Imagine being the only person who’s read a forgotten web novel—until one day, its entire plot starts playing out in real life. That’s the thrilling hook of Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, one of this year’s most talked-about Korean summer releases.
Originally announced in 2019 as part of Munpia’s bold five-film plan, the adaptation has kept fans waiting through years of silence. After racking up a mind-blowing 2.5 billion views across its web novel and webtoon, this fantasy action epic finally hits theaters worldwide.
This fantasy thriller comes with a $22.5 million budget and a cast packed with stars like Lee Min Ho, Ahn Hyo Seop, Chae Soo Bin, Shin Seung Ho, Nana, and Jisoo. With the pressure on to revive Korea’s box office, all eyes are on the Omniscient Reader live adaptation to see if it turns a cult hit into a box office phenomenon.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet Release Date
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet will premiere in South Korea on July 31, 2025, just one day before its North American and Canadian release on August 1, 2025.
The film is also expected to roll out to other major markets in Asia and select European countries throughout August. Fans won’t have to wait long to see this adaptation bring the beloved web novel and webtoon to life on the big screen.
Plot Summary
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet is about Kim Dok Ja, an office worker who is obsessed with an old web novel called Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World. He is its only loyal reader, and the only person who knows how the story ends.
One day, the story comes true, monsters appear, society collapses, and survivors are forced into deadly “scenarios” watched by mysterious Constellations. As the novel’s only reader, Dok Ja knows secrets no one else does. He teams up with Yoo Jong Hyuk, the novel’s cold, powerful hero who can reset time after death.
Together, they fight to save what’s left of humanity, joined by allies who help them survive the impossible. Kim and Yoo are joined by Yoo Sang Ah (Chae Soo Bin), Lee Hyun Sung (Shin Seung Ho), Jung Hee Won (Nana), and Lee Ji Hye (Jisoo).
- Release Date: July 23, 2025 (South Korea) | August 1, 2025 (North America)
- Director: Kim Byung Woo
- Based on: Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint by Sing Shong
- Budget: 30 billion KRW ($22.5 million)
- Distributor: Lotte Entertainment (South Korea), Capelight Pictures (North America)
Cast & Characters
The main cast brings beloved characters to life:
- Ahn Hyo Seop (Business Proposal, Dr. Romantic 3) as Kim Dok Ja as the sole reader of a long-running fantasy novel who becomes the key to rewriting its ending.
- Lee Min Ho (The Heirs, Pachinko) as Yoo Jong Hyuk is the novel’s original protagonist, a powerful and relentless fighter.
- Chae Soo Bin (When The Phone Rings, Rookie Cops) as Yoo Sang Ah, Dok-ja’s trusted ally and co-worker.
- Shin Seung Ho (The Good Bad Mother, Alchemy of Souls) as Lee Hyun Sung, the group’s shield.
- Nana (The Good Wife, Justice) as Jung Hee Won, the justice-driven fighter.
- Jisoo (Newtopia, Snowdrop) of BLACKPINK as Lee Ji Hye, a devoted warrior who supports Yoo Joong Hyuk.
- Kwon Eun Seong (as Lee Gil-young, a crucial figure in the survival game.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet Trailer
It opens with Kim Dok Ja’s haunting voice-over: “The story that meant everything to me has now become reality.” Viewers get a look at a normal subway ride that turns to chaos when monsters attack, and the first “scenario” starts. The trailer jumps between scenes of ruined cities, huge monsters, and intense fights led by Yoo Jong Hyuk.
Controversy & Fan Backlash
Even with all the buzz, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet hasn’t escaped controversy, especially among die-hard fans of the original web novel and webtoon. Many are frustrated by how the movie seems to bend key details to fit star power and mainstream appeal.
A major point of tension is BLACKPINK’s Jisoo taking on the role of Lee Ji Hye. Fans love Jisoo but feel the character’s essence has been changed too much just to spotlight her fame.
Ji Hye is known for wielding a sword, yet in the movie, she carries a gun instead, which many feel erases a key part of her identity.
Fans also pointed out that her signature bangs are gone, which might seem minor. But for loyal readers, it feels like a sign the filmmakers overlooked important details.
The recent trailer gave fans their first look at Bihyung, the dokkaebi, whose new design looks so different that people compared him to Labubu or even Doraemon.
Casting choices have also raised eyebrows, like Lee Min Ho as Yoo Jong Hyuk, who fans say doesn’t quite match the towering, intimidating aura of the original character.
Press Events
At a press conference on June 17, 2025, stars Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Min Ho, and Chae Soo Bin spoke about the intense training and emotional arcs behind their characters. Jisoo did not attend but received praise from the director for her on-screen presence despite limited scenes.
With a loyal global fanbase, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet is widely expected to dominate the box office when it hits theaters.
