In a recent interview for Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, actor Lee Min-ho reflected on his decade-long hiatus from cinema and the immense responsibility of portraying Yu Jung-hyeok, one of the most iconic characters in Korean webfiction.
Opening in theaters on July 23, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet is based on the best-selling webnovel and webtoon that follows a reader thrust into the world of a dystopian novel. Lee Min-ho plays the in-universe protagonist Yu Jung-hyeok, a solitary hero cursed to loop through apocalyptic timelines in an endless fight for survival.
“Honestly, it feels like a lot of pressure,” Lee confessed when discussing his return to film. “Movies have a clear metric for success ticket sales. So it feels like I’m waiting to be judged.”
Despite continued success in dramas like Pachinko, Lee explained that he deliberately delayed his return to film. “In my 20s, I realized the movies I truly loved were emotionally deep and weighty. I didn’t want to rush into that space too early.”
His choice of Omniscient Reader stemmed from its powerful message about unity in an increasingly isolated world. “It felt like a microcosm of society,” he said. “I thought it could deliver a meaningful message.”
But stepping into the shoes of Yu Jung-hyeok was daunting. The character is portrayed as a flawless hero strong, stoic, and intelligent. “That was the biggest hurdle,” Lee admitted. “The expectations are enormous.”
He tackled the role by focusing on the character’s emotional burden rather than just his strength. “People kept saying how cool he was, but when I read the script, I thought he’s desperate. The more desperation we showed, the more believable it would be.”
Director Kim Byung-woo, known for The Terror Live, cast Lee for his ability to bring gravity to fantastical lines. Lee took that responsibility seriously, noting, “Jung-hyeok had to carry the weight of the world. That’s what I concentrated on.”
Lee Min-ho’s portrayal aims to go beyond charisma, diving deep into a character tormented by time and solitude. With the film’s release approaching, fans are eager to see if this performance will mark a new cinematic era for the beloved star.