Lee Min-ho Embraces Freedom and Returns to the Big Screen with 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'

"In my 20s, I was burdened with responsibility. Now, I want to be free. My pursuit is 'freedom'."

On the 17th, at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Lee Min-ho shared insights about his latest film, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'. Dressed in a simple white t-shirt and jeans, Lee exuded a unique aura, complemented by a black outerwear to brace the chilly indoors.

'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is a fantasy action film where the world of a long-serialized novel becomes reality on the day it concludes. Lee Min-ho plays the protagonist, Yoo Joong-hyuk, from the novel.

Marking his return to cinema after a decade, Lee Min-ho faces significant pressure, especially after his previous project, the 50 billion won drama 'Ask the Stars', did not perform well. 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is another major production with a budget of 30 billion won.

Lee Min-ho commented, "'Ask the Stars' was the least successful project in my 19-year career. It involved many attempts and challenges over a long process." He added, "I hope 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' does well. With many fans of the original work, there's pressure and concern. However, convincing them is part of an actor's job. I aim to focus on the process."

In the film, Lee supports the main character, Kim Dok-ja, played by Ahn Hyo-seop. Lee admires Yoo Joong-hyuk's character, saying, "Yoo Joong-hyuk quietly does his job regardless of the outcome. His resilience through emotions inspired me. I want to emulate that."

Regarding his lesser role compared to Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee stated, "In my mid-30s, I started receiving offers for projects with diverse characters. When I chose 'Pachinko', many were surprised. But I am open to making such choices. I want to work on various projects without bias regarding role size or character."

Having debuted 19 years ago, Lee Min-ho expressed, "I had a strong sense of responsibility in my 20s, but now I want to be freer. This has influenced my project choices. I hope to create a different emotional tone. It's like shedding a burden. Having been thrust into society at a young age, I want to redefine my life in my 30s."

Lee credits senior actor Lee Jung-jae for his evolving perspective, saying, "Lee Jung-jae advised me to pursue anything because of my talent and acting skills. He's a supportive mentor who helps me become a better actor and person. His advice inspired me to take on more projects."

Throughout the 50-minute interview, Lee frequently mentioned 'freedom'. He shared, "For me, the ultimate freedom is starting a family and having children." However, he added, "It's not just up to me, so it's challenging. If a miraculous moment comes, I would choose marriage. But such a moment hasn't happened, and I haven't seriously considered marriage. It's a miraculous thing, not a decision made with the mind."

'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' premieres on the 23rd in South Korea and Taiwan, followed by releases in Indonesia on the 30th, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand on the 31st, and in the U.S., Canada, and Vietnam on August 1st. Cambodia and the Philippines will see releases on August 5th and 6th, respectively.

Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr