MOVIE
Behind-the-Scenes of 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint': A Collaboration of Veteran Filmmakers
'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is a fantasy action film where the world of a novel, completed after over a decade of serialization, becomes reality. The sole reader, Kim Dokja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), teams up with the novel's protagonist, Yoo Joonghyuk (played by Lee Min-ho), and others to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Veteran filmmakers have come together to create this cinematic experience.
Director Kim Byung-woo and the seasoned production team faced the challenge of creating a world and spaces never before seen on screen. Known for his talent in creating palpable tension within limited spaces and time, Director Kim stated, "The biggest challenge was to keep the audience engrossed in the screen." He expressed his intent to balance the blend of reality and fantasy without leaning too much towards either. Regarding the subway set, a key location early in the film, he explained, "The idea of flipping the space was to convey the image of a world turned upside down."
Jung Sung-jin, the VFX head known for leading major Korean film projects like 'Along with the Gods', 'Parasite', and 'The Battle: Roar to Victory', expressed his dedication to ensuring the audience could understand the film's universe with verisimilitude and coherence. He proudly stated, "In my 30 years of working on numerous projects, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is a project where creature technology and resources were boldly utilized."
Cinematographer Jeon Hye-jin, known for her work on the drama 'Pachinko' and the film 'Smoking Tigers', took charge of the film's visual aesthetics. She revealed, "Over 80% of the cuts are VFX shots, so we invested significant time and effort in storyboarding and pre-visualization during pre-production." She added, "Kim Dokja's (Ahn Hyo-seop) internal monologue shots frequently appear, with the camera so close that it feels like he's sharing secrets with the audience," aiming to immerse viewers in Kim Dokja's emotions and circumstances.
Art director Lee Mok-won, who has crafted overwhelming worlds in films like 'Train to Busan' and 'Along with the Gods', emphasized the importance of a logical transition from reality to fantasy spaces. The subway set, being a familiar space, needed to maintain realism while adapting to each scenario, including depicting damage, which was a continuous challenge. The most difficult set was the belly of the dragon, where Kim Dokja faces his third scenario. Even with VFX enhancements, the set needed to give actors the feeling of being inside a creature, ultimately using a VFX mat. "We constructed the frame with steel and finished it with balloons, making it the most challenging set," he explained.
Stunt director Jung Yoon-heon shared that designing actions to match each character's personality and situation was the most challenging aspect. "Kim Dokja's movements focused on realism and overcoming difficult situations rather than technique," while "Yoo Joonghyuk's actions were designed to be strong and stylish." He noted that actor Lee Min-ho contributed many ideas, showing the actors' dedication to the project. Additionally, "Yoo Sang-ah's (played by Chae Soo-bin) movements were inspired by cat's cradle," highlighting the effort to differentiate even simple hand movements from other works. "Lee Hyun-sung (played by Shin Seung-ho) focused on powerful action due to his strong character, while Jung Hee-won aimed for a rough yet not overly flashy style," promising dynamic action and fresh visuals from each character.
'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' will be available in theaters nationwide on the 23rd.
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
