Lee Min Ho and Ahn Hyo Seop, stars of the upcoming movie Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, recently sparked controversy after their comments about BLACKPINK’s Jisoo during a press conference in Singapore. While the actors intended to compliment their co-star, some fans criticized their remarks, leading to online debates.
The Controversial Comments
During the press event on July 29, 2025, the actors were asked who they would choose as an ally if they had to fight monsters in real life. Both Lee Min Ho and Ahn Hyo Seop picked Jisoo, who plays Lee Ji Hye in the film.
Lee Min Ho joked, “Instead of her weapon, I’ll listen to her songs. Her music will be the biggest power to me.”
Ahn Hyo Seop also agreed, adding that her presence would be motivating.
While the comments seemed lighthearted, some fans felt they undermined Jisoo’s acting skills by focusing only on her music rather than her performance in the movie.
Fan Reactions and Backlash
The backlash came mostly from fans of the original Omniscient Reader web novel, who were already upset over changes to Jisoo’s character. In the source material, her character wields a sword linked to Korean historical hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin, but the movie gave her a gun instead.
Some netizens defended the actors, saying their words were taken out of context.
Others argued that the actors were simply being playful and that the criticism was exaggerated.
The Bigger Controversy: Jisoo’s Role in the Movie
The debate over Lee Min Ho and Ahn Hyo Seop’s comments is part of a larger controversy surrounding Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy. Fans of the original novel have expressed frustration over several changes, particularly Jisoo’s character.
In the book, Lee Ji Hye is connected to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a legendary Korean naval commander. Her sword symbolizes this legacy. However, the movie replaced it with a gun, which many fans saw as disrespectful to the source material.
The film’s director, Kim Byung-woo, defended the decision, saying:
“When adapting an original work to film, cinematic changes are necessary. The original author approved the script, and we focused on making the story exciting for audiences.”
Despite the backlash, the movie is performing well at the box office, with over 281,206 tickets sold in South Korea within three days of release.
Jisoo’s Growing Acting Career
This is not the first time Jisoo has faced controversy for her acting roles. Her debut drama Snowdrop also received mixed reactions due to its historical setting. However, she has been praised for her performances and continues to expand her career beyond music.
Her role in Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy marks another step into acting, and despite the debates, many fans are excited to see her on the big screen.
What’s Next for the Film?
Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy is set to release globally, with pre-sales in 113 countries. The movie follows Kim Dok Ja (Ahn Hyo Seop), an office worker who finds himself trapped in the world of his favorite novel, teaming up with the story’s hero, Yoo Jung Hyuk (Lee Min Ho), to survive.
While the adaptation has faced criticism, the original authors, known as singNsong, have publicly supported the film, calling it a fresh take on their work.
Credits: News reports from Korea Boo, Channel News Asia, and additional sources.
