During a press interview held in Jongno, Seoul on July 17, Director Kim Byung-woo reflected on Omniscient Reader: The Prophet’s journey ahead of its July 23 release.
Based on a globally popular web novel, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet follows the sole reader of a 10-year-long novel who suddenly finds its fictional world becoming reality. The protagonist, Kim Dokja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), joins forces with the novel’s actual hero Yoo Joong-hyuk (played by Lee Min-ho) and other allies to survive the apocalypse.
Speaking about casting decisions, Kim expressed full confidence in Lee Min-ho, stating,
“Who else could deliver lines like his? He creates an entire genre with just his presence. He’s the only actor who could bring this to life even without CGI or effects.”
Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo plays Lee Ji-hye, a character who appears midway through the film. On her casting, Kim explained: “Since the character appears later, we needed someone instantly recognizable—someone who would make audiences go, ‘Wait, who’s that?’”
Addressing the criticism over Jisoo’s acting skills, Kim admitted awareness of the debate but stood by his choice: “Yes, I’m aware of the concerns. But even that was part of a good casting decision. Had it not been Jisoo in the role, it could’ve easily gone unnoticed.”
In the original novel, Lee Ji-hye is backed by a mystical lineage connected to Admiral Yi Sun-sin. However, in the film, she’s seen wielding modern firearms—an update that some fans have taken issue with. Responding to the backlash, Kim said:
“We were aware that fans of the original work might be critical. We did our best to minimize discomfort, but may have missed a few details. The gun was intended to differentiate her from sword-wielding characters in the film.”
When asked about the original author’s reaction, Kim shared with a smile:
“They said it was very entertaining. We even get together for jajangmyeon from time to time.”
Though opinions on Jisoo’s acting remain divided, Kim Byung-woo’s remarks highlight a deliberate approach to casting—one that prioritized presence, familiarity, and narrative impact. Whether audiences will agree remains to be seen when Omniscient Reader: The Prophethits theaters on July 23.