Actor Ahn Hyo-seop revealed his attraction to the 'ordinariness' of his character in 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'.
On the 16th, Ahn Hyo-seop, who stars in the film 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint', was interviewed at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is a fantasy action film based on a web novel of the same name. It depicts the events that unfold when the world of a novel, which has been serialized for over ten years, becomes reality. Ahn Hyo-seop plays the role of Kim Dok-ja, the sole reader of the novel.
Ahn shared, "It took about two and a half years from pre-production to completion. Since it's my first film, I was anxious. It's been a year since filming wrapped, and seeing the final version felt fresh. It was a mix of excitement and nervousness." He added, "The film involves a lot of CGI. We discussed a lot on set, but I couldn't imagine how it would turn out. I saw the film for the first time at a technical screening a week ago, and it was fascinating. Filming in an empty space and then seeing my co-stars appear was an amazing experience."
'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' marks Ahn's film debut. He said, "After watching the technical screening, I realized I was tense the whole time. I even caught a cold afterward. I guess I was nervous." On choosing this project for his debut, he explained, "I have a clear criterion for selecting projects. If my heart races, I do it. I felt a strong desire to take on this role." He continued, "I was drawn to Kim Dok-ja's ordinariness. The roles I've played so far had distinct strengths or unique traits. Kim Dok-ja, however, has no apparent strengths, which intrigued me. I was curious about how I could portray 'ordinariness'. Additionally, I was curious about how such a challenge would turn out in Korea."
Regarding the numerous close-up shots, Ahn commented, "There were many instances where the camera was so close that you could see my face and inner thoughts. I wonder if there's another work that guides the audience through the protagonist's psyche as much as ours does." He added, "Even though I thought the shots were close, seeing them on the big screen was overwhelming. But it was also moving. As someone who dreamed of being a film actor since childhood, it was an emotional experience." He proudly stated, "Our film's main points are the exhilarating action, continuous visual treats, and the message of human contemplation."
Reflecting on when he first encountered the project, Ahn said, "I felt quite aimless at the time. I had been working on various projects non-stop for 3-4 years. At some point, I fell into a rut, questioning what I was doing. Even when I was focused on each scene, I wondered if this was the life of an actor I wanted." He continued, "I read the script on a sofa in the corner of a café's second floor. Strangely, I felt at ease with a character that showed nothing. I empathized with Kim Dok-ja, who was swept away by his circumstances. It felt like my own situation."
'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is set to release on the 23rd.
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr