From its early stages, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet promised to be a landmark moment in Korean cinema. Adapted from a wildly popular web novel with over 200 million views, the film boasted an A-list cast, a thrilling survival fantasy premise, and an eye-watering production budget of 30 billion won.
But now, after two weeks in theaters, the buzz has turned bitter and Lee Min Ho ’s long-awaited film comeback is being labeled a missed opportunity.
A Loose Adaptation That Left Fans Cold
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet follows Kim Dok Ja, a solitary office worker who wakes up to find the world around him mirroring the fictional dystopia from his favorite web novel. He teams up with Yoo Joong Hyuk — the novel’s original protagonist — to survive the monstrous chaos.
Despite its epic setup, the film diverges heavily from the original plot, alienating its core fanbase. Drastic changes to major characters and events sparked immediate backlash, with many calling the adaptation a betrayal of the source material. “It feels like they never read the novel. Characters are unrecognizable,” one fan wrote online.
Still, the film offers high-paced action and stylish visuals, enough to satisfy casual moviegoers. But for those who expected depth, especially from a cast this strong, it falls short.
Lee Min Ho – A Star Dimmed by Weak Writing
Lee Min Ho plays Yoo Joong Hyuk, a character adored for his strength, complexity, and tragic depth in the novel. But the film version reduces him to a flat, emotionally muted figure — and the actor is clearly underutilized.
After a decade away from cinema, Lee Min Ho’s big-screen comeback needed impact. Instead, he’s given minimal dialogue, limited development, and no standout scenes. While he still shines in action sequences, his role offers nothing that pushes his range or evolves his image. “Lee Min Ho is still handsome. That’s all the role gives him to work with,” a review commented.
Compared to peers like Kim Soo Hyun and Park Seo Joon, who are pushing boundaries with challenging roles, Lee Min Ho appears stuck in a loop — playing aloof, pretty leads without emotional complexity.
Box Office Trouble
The numbers reflect the disappointment. According to Kobis, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet has sold just over 1 million tickets and earned 9.4 billion won as of August 4 — a poor return for a film that needs 6 to 7 million admissions to break even. With newer films dominating the box office, it’s on track to become one of the year’s biggest financial flops.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet isn’t a total disaster — it has some thrilling moments and visual flair. But it fails to deliver where it matters most: character, emotion, and staying true to the heart of its story. And in the process, Lee Min Ho’s long-awaited film return is tragically squandered.
To maintain his status in a fast-evolving industry, Lee Min Ho will need to step beyond safe, surface-level roles — and find scripts that challenge both him and his audience.
Sources: Znews