BLACKPINK Jisoo’s is set to star in the upcoming movie Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. However, the film is currently under hot water for the removal of historical contexts that were part of the original webtoon on which the movie is based. Netizens on the internet are now calling for the movie to be cancelled after the official teaser id released.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is a fantasy action film where the world of a long-running novel suddenly becomes real. The plot follows the protagonist Kim Dokja, the novel’s only reader, as he teams up with other companions to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. In the movie, each character fights using the special powers given to them by Constellations, which refer to godlike entities that are similar to guardian angels.
Admiral Yi Sun was a Korean admiral and military general known for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin War in the Joseon period. After the movie’s teaser came out, many netizens pointed out that it made no sense historically to have Admiral Yi Sun Sin wield a gun instead of a sword and bow, given that he fought against Japanese muskets during the Imjin War (1592-1597).
Constellation also has ties to the Korean independence activist Ahn Jung Geun, who was also reportedly removed from the movie. This move was harshly criticised by the Korean audience who accused the film to pander towards Japanese sentiments. Allegations of insufficient research behind world-building also started to be be made domestic fans.
Responding to all the criticism, Reallize Pictures CEO Won Dong Yeon made a social media post in February stating that the changes were necessary to adapt a novel into a movie. He also reassured fans that all the changes are approved by the webtoon’s author, Joo Ho Min. Similar concerns were raised at other characters also who replaced the sword with guns however pictures of them holding a sword were also revealed. However, no such explanation was extended for Jisoo’s character, Lee Ji Hye.
Fans are extremely unhappy with this controversy and are even calling for the project to be cancelled or flop financially, as it seems to be hurting the national sentiments of the South Korean people.
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