its high-profile cast but also due to its unusual storytelling and high-stakes drama. With its premiere slated for July 23, fans of the novel and the cast are brimming with excitement, eager to see how this ambitious adaptation brings such a layered universe to life on the big screen.
