At a recent press conference, Kim Byung-woo, director of the upcoming film Omniscient Reader: The Prophet (premiering July 23), faced fierce criticism after justifying his casting of Jisoo (BlackPink) based on her dedication rather than proven acting ability.
He shared that he chose Jisoo for the role of Lee Ji-hye because she “truly gave it her all.” “From the first meeting, she showed fiery passion. During script readings and preparations, she worked tirelessly,” he explained. “Her role isn’t large, but I believed she’d draw audience attention. I am completely satisfied with her performance.”
However, the explanation—centered on effort—prompted backlash across online communities. On Theqoo, netizens slammed the decision:
- “So the other actors didn’t try? This belittles their efforts.”
- “Effort alone isn’t enough. Yes, she’s try‑hard, but where’s her acting talent?”
- “Praising attitude over ability? It feels like a commercial tactic—Blackpink name first.”
- “Trailer looked stiff—how is that effort showing?”
- “By praising her for trying, the director devalues actual skill.”
Critics suspect the casting was a strategic move to leverage Jisoo’s global BLACKPINK fame rather than a merit-based artistic choice. Although Kim also addressed the controversial scene of Lee Ji-hye wielding a gun—absent in the original webtoon—he assured, “It will make sense once you see the movie. Please wait and experience its full narrative.”
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, starring Lee Min-ho, Ahn Hyo-seop, and featuring Jisoo as a supporting role, marks a highly anticipated adaptation of the famed webtoon. While expectations are sky-high, this casting controversy adds new pressure. For Jisoo, the outcome may hinge less on her star power and more on whether she can deliver a performance that resonates emotionally with audiences.
