The original author of 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet,' Sing-shong, expressed satisfaction with the film adaptation.
On the 24th, the film 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' (directed by Kim Byeong-woo, provided by Lotte Entertainment and Smilegate, distributed by Lotte Entertainment, produced by Realies Pictures, co-produced by MYM Entertainment, SmilegateRealies, and The Present Company, abbreviated as 'Omniscient Reader') revealed a Q&A with the original author, Sing-shong.
The film 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' is an adaptation of the popular web novel of the same name, which has been serialized for over 10 years. On the day the novel was completed, the world within the novel becomes reality, and the only reader, 'Kim Dok-ja' (Ahn Hyo-seop), along with the protagonist 'Yu Joong-hyuk' (Lee Min-ho) and his companions, embarks on a fantasy action movie to survive in a collapsed world. It is currently being screened across the country and has particularly held the top spot in ticket reservations for six consecutive days while dominating the box office, rewriting the summer cinema landscape. The original author’s praise for the film adds significance.
Below is the full Q&A with Sing-shong, the author of 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet.'
Q1. I am curious about your thoughts when the proposal for a film adaptation came in. What was the decisive reason for your agreement to the adaptation?
I was quite bewildered when the proposal for the film first came in. At that time, I was a newcomer, and I never imagined I would receive a proposal for a film, rather than for a drama or animation. Since adapting the original work into live action carries significant risks, I was initially reluctant, but upon hearing who the director was, I agreed to the contract without hesitation. I enjoyed Director Kim Byeong-woo's 'The Terror Live.'
Q2. I am curious about your impressions after seeing the visualized results of the creatures depicted in the novel, such as goblins and eel dragons.
In fact, the creatures appearing in the film are somewhat different from what I imagined. I think there were several challenging points in the process of adapting them into live action. While the original creatures evoked a sense of 'horror', the creatures in the film lean more towards a feeling of 'mystique'. I believe the creatures have appealed to a wider audience.
Q3. Was there a scene that you particularly liked?
It is difficult to single out a specific scene that stood out due to the remarkable performances of the actors. However, personally, I like the opening scene. Among the crowd, Kim Dok-ja walks toward the audience, and initially, he is not noticeable due to the sheer number of people. I find it interesting that the film starts with the question, 'Who is Kim Dok-ja?'
Q4. Were there any characters from the original work that left a strong impression when brought to the screen?
Personally, I found the portrayal of the character Lee Gil-young in the film quite unique. He is depicted with a slightly different personality than in the original work, which made me think that there could be a cute Lee Gil-young like that in another universe. In fact, I encountered actor Kwon Eun-sung, who played Lee Gil-young, in the restroom, but I doubt he knew who I was. I briefly felt like I had become a star.
Q5. The web novel has become a megahit IP, loved by many, being adapted into a webtoon and now a film. What do you think is the reason people love this work so much?
I often think about this, but I believe we were lucky. At some point, there was a coincidence in the demand for a certain story, and we happened to write that story, and fortunately, good people read it together with us. It is because of the fans who loved the story that 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' exists today. It is a lifelong debt. I am always grateful.
Q6. Was there a message you wanted to convey through the work, and do you think it was well realized in the film?
The message of the original work and the film differs in its trajectory. To express it, the original is about 'story' or 'reading' itself, and utilizing the aspects that can only be implemented through text led to some awkward points when it was made into a movie. I believe they considered that point during production. Thus, in the film, they seemed to focus on the messages that could be conveyed within two hours rather than the themes dealt with in the web novel. I think the adaptation is a meaningful attempt since it is a reinterpretation of the original.
Q7. Do you have any words for the readers who passionately supported and read the web novel, and for the audience who will watch 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' in the film?
I visited the film set just once. In the large set, numerous staff members were working hard to produce a single scene. The cameras were rolling, and the actors were performing the same scene over and over. They repeated the same scene, and then repeated it again, and again. Suddenly, I realized that what appeared to be the same scene was, in fact, all different scenes. Just as Yu Joong-hyuk's life, which repeated regressions, was actually all 'different lives.'
Watching the actors repeat scenarios to reach a single conclusion, and seeing the staff laboring over a story in which no one can be sure what constitutes 'complete perfection,' I reflected on Yu Joong-hyuk, who repeats endless regressions, and Kim Dok-ja, who observes that story.
Like most creators do, we also feel some regret about the elements in the film that differ from the original work. However, when that thought arises, I recall the filming set we saw that day. Some stories are difficult to assess irrespective of their completed form, and I believe this movie has left such a meaning for me. Just as Kim Dok-ja supports Yu Joong-hyuk of the 'Destruction Law,' I also support this film with similar feelings.
I believe that for readers who have read the original work in advance, this film will offer an experience of re-reading 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' from a new perspective. For audiences encountering this universe for the first time, it will be remembered as a unique and new cinematic experience. I hope for your continued support. Thank you.
[Photo] Provided by Lotte Entertainment.
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