K-Pop Idol Turned Actor: Ahn Hyo-seop Dives into the Ordinary with ‘Omniscient Reader’

Ahn Hyo-seop sits in a Samcheong-dong cafe, exuding the aura of a K-pop idol he once trained to be. Even in casual attire, his presence is magnetic, turning heads effortlessly.

This poses a unique challenge as he gears up to promote his role as Kim Dok-ja, the decidedly unglamorous protagonist in the upcoming blockbuster “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet.”

Adapted from a wildly popular web novel and comic, the film follows Kim Dok-ja, an ordinary office worker whose decade-long obsession with an obscure web novel becomes his unexpected edge when fiction collides with reality. Director Kim Byung-woo took creative liberties, reimagining Dok-ja as an unremarkable everyman – a human participation trophy – who initially seems ill-equipped to make decisions, let alone save the world.

“You can be attractive and still be ordinary,” Ahn insists, eliciting chuckles from those within earshot. “I mean, look around – there’s a spectrum of people. Who gets to define what’s ordinary?”

Ahn’s approach to the role required extreme dedication. “I avoided mirrors during filming. Completely. I had no clue how I looked on camera,” he reveals. The makeup team dulled his complexion, his hair remained deliberately disheveled, and the wardrobe department provided three identical suits in decreasing sizes to subtly illustrate Dok-ja’s evolution without making him appear too heroic.

“My most frequent question was, ‘Did I come across as too cool just now?'” Ahn shares. “Dok-ja isn’t meant to be cool. He’s never wielded a sword or leaped between buildings. Everything should feel awkward for him.”

The technical challenges extended beyond suppressing Ahn’s natural charisma. Most scenes were shot against blue screens, demanding considerable imagination. “Take the sea dragon sequence where Dok-ja gets swallowed whole. The attention to detail was mind-boggling,” Ahn explains. “We discussed the texture of the stomach lining, how deep your foot would sink. I was told it should feel like quicksand – your feet just keep going down.”

Despite the meticulous production, the film faces an uphill battle. With Korean cinema weathering its worst box office slump in years, even big-budget blockbusters aren’t guaranteed success.
Ahn acknowledges the challenges ahead. “Condensing this epic story into two hours was tough. The world-building might feel rushed, and I get that,” he admits, choosing his words carefully. “We aimed to capture the essence, but inevitably, you lose nuances. I just hope audiences will be understanding.”

What gives him confidence? The film’s universal themes. “It explores whether humanity is worth saving. Dok-ja faces constant moral dilemmas – should he help people who’ve shown their worst? Yet, he consistently chooses hope.”

Meanwhile, Ahn’s riding high on an unexpected hit. His voice work as Jinu, the charismatic frontman of the demonic boy band Saja Boys in Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” has gone viral. The dance for their track “Soda Pop” has exploded on TikTok, with fans begging Ahn to perform it at “Omniscient Reader” press events, despite Andrew Choi providing Jinu’s singing voice.

“They say the title’s the biggest turnoff,” Ahn laughs about “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” “I only auditioned because the script was genuinely fun.” Now, the former JYP trainee watches actual K-pop groups cover his song with amusement. “It’s surreal. I don’t think of it as mine – I’m just another fan.”

This success caps a decade of steady work since abandoning his idol aspirations for acting. “I’ve walked my path quietly,” he reflects. “Never gave less than my all, even when I wanted to. It’s just not in my DNA.”

The conversation shifts to Dok-ja’s counterpart, the mythic hero Yoo Joong-hyuk, who gains power through endless time loops, reliving the apocalypse until he succeeds. If Ahn could reset his own timeline, would he change anything?

His answer is immediate and resolute. “Nothing. Every choice led me here. There are no good or bad decisions – just experiences that shape you.” He leans in, emphasizing, “All of it matters. All of it’s precious.”

“Omniscient Reader” hits theaters July 23.