Lee Min-ho, Ahn Hyo-seop to lead movie adaptation of ‘Omniscient Reader’

Clockwise from left: Actors Lee Min-ho, Shin Seung-ho, Park Ho-san, Nana, Jisoo and Chae Soo-bin are seen at a reading for “Omniscient Reader.” (Smilegate)

Actors Lee Min-ho and Ahn Hyo-seop have been cast as lead actors in the movie adaptation of “Omniscient Reader,” a popular web novel that has garnered 200 million views since 2018.

“Omniscient Reader” follows the story of Kim Dok-Ja (Ahn), whose world turns upside down when the novel he’s reading comes to life. In the new world, Kim is the only one who knows the story’s ending, which is why he must do everything in his power to change the course of the outcome with Yoo Jung-hyuk (Lee), the protagonist of the novel.

The movie will be helmed by director Kim Byung-woo of “The Terror Live” (2013) and “Take Point” (2018), while Realies Pictures will produce the film. The production company was behind the “Along with the Gods” series. The film is also the global entertainment group Smilegate's first-ever investment.

Besides Lee and Ahn, “The Fabulous” star Chae Soo-bin, “Mask Girl” lead Nana and “D.P.” actor Shin Seung-ho star as characters that appear in the novel, supporting Dok-ja’s journey to save the world. Blackpink member Jisoo will star as Ji-hye, a colleague of Jung-hyuk who joins their journey. The film will mark both Ahn and Jisoo’s cinematic debut. Jisoo appeared in a cameo role in last year’s “Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman.”

The shooting for “Omniscient Reader” began in December, and a release date has not yet been confirmed.

By Kim Da-sol(ddd@heraldcorp.com)