Nana and Jisoo Set to Captivate Screens with Action-Packed Roles in 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'

Nana and Jisoo are gearing up to dominate the big screen with their roles in the upcoming film 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint,' where they wield a gun and a sword, respectively. Among the multiple key characters in this film, Nana, formerly of After School, and Jisoo of BLACKPINK, stand out as notable female leads. Both artists share a background in music, but in this movie, they will showcase different charms through their action-packed performances.

Set to release on the 23rd, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is a fantasy action film that unfolds as a novel serialized over ten years becomes reality. The sole reader of the novel, Kim Dokja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), discovers that the novel's ending involves only Yoo Joonghyuk (played by Lee Min-ho), who possesses the ability to return to a ruined world, surviving. However, as the novel's world becomes reality, Kim Dokja seeks a way for everyone, not just Yoo Joonghyuk, to survive.

Nana takes on the role of Jung Heewon, a character who fights for justice in 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.' This marks her return to the big screen three years after her last film, 'Confession.' During the 'Confession' press conference, Nana made headlines with her tattoos, most of which she has since removed for her role in the new film.

In the film, Jung Heewon becomes an ally to Kim Dokja. Although her character was not prominently featured in the novel, in reality, she wields the sword of justice against ruthless individuals, showcasing her abilities.

Nana will display her swordsmanship skills using both long and short swords in this film. She expressed, "I've always had a thirst for action in my acting career. When given the opportunity to perform action in a fantasy setting, I thought it was worth the challenge due to the creative freedom it allows."

As an idol, Nana incorporated dance into her swordsmanship action scenes. She shared, "Action gives me a lot of energy. Having been an idol from a young age, I felt energized when performing action scenes." Her growing interest in action has led her to dream of becoming an action star.

Jisoo, while having made special appearances in films, makes her official big-screen debut with 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.' Her casting was a hot topic, and she plays the role of Lee Ji-hye, a high school student who follows Yoo Joonghyuk, whom she calls her master. In the film, Lee Ji-hye believes that survival in the transformed world is only possible for the strong, rejecting Kim Dokja's proposal to unite forces.

Jisoo debuted as an actress in the drama 'Snowdrop' and earlier this year appeared in the zombie romance comedy 'Newtopia.' Despite facing criticism for her acting in both projects, she was cast for a reason. Director Kim Byung-woo stated, "The casting criteria were clear. The first was someone who could work hard. Jisoo showed great enthusiasm during meetings and on set." He added, "Although her role isn't extensive, I wanted an actor who could capture attention, and Jisoo delivered, leaving me very satisfied with the result."

In the original work, Lee Ji-hye is supported by a character known as 'the hidden hand,' Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and uses a sword as her weapon. However, in the film, her weapon has been changed to a gun, sparking controversy among fans for deviating from the original.

Director Kim Byung-woo explained, "From a visual action perspective, diversifying the weapons used by characters, who predominantly wield long swords in the original, helps bring the characters to life." He continued, "Lee Ji-hye's character was separate from Kim Dokja's team, but she couldn't be overlooked. After much deliberation, we decided on a device that could make her character explode at a dramatic moment." He reassured fans, "I understand the concerns of fans who love the original work, but I believe watching the film will provide sufficient understanding."

With Nana taking her first steps as an action star and Jisoo making her screen debut, their action showdown—Nana with a sword and Jisoo with a gun—is one of the film's highlights.

Both Nana and Jisoo are considered high-profile stars, as evidenced by their Instagram followings. Nana boasts 5.4 million followers, while Jisoo has 79.63 million, totaling 85.03 million. Their global influence is expected to positively impact the film's international audience reach.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr