Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy Film an extension of web novel's universe, says director

Film-maker Kim Byung-woo's main concern was making a good movie, rather than worrying about whether fans would cry foul

- John Lui

South Korean film-maker Kim Byung-woo, director of South Korean fantasy Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, was not going to let a passionate fan base paralyse him creatively.

His first concern was making a good movie rather than worrying about whether followers of the source material – the popular web novel Omniscient Reader (2018 to 2020), with more than 200 million views globally – would cry foul if it failed to be a faithful adaptation.

“If I think about too many elements of the web novel, then the film wouldn’t be good or meaningful. My first priority was to make this a very entertaining film for the audience,” says Kim, who also co-wrote the screenplay.

He was speaking through an interpreter to The Straits Times at a press event at Marina Bay Sands on July 29. He and lead actors Ahn Hyo-seop and Lee Min-ho were in town to promote the film, which is showing in cinemas.

Positive fan reactions can push a live-action movie derived from a webtoon, web novel, anime or manga to box-office success, as with South Korean fantasy film