Ahn Hyo-seop on His Film Debut in 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' and Embracing 'Ordinariness'

A shy and introverted individual seeks to change the world with everyone. This is the story of Kim Dok-ja, the protagonist of the film 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.' Actor Ahn Hyo-seop, who plays Kim Dok-ja, was drawn to his 'ordinariness.'

On the 16th, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, actor Ahn Hyo-seop, who stars in the film 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' (directed by Kim Byung-woo), shared his thoughts. The film, set to release on the 23rd, is a fantasy action story where the world of a novel becomes reality on the day the novel, serialized for over 10 years, concludes. Ahn Hyo-seop plays Kim Dok-ja, the sole reader of the novel.

Ahn Hyo-seop expressed, "It took about two and a half years from pre-production to completion. It was my first film, so I was anxious. It's been a year since filming ended, and seeing the final version felt fresh. It was a mix of excitement and nervousness."

The original work has garnered over 300 million views globally, indicating its immense popularity. Condensing such a vast story into a two-hour film was a challenge. Ahn Hyo-seop noted, "Works with original sources often have mixed reactions. I've been disappointed with remakes of original works before," but added, "The choices and direction we took for this two-hour film remain unchanged. We bear the responsibility for those choices. I hope viewers recognize our efforts to create a perfect two-hour film and watch it with an open heart."

'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' marks Ahn Hyo-seop's film debut. He shared, "After watching the technical screening, I was so tense that I caught a cold. I must have been nervous." On choosing this project as his debut, he said, "I have a clear criterion for selecting projects. If my heart races, I do it. 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, seemed to have no standout qualities, which intrigued me. I was curious about how I could portray 'ordinariness.'" Given the film's scale and extensive use of CGI, he was also curious about how such a challenge would manifest in the final product.

Ahn Hyo-seop found a reflection of himself in Kim Dok-ja, which further drew him to the character. He recalled, "At the time, I felt quite aimless. I had been working on various projects non-stop for 3-4 years. I found myself in a rut, questioning if this was the life of an actor I wanted." He continued, "I read the script in a corner of a cafe's second floor. The character, who showed nothing, strangely put me at ease. I empathized with Kim Dok-ja, who was swept up in his circumstances. It felt like my own situation."

The director often filmed Ahn Hyo-seop up close to create a perspective where Kim Dok-ja seems to confide only in the audience. Ahn Hyo-seop remarked, "There were many instances where my face or inner thoughts were captured closely. I wonder if there's another work that guides the audience through the protagonist's psyche as much as ours." He added, "Even though I thought the shots were close, seeing them on the big screen was overwhelming," but as someone who dreamed of being a film actor from a young age, he felt proud. He also highlighted, "The film's main points are its exhilarating action, continuous visual treats, and the message of human contemplation."

In this film, Ahn Hyo-seop collaborated with Lee Min-ho, who plays Yoo Joong-hyuk, the protagonist of the novel serialized for over a decade. Ahn Hyo-seop and Lee Min-ho were once under the same agency.

Ahn Hyo-seop shared, "It was nice to see him again after 10 years. He approached me without hesitation, making me feel comfortable." He added, "When I was in Canada as a student, I grew up watching his works. He was my celebrity. To Kim Dok-ja, Yoo Joong-hyuk is such a figure—both a hero and an idol. This naturally connected in our performances."

In the film, Kim Dok-ja decides to change the novel's ending, where only Yoo Joong-hyuk survives, to one where everyone survives. When asked if there's a choice in his life he'd like to change, Ahn Hyo-seop replied, "Not a single one." He explained, "Every choice seems to have shaped who I am today. Making only good choices doesn't always lead to good outcomes. From the perspective that nothing is gained without pain, every choice was meaningful."

Reflecting on overcoming challenges, he shared, "I dislike being in the spotlight. Ironically, being an actor is inseparable from being a celebrity. It's a profession where someone has to watch me. Overcoming that was a significant challenge." He added, "I overcame it because I had to. Even now, I'm not sure if I've truly overcome it. No matter how much I love this art and enjoy acting, it means nothing if no one watches. Without an audience, I can't exist. That thought kept me going."

On why he continues acting, he said, "It's the thing I've invested the most time in since becoming an adult. Investing in one field for a long time is valuable." He also recalled, "Senior actor Han Suk-kyu once told me, 'Acting is fun, but it's even more fun when you do it well.' That resonated with me. I've built my own tower over time, and now I feel like I'm starting to understand it. I don't want to let it go. I'm curious about how far it will go and how much fun it will become."

The turning point when acting became enjoyable was during the drama 'Dr. Romantic 2.' Ahn Hyo-seop shared, "Initially, I often wanted to quit. I had to act, but as a rookie, I faced criticism and had to be sharp. It wasn't the set I imagined. However, while filming 'Dr. Romantic 2,' I received a lot of advice from senior actor Han Suk-kyu, which ignited my passion for acting." He continued, "Now, I enjoy acting. Every day on set is exciting and thrilling." He added, "Acting has become my life. Previously, waking up at a certain time and moving by a certain hour felt secondary, but now everything has become a part of me."

Having lived in Canada before pursuing his dream in Korea, Ahn Hyo-seop shared, "I initially wanted to do both acting and singing. At the time, 'acting idols' were trending. My naive plan was to act through the popularity of being a singer," he laughed. He continued, "As I delved into it, I came to respect these fields. I decided that if I were to do it, I'd do it properly, and I ended up focusing on acting." He added, "I wanted to delve deeply into one thing. I wanted to keep music as a hobby, and I still think it was a great decision. I didn't know it then, but as I continued, acting became enjoyable, and I developed a desire for it."

Marking his 10th year since debut, Ahn Hyo-seop stated, "It feels like the beginning. Until now, it was a time of nurturing the foundation, and now it's time to excel." He added, "Even if you want to act well, you can't without knowing the technical aspects. Mastering both technical elements like movement and framing, along with emotional aspects, is essential to doing well," he laughed.

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