Reviews

An absolute mockery and insult to the original webnovel

If you are interested in such a trope, I’d advise you to actually read the ongoing manwha or webnovel instead, because this movie absolutely butchered it. From completely discarding the initial literature work to subtracting the complexity of the characters, this media could be considered basically trash — or much worse.
Starting by the main character, Kim Dokja, originally a morally grey protagonist equipped with a highly abusive past who navigates through the apocalyptic world with carefully thought-out (for years) plans, has been reduced to a mainstream apocalypse survivor who dreams of saving the world through the power of the bonds he’s made along the way. Him, who has proved to be selfish, manipulative but extremely deprecating of his own life many times in the webnovel, has become not only the complete opposite, but his own abuse has been crumpled like paper and thrown in a metaphorical bin! Gone now the unhealthy family bonds and harassment he was forced to face, and now face the one-dimensional ambitious mc who is supposed to have the past of a bully?? Because TWSA’s protagonist Yoo Joonghyuk ‘told’ him to??? What in the deepest pits of hell is this? Not only does it show completely illogical morals from the supposed saviour of this world, but it also becomes a personal insult to the original Kim Dokja, because never in this lifetime would ORV’s protagonist inflict the abuse that has been thrown at him to endure.
Then comes Yoo Joonghyuk, the once 2nd MOST IMPORTANT character in the whole webnovel who shares an extremely deep, complex emotional bond with Kim Dokja, who has been turned into your average random sidekick who is somehow very skilled in.. shooting?? Proficient in a sort of weapon that proved itself to be meaninglessly useless in the original work? Which is why they should all be wielding swords, but instead you see all the characters equipped with a variety of guns??? And not only does Yoo Joonghyuk become an easily forgettable character in the shadow of the main character, but his relation to the latter became oversimplified and overlooked?! His complicated personality forced to fit the one-dimensional model of a stoic, repressed and asocial clown; everything that was interesting about him has been thrown in said metaphorical bin, all that just to highlight Kim Dokja even more. Instead of making them complementary with one of the most gut-wrenching relationships I have ever read, Kim Dokja instead takes Yoo Joonghyuk like an all-brawn no-brained idiot and just tells him “Yoo Joonghyuk! I’m literally the prophet!!”. That would have made NO sense in the novel (YJH has a skill detecting lies!!!) but, of course, because this is a half-assed remake, that blatant lie worked.
Then we move on to Yoo Sangah, a character who once embodied a woman’s struggles with misogyny in a society but also has a lot of cultural, historical knowledge along with communicating skills, has become.. a simple soft hearted healer. Dumbing her down to this mainstream trope is not only extremely misleading and misogynistic, but is also ironic, considering this was exactly what she was initially fighting against: the real reason why she was on the subway was modified, for example. She was supposed to be on it because her bike was stolen by Han Myungoh, who, in a twisted way of courtship, intended on forcing her to let him ride her home (in some Mercedes, if my memory is good). Obviously, Sangah refused and went on the subway instead. And, like adding salt to a wound, not only has this part of her lore been removed but also her fierceness that balanced her empathy, her fighting skills (Ariadne’s wires!!), and vast knowledge; all of it thrown, again, in a metaphorical bin to make way for a one-dimensional soft healer.
There is much, much more to criticise about this mess of a cinematic work (example: more misogyny by purposeful omission of Jung Heewon’s SA, removing the horror parts of the webnovel by making the dokkaebi Bihyung like a colourful labubu doll, bad CGI, Lee Gilhyeong becoming a whiny cockroach-manipulating kid, etc.), but I will stop here, and just add these final words: even without knowledge of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, the movie is just very confusing — due to not explaining key points of the lore (example: constellations, skills), pretty boring and appears to the audience as a tragic replica of a popular trope (apocalypse). As such, I again recommend reading the book instead.. even if you’d be in for a long, melancholic and emotional road.

