Omniscient Reader CEO Won Dong-yeon said regarding the highly anticipated drama adaptation of 'Along with the Gods,' "It is still in progress."
On the 22nd, an interview with Won Dong-yeon, CEO of the production company for the film 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' (hereinafter referred to as Omniscient Reader), was held at a cafe in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
'Omniscient Reader' (directed by Kim Byung-woo, produced by Lotte Entertainment and Smilegate, distributed by Lotte Entertainment, produced by Realies Pictures and co-produced by MYM Entertainment, SmilegateRealies, and The Present Company) is a fantasy action work where, on the day the novel, serialized for over 10 years, concluded, the world of the novel becomes reality, and the only reader, Kim Dok-ja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), along with the protagonist Yu Jung-hyuk (played by Lee Min-ho), and their companions strive to survive in a world that has perished.
The original web novel of the same name received tremendous love, surpassing a cumulative global view count of 300 million, and it is a major project with a total production cost of approximately 30 billion won. Following the recent webtoon adaptation, it has been reborn as a movie this year, with Hallyu stars Lee Min-ho and Ahn Hyo-seop, as well as Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, Nana, and BLACKPINK's Jisoo being cast. Additionally, it is a new work released after seven years by director Kim Byung-woo, who directed 'The Terror Live' (2013) and 'PMC: The Bunker' (2018), and produced by Realies Pictures, led by Won Dong-yeon, the CEO who created the two 10 million-view films in the 'Along with the Gods' series.
CEO Won Dong-yeon debuted as a screenwriter in the 1995 film 'Run Away with the Money' and later transformed into a producer, bringing many works to life. After various ups and downs, he began with his first hit '200 Pounds Beauty' (2006), followed by the 10 million-view film 'Masquerade' (2012), 'Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds' (2017), and 'Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days' (2018). Most notably, the 'Along with the Gods' series set an unparalleled record in Korean cinema by simultaneously producing parts 2 and 3 and reaching 10 million admissions.
Currently, 'Omniscient Reader' has confirmed pre-sales in 113 countries worldwide, including Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam, as well as Europe and North America, indicating a promising global box office. It is set for an unusual theatrical release in Germany, where Korean films are rarely released, proving its competitiveness. Additionally, just one day before its release, according to the integrated computer network of movie ticketing, real-time reservation rates reached nearly 30%, topping the charts.
If 'Omniscient Reader' is adapted into a visual format, the material and continuation suggest the possibility of an OTT series. Regarding this, CEO Won Dong-yeon noted, "Is there any reason we can't do that? It's not some trade secret. (laughs) The reason we are releasing the first part in theaters this time is that I wondered, 'Is it right to watch this scale, action, and mise-en-scène on a mobile phone?'"
He continued, "It is set against the backdrop of the world ending, and it's about people saving each other. It shows that when there are crises and threats, 'we need to unite and cooperate.' I thought it was a work meant to be seen with as many people as possible. In a space where 200–300 people are breathing together, I believe that seeing it with people living in the same era makes the properties of the 'Omniscient Reader' IP even more distinct. If we set that up, what would happen if we go for a series, or a drama afterwards?"
There was an official announcement that the film 'Along with the Gods' achieved tremendous success with 10 million admissions and is being adapted into a drama, but the process seems to be somewhat delayed.
CEO Won Dong-yeon stated, "We are continuing with the drama 'Along with the Gods,' but it's not an easy process," and noted, "Except for 'Squid Game,' the production cost per episode for Korean series is capped at 5 billion won. 'Omniscient Reader' has a running time of 2 hours and a production cost of 30 billion won. If this is released as a series, one episode will be around 50 minutes to an hour. So, in conclusion, 'Omniscient Reader' would cost about 15 billion won per episode."
He also explained, "It's hard to make 'Along with the Gods' for less than 10 billion won per episode when considering VFX visual effects and CG work. We need to lower production costs, but there are many concerns due to the characteristics of the IP that audiences expect. It is a series with an economically challenging scale that is difficult for Korean content to create. We are looking for various solutions," and added, "I'm not originally a person who likes blockbusters. Somehow, it has turned out this way. Movies are a service where costs are not reflected. It's an industry where just because it is made expensive, it doesn't mean you can charge more. The more money spent, the higher the break-even point goes."
'Omniscient Reader' raises anticipation for a sequel in the ending credit scene. The production company, director, and cast have positive thoughts regarding part 2, but it is impossible without the success of part 1.
CEO Won Dong-yeon remarked, "We need to surpass the break-even point for part 2 before we can discuss it. I think we should aim for about 6 million viewers. It would be great if it reaches 10 million, but in the current market, achieving that is difficult. We have to compete with professional baseball and games. I simply hope for a return higher than expected so that the staff, actors, and investors who participated can avoid losses," and added, "At the same time, I'd like to establish franchises in the Korean film industry like 'Along with the Gods' and 'The Outlaws.' It's unfortunate that we can't properly utilize good 10 million-view films. I hope to create a Korean-style franchise to become a stable cash cow for the sake of my juniors, seniors, and colleagues. If that happens, I would like to retire," he said with a smile.
[Photo] Provided by Realies Pictures
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