Global Anticipation Grows for 'All-Seeing Reader's Perspective' Film

The highly anticipated summer film 'All-Seeing Reader's Perspective' (전지적 독자 시점) is drawing attention not only in South Korea but also from global audiences. On June 17, a production press conference was held at Lotte Cinema in Konkuk University, Seoul, featuring lead actors Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Min-ho, Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, Nana, and director Kim Byung-woo.

'All-Seeing Reader's Perspective', directed by Kim Byung-woo and produced by Lotte Entertainment and Smilegate, is based on a popular web novel that has been serialized for over a decade. The story follows Kim Dok-ja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), the sole reader of a novel that becomes reality on the day it concludes, as he teams up with the protagonist Yoo Jung-hyuk (played by Lee Min-ho) and others to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.

With a production budget of approximately 30 billion KRW, the film is a major adaptation of the beloved web novel that has also been transformed into a webtoon. The cast includes Hallyu stars like Lee Min-ho and Ahn Hyo-seop, along with BLACKPINK's Jisoo. This marks director Kim Byung-woo's return after seven years, following his work on hits like 'The Terror Live' (2013) and 'PMC: The Bunker' (2018).

The fantasy genre film required extensive CGI, with most of the shooting done on blue screens, raising questions about whether the novel's imaginative elements could be effectively translated to the screen. Director Kim expressed his initial concerns about adapting the story but noted that the blend of reality and fantasy is a key appeal of the original work. He aims to engage viewers by prompting them to consider how they would react in similar situations.

Kim emphasized the importance of balancing reality and fantasy during the directing process, stating that he found a good solution to this challenge. He acknowledged the pressure of adapting a beloved source material but focused on maintaining the essence of the story while ensuring it resonates with contemporary audiences.

When asked about changes from the original, Kim explained that while the novel is lengthy, they had to condense it into a two-hour film, which inevitably leads to some distortions and omissions. However, he aimed to preserve the author's intent and the story's enjoyment.

Concerns were raised regarding the character Lee Ji-hye, played by Jisoo, who wields a gun instead of a sword, which is traditionally associated with historical figures like Admiral Yi Sun-sin in the original narrative. Kim defended this creative choice, stating that it was necessary for visual action and character development.

The film is set to be released on July 23, 2025, and Kim expressed confidence that audiences will understand the creative decisions made in the adaptation once they see the final product.