Lee Min-ho Breaks 10-Year Film Hiatus with ‘Omniscient Reader’ — “Lead Role or Not, It Must Mean Something”

Actor Lee Min-ho has shared the reasons behind his return to the big screen after a decade, choosing the film 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'.

On the morning of the 17th, Lee Min-ho met with Xportsnews at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss his new movie 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'.

Directed by Kim Byung-woo, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is a fantasy action film that unfolds when the world of a long-serialized novel becomes reality on the day it concludes. The story follows Kim Dok-ja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), the novel's sole reader, as he teams up with the protagonist Yoo Joong-hyuk (played by Lee Min-ho) and others to survive in a world on the brink of destruction.



Lee Min-ho takes on the role of Yoo Joong-hyuk, the hero from the novel 'Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World', who becomes an idol for Kim Dok-ja as he struggles to survive through multiple regressions.

This marks Lee Min-ho's return to cinema after 10 years since 'Gangnam 1970' (2015). With 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' set to release, he confessed, "It's daunting to return after a decade. It feels like I'm waiting for an evaluation," expressing his nervous anticipation.

Explaining why he returned to film after such a long hiatus, he shared, "In my 20s, I realized that I went to the theater to resolve emotions or experience deep stories. I sought out works that offered depth rather than those featuring actors in their 20s. So, I distanced myself from films in my 20s, thinking I would return to them in my 30s."

Known for his roles in 'Boys Over Flowers' and 'The Heirs', Lee Min-ho has been dubbed the 'original comic book hero' for his striking resemblance to characters straight out of a manga. Yoo Joong-hyuk is also a charismatic protagonist and a role model for readers. Director Kim Byung-woo previously told Xportsnews, "I could only envision Lee Min-ho as Yoo Joong-hyuk. He was the only one who could deliver those lines naturally."



Lee Min-ho commented, "I never thought the lines were cheesy. Even though Yoo Joong-hyuk is supposed to be cool, I wondered, 'Is he really?' The director insisted on more desperation in every scene. The more desperate Yoo Joong-hyuk appeared, the more convincing he became."

'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' primarily follows the adventure of a reader who wants to save the world from a novel-turned-reality. Lee Min-ho adds excitement to the film with his appearances that heighten the tension.

Regarding his screen time, Lee Min-ho stated, "I don't focus on the amount of screen time but on the significance and persuasiveness of my role. If there's a good reason, screen time doesn't matter. It's the same with 'Pachinko'. The experience of working on 'Pachinko' has been enriching, and I feel I can take on diverse projects without concern for screen time in the future."

Having spent his 20s as a busy Hallyu star, Lee Min-ho reflected, "My 20s were a time of experience, and for 5-6 years, I defined those experiences. Now, I'm in a phase of experiencing again. I'm currently very satisfied, balancing responsibility with a desire for freedom. I spent 10 years in my 20s, and I feel the need to continue filling myself with new things to stay healthy and move forward. I enjoy throwing myself into new environments and am filling myself with new energy through these experiences."



As an original Hallyu star, Lee Min-ho remarked, "The past was really tough. Ten years ago, I would film with only one or two hours of sleep per week. My seniors had it even harder. That intense dedication over 10 or 20 years has led to the positive recognition we have today." He added, "We must not become complacent. Everyone on set must continue to work intensely to sustain this success for a long time."

He conveyed his genuine belief that while the label 'Hallyu star' can change, "All I can do is give my best."

Despite his return to film after 10 years, Lee Min-ho chose 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' not as a leading role but as a meaningful project. He explained, "The focus on the size of a role is a Korean stereotype. In foreign films, people don't watch thinking, 'That person is just supporting someone else.' In my 20s, I didn't even receive offers for such roles."

Lee Min-ho emphasized that if a project has a story he wants to tell and holds meaning, he will choose it. He stated, "I need to clearly feel why I chose a project. In that context, the size of my role or screen time is not a major concern," hinting at limitless changes ahead.

Meanwhile, 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is set to premiere on the 23rd.

Photo = MYM Entertainment, Lotte Entertainment

This article was originally published in Korean on Xportsnews and was translated into English using AI.

by Oh Seunghyun