[theqoo] JISOO, PICKS UP A GUN BUT NOT A SWORN... CONCERNS ABOUT 'OMNISCIENT READEr' BECOMES REALITY

The adaptation controversy surrounding the film Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (hereafter OR), based on the popular web novel of the same name, appears to be intensifying following the release of character posters and a teaser trailer.

In OR, each character fights using the powers and specialties bestowed upon them by "Constellations" , godlike beings similar to guardian stars. The Constellation for the character Lee Ji-hye (Jisoo) is Admiral Yi Sun-sin. However, in the recently released teaser, Lee Ji-hye is seen wielding a gun instead of a sword, which symbolizes Admiral Yi. This has sparked concerns that the setting involving Admiral Yi may have been removed. These concerns are fueled by previous cases where historically sensitive content was altered or omitted for global releases.

In fact, in the version of the OR webtoon serviced in Japan, a line that originally said "I want a national independence activist (Yu Gwan-sun)" was changed to "I want a Yin-Yang Master of contradiction." Yin-Yang Masters were ancient Japanese officials who used the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements for fortune-telling and geomancy. In addition, it was reported that the Constellation of Ahn Jung-geun had also been removed, leading to criticism that the changes were made to appease Japanese audiences.

Following the teaser release, some netizens voiced strong objections, saying things like, “How can you make Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who fought against Japanese arquebuses during the Imjin War, use a gun instead of a sword or bow?”

These concerns have only grown as OR garners attention both domestically and internationally, especially with Hallyu stars such as Jisoo, Lee Minho, and Ahn Hyoseop in the cast.

As the controversy spread, Realize Pictures CEO Won Dong-yeon addressed it via social media in February. He said, “Cinematic adaptation is absolutely necessary when turning a web novel into a film,” and added, “When we made Along With the Gods, we also made major changes, but the original author (Joo Ho-min) and the fans understood once they saw the film. I’m still on good terms with the author.”

He further explained, “When we were making the film, we shared the script with the original author in advance and explained all the adaptations. The author fully understood.” He also revealed a poster showing Yoo Jung-hyuk wielding both a sword and a gun, saying, “Yoo Jung-hyuk uses both. The dokkaebi (goblin-like beings) appear as well. While we haven’t adapted the story word-for-word, the message, characters, and worldview remain unchanged,” and asked fans for their support.

However, he did not provide further clarification regarding the character Lee Ji-hye.

source: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/015/0005130463

original post: here

1. You got to be joking me ㅋ

2. Why is Yi Sun-sin holding a gun? This is seriously nonsense

3. This drama needs to fail f*ck, are they selling our country away? What a f*cking waste of money just to bullsh*t like that

4. This is honestly so wrong. Yi Sun-sin should not be holding a gun. This is disgusting. Just make new characters at this point...

5. Holding a gun is practically distorting history

6. They went from being scared of Chinese people's reactions to now being scared of Japanese people's reactions

7. Not gonna watch this

8. This has to flop

9. The f*ckers selling our country away