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Three blessings

This is a sweet movie. Even though it takes place mostly during the daytime, I actually think this movie is well suited for a late night viewing. It's atmosphere is subdued and introspective.

Much of the movie is shot with long unwavering stillness. This allows the movie to be told solely through body language. Much of the time the characters are far out from the camera, so you have to rely on the subtle nature of the script and the actors. The scenery is simply magical. It's such a lovingly shot movie. It also felt as if the director was the only one there with them with his camera. I suppose that is to mimic the movies plot.

The plot itself is a little shallow. In fact it's actually a little hard to understand without taking in the visual cues of the actors. You can ascertain many things when you pay attention to the little nuances in the script. Arimura once again delivers a well acted movie. You can tell so much through just her gazes. The plot really clicks together when you realize the reasoning for why her and Shingo are rocky. The initial setup with her leaving Shingo and trying to find herself seems abrupt but slowly you begin to understand her own turmoil within herself.

Shingo's actor doesn't really do a whole lot but it works with the work ethic of the character. A portrait of indecisiveness. And as usual Ken Mitsuishi and Kaori Kobayashi show off their acting chops. Ken plays a very good disabled person. I liked that they used Kaoru in contrast to show how different pathways affect someone. The mother was cute, acting was a little shaky in some parts. I adored the non chalantness of the children.

The overall narrative doesn't really go far but it's mostly a showcase for Arimura's emotions. We understand she's in pain without her having to say anything. The story revolves around rebuilding and learning to live with your choices. At least that's what it felt like to me. Every character was marked by some sort of small tragedy that seemed to haunt them.

There's a few touching scenes having to do with the realization of other people's choices affects on the someone. Particularly the scene where Keizo reacquaints himself with his son. And also when Arimura finally finds her fireflies.

The music is the movie is soft and melodic. Nothing too much to mention. I will say though I appreciate the songs they used in both the opening and ending.

I think you have to be in the right mood to watch this movie. Hence why suggest watching it on the dead of night. It seems like it's trying to get across so many things but it's also aloof in how it wants you to get there. I think that's the movie's strongest point. It's up to interpretation. Family, life, career and love has always been like that.

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Disrespectful to the authors and their beloved story

We were continuously told how the director was keeping the original message of the story and how it had been respected, but that isn't found at all in this "adaptation". It's fine to change some things especially in cases of adapting animated or fantasy stories to real life but its another to completely rewrite it and then arrogantly call it an adaption.

For example, adding guns (the most useless weapons in the original story basically) was something quite a few, including myself, were willing to see how if it had been added in a arguably reasonable manner. Or to tell us certain character won't make an appearence (even if they were supposed to and not because they're simply character from way later in the story) is again alright. Why? Because maybe the director/script writers believed they deserved a more befitting entrance or something along those lines, and at least they'll still be in the story, with the same impact/backstory just at a slightly different time. However to then act as though Yoo Joonghyuk is a side character is beyond crazy. It shows us readers how you missed the point of his character, the importance and impact he had on Kim Dokja. Honestly, its not just that but to also completely change who the other character fundamentally are or undermine their connections with each other is distateful as well. Its now also incredibly evident this occurred, thanks to actor Lee Minho's recent interview highlighting how he wasn't aware of Joonghyuk and Jihye's connection.

I'll only briefly mention this point as its related to the previous on but its so incredibly misogynistic to have reduced Yoo Sangha, someone who stood against harmful stereotypes about women, to a healer out of all the possibilities in a fictional story ever. Better yet she could have been left just as she was, especially when you take into account that Lee Jihye was allowed to remain strong. When you consider that, it just doesn’t make much sense as to why she had to changed. Although, if I didn't know any better, I'd guess there must be some sort of "limit" to how many strong and capable women you can have as part of the MC's, according to this director.

Like you might as well, come up to each and every one of us to tell us you're a terrible director who cannot be entrusted with adapting a story that's finished already. Let alone being entrusted to write a new one because you aren't imaginative nor creative. Like I truly don't know how someone so unskilled and incapable has been granted such an opportunity.

