As Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy becomes 2025’s biggest movie disaster, fans are asking—did this adaptation completely destroy one of Korea’s most beloved web novels? In this deep-dive, we unpack why this $22 million flop starring Lee Min Ho, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, and Ahn Hyo Seop may have killed proper Korean web novel adaptations forever.
From removing Korean historical figures to turning complex characters into generic heroes, the movie sparked massive backlash. Fans were devastated seeing Kim Dok-ja transformed from a traumatized loner into a superhero, while Jisoo’s character was reduced to 5 minutes of screen time despite being used heavily in promotions. The director’s shocking admission that Jisoo was cast purely for star power—not storytelling—only made things worse.
Meanwhile, cheap CGI, butchered character development, and controversial changes to appeal to international audiences left both longtime readers and casual viewers disappointed. With only 627,000 viewers in its first week despite needing 6 million to break even, this adaptation proves some stories should stay on the page.
#omniscientreader #jisoo #blackpink #leemincho #ahnhyoseop #movieflop #koreanmovie #webtoon #adaptationfail #kpop
