While July ends, the most discussed film in Korea is undoubtedly Omniscient reader: the prophetdirected by Kim Byung-Woo. With a production cost of 30 billion KRW, this high -level fantasy film has aroused a clear division in the viewers’ opinion. Some celebrate his bold scope and visual show, while fans of the original novel express a clear dissatisfaction.
Released on July 23, the film follows Kim Dok-Ja (Ahn Hyo-Seop), the only reader of a serialized web novel that suddenly becomes reality. While the real world collapses in chaos, it joins the main character of the story, Yoo Joong-Hyuk (Lee Min-Ho), undertaking a dangerous journey to remodel fate and prevent the end of the world.
Based on the extremely popular web novel by Sing Shong, Omniscient reader: the prophet It has a huge legacy behind it. With over 200 million views on Munpia and numerous adaptations between webtoon, games and animation, the material of origin is considered a pioneer of the stories of “constellation genre” with divine beings who shape human destiny.
With a cast with Chae Soo-Bin, Shin Seung-Ho, Nana and Jisoo and the production of the team behind Together with the godsThe expectations for the film were high.
But as with many adaptations, the film faces the double -edged sword of the familiarity of the public. Fans of the novel were more vocal in their criticismsnoting the arches of altered history and the dilution of the fundamental themes of the novel. Many argue that the simplified narrative of the film undermines the philosophical depth that made the book so loved.
On the contrary, The spectators for the first time embraced the originality and ambition of the filmBy praising its sequences full of action, the construction of the engaging world and the strong performances of the cast. The elements of tension and fantasy similar to the game offer rare visual surprise in Korean cinema.
This gap of spectators is not unexpected. Yet the story shows that it is not insurmountable – Together with the godsEven of Realies Pictures, he has passed such a similar backlash to become a great success at the box office.
In the most competitive and demanding market today, Omniscient reader: the prophet He has to fight not only the apocalypse within his history, but the heavy expectations outside of it. Only time will say if it can balance fans’ expectations with a wider charm, but has certainly aroused one of the most passionate cinematographic debates of this summer.
Daum
