Lee Min Ho is officially back on the big screen, ten years after his last film role. The Korean superstar made his long-awaited film return with Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, which opened on July 23, 2025 and quickly topped the Korean box office, drawing over 100,000 moviegoers on opening day.
The fantasy action flick, packed with a star-studded cast, dominated the weekend theater buzz, proving its hot-ticket status. While fans are used to seeing Lee frequently on TV, his absence from film has been notable. “There’s definitely pressure,” he admitted.
“Films feel like they come with more definite judgment than dramas.” The actor explained that during his 20s, he intentionally stayed away from movies, instead waiting for projects with more weight and depth.
“I wanted to take on film roles that carried more meaning. I felt like that would come with age, so I planned to start doing movies in my 30s.” As for why he chose Omniscient Reader as his comeback, Lee said the project struck a deeper chord.
“I kept thinking about how our society is becoming more isolated and individualized. The world inside this story felt like a microcosm of that. It shows how people, when brought together, can create strength.”
Director Kim Byung Woo, who helmed the film, previously said that no one but Lee Min Ho could play Yoo Jung Hyuk, mentioning his overwhelmingly handsome looks. But for Lee, playing “was probably the biggest challenge.”
He explained, “The role carries a lot of symbolism from the original web novel, and the expectations were high. I can’t judge how well I fit the character, but if viewers feel like I got close enough, that’s good enough for me.” When asked if the fantasy-heavy lines or stylized action felt cringey, Lee smiled.
“Not really. I’ve never found anything cringey while acting.” He added, “I’ve never tried to look cool in a role. If anything, I think characters with more flaws come across cooler. Looking back, that’s been true of the roles I’ve played—characters who grow with the help of the female lead.”
As for Omniscient Reader’s runtime and his relatively modest amount of screen time? Lee couldn’t care less. “I don’t worry about how many scenes I’m in,” he said. “What matters is the role’s weight and function in the story. If that’s solid, that’s enough.”
Asked what he’s currently challenging himself with offscreen, Lee kept things vague. “There are things I’m working on personally, but I don’t want to talk about them publicly. Outside of being an actor, I prefer to keep to myself.”
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