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I wish I could smash the director's head with his chair

Did they even think of the author who worked his ass off for years to create this masterpiece. This is a total disrespects towards the author. He doesn't deserve this kind of treatment. You guys changed the core of the story now you ask why is the director the only one being hated not the author? Damn you're serious?? People should drop this altogether cause tkis was a unjustified adaption. Why use his work when you don't respect his work? Aside from the story the bad cgi,the freaking horrible acting, effortless action scene makes me wonder "WHERE DID THIS 30 BILLION KRW GO?" Of course it's in their pockets...Bro at this rate the police should arrest you for fund embezzelement

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Bland

Watchable if you're curious or if it's play during festive season or school break on tv. This is better off to be on netflix. Although I never read the webtoon, the film seems short for its length doesn't cover much cool storyline.

I watched it because I like Nana and Jisoo. But watching it I was left bored and confused. Idk why they used gun for killing monster when they barely do any big impact, they always shows they're killed by swords anyway. The coins, the screen look silly and cartoonish. Maybe because I don't play games so I don't get the appeal? They should've given more time to Jisoo and LMH idk what their name are but I was told they're supposed to be mentor-student duo? Was excited to see these duo more tbh. I don't feel the chemistry between the cast but acting wise I think they just care about their parts separately. Not feeling the hint of bromance which also a loss. And I'm sorry, I couldn't connect with the male lead, Hyoseop in this story like why should I care about this loser character wanting to save the world no charm whatsoever but got lucky he knows the storyline. The other one is boring too but he got his job done I guess.

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Why watch the movie when I've read the better version

This story was for one reader "KIM DOKJA". The story continied for him, existed solely for him. This story was his salvation. You mfs changed the whole plot. Did you really think only the action scenes will make us satisfied. Do you even understand the depth of this story. Do you even know why the story existed? How will you guys save the world with such a messy plot. I hope this apocalype really fall upon you. So that you could understand why you should never mess with the original. Aside from that,vfx was bad,action scenes became a comedy,music was so so,acting was huh what should I say....go to hell actors...there are thousands of nameless actor who can act better then you but can't get the opportunity just because of your carelessness

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Better read the novel, better life

At this point, everyone has already said everything. I'm gonna say the director shouldn't have messed with the original novel. Original storyline was far more better than the movie. Changing that only made the novel fans angry. The fans were hopeful that their favourite novel was getting an adaption. I was excited too. To see all my fav actors in my fav novel. But it all went in vain. They acted as if it was their first time acting. Why did they have to acte like that? Does this look like a zombie apocalypes??? They shouldv'e declined the role if they were not confident. Money hungry basta....

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Probably just googled the characters name then made a script. Not considered an adaptation

The only saving grace for this movie was the actor themselves. The script is generic. Bad CGI too.
They had good casted actors but decided to use a trash superhero generic script.

Used Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint in the title, but the Main Character is no longer an Omniscient being nor a dedicated reader. Made the main character who was a victim of bullying a bully.

Disregarded all of the character’s backstory, personality and skill. Just took their names. That’s it.

If they have used a different title and just marketed it as a movie inspired from a book, they might have gotten better reception. Overall, felt like a filler movie.

They should have spent more budget on script writing. Or hired someone who already read the book to write it. Or gotten the author to talk to the actors to explain how the characters would have felt in those scenes.

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This movie was meant to sponsor the actors

As i said in the title, the director wanted to sponsor the actors by attaching the name of the most popular korean novel. A 30 yrs old lady acting as a high schooler. Is this a joke?? Aside from that they added gun. Where in the world did the student find that gun. Haha this is ridiculous. The actor's acting was so terrible. Of course they don't care cuase they got their payments. They already got a lot fans who will come to see their movie afterall. First time in my life as a kdrama fan I'm hating these actors. They could've done better but they didn't. Did they even think of the novel fans who were optimistic about their acting???

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