Reviews

Lack of story direction = Disappointing

Let me start this off by saying I really did want to like it and was really looking forward to this. My critique is harsh but I ultimately did enjoy it for what it was/could've been.

TL;DR: Aimless, over-ambitious, and over-inflated plot that commits to nothing and does not feel rewarding. Would've worked better as a drama. Cute role reversal, though.

A movie that wanted to do and be a lot, so it ended up just being aimless. Maybe this is because it's based on a manhua that likely goes on forever and they wanted to include as much of it as possible, but the story (in movie format) feels extremely rushed and at the same time boring as hell. The important scenes aren't actually made important and so much is going on of little consequence that you don't really care about anything. There's no time to actually sit with the characters before you're yanked onto the next scene. It goes from one beat to the next in the snap of a finger, and important moments are sped through or shown in montages, depriving the audience of any anchor to connect with the story or characters.

To me, it felt like I watched the combination of the first and last episode of a drama with some scenes sprinkled here and there for connection. It felt like one of those YouTube recaps more than an actual movie.

But a bad plot for me can ultimately be passable if the characters are good, but that too was lacking because everything was so rushed. I think the characters are what actually suffered the most. The moments where the two leads can actually have a moment of quiet and interact with each other for longer than 30 seconds at a time were the absolute highlight for me. Unfortunately, those can be counted on one hand, because the romance is mostly in the background. Had they committed more to the rom part of the romcom, I think this would've been a far more enjoyable experience... But alas, they did not.

So, what's the main point of the movie if not the romance in a romcom? I honestly have no clue. I don't think even the creators know. Like I said at the beginning, it wants to do and be so much. They wanted the sports arc, the fashion arc, the romantic arc, the love-triangle arc, the secondary couple arc, and the acceptance arc... So they did all of them very, very sloppily. In order for so much to work in 1½ hours, the story needs to be tighter, but in my opinion, it should've been a drama. That way, everything could've unfolded better and actually told a meaningful story, allowing the characters to lead us through their lives and hardships rather than this speedrun of the manhua (which is what I'm guessing happened).

Pivotal moments between the leads that develop the romance were completely missing, all for the sake of all this other inflating filler that ultimately added nothing and went nowhere, because that, too, was glossed over and rushed. Things are set up at the beginning, and then at one point, we get a 180 turn and they're resolved. No buildup, no resolution. Just a brief conversation/line if you're lucky, and voila.

As for the rest... Nothing stood out. The production quality is mid to low-tier, so don't expect good camera-work, locations, sound quality, or music but it's watchable. As for the acting, it was alright. ML and FL were good enough; everyone else was honestly pretty lacking. The comedy was 95% a miss for me. It relies a lot on obnoxious humour. The funniest moments where the unintentional ones, I do think.

It has some entertainment value if you're here for the atypical role reversal dynamic between the lead couple (aka, if you want to see some short king x tall queen rep which I for one very much did), but if not, you might wanna skip this one.

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅ ── ⋅ ⋅

◇ Was it what I was expecting? Pretty much.
◆ Did it live up to its potential? No.
◇ Would I watch it again? Maybe, probably not.
◆ Would I recommend it to others? Not really.

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WOW - Just WOW

Powerful movie. I won't give any spoilers. I will say that my university Chinese instructor shows a couple of movies every semester and I am going to recommend this one to her for fall 2025. I am also going to see if I can actually find a DVD available for purchase.
I didn't cry but I definitely could feel tension and sadness within myself while watching this. I was never bullied and to the best of my knowledge I didn't know anyone who was bullied when I was in school. BUT, I am an English tutor now and one of my students had to transfer schools because he was being bullied so much. My heart hurt for him because he is a delightful third grader.
Anyway, I would highly recommend watching this movie. Excellent work by the cast. This came out in 2019 and I noticed two actors that I have seen in dramas I have watched so it was cool to see them in some of their earlier work. I also loved the realism of the faces done by makeup people. The characters looked like real people instead of the perfectly made up idol faces we see in TV dramas.

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I watched both version.

If you didn't watch the original story:
I think you can like it. It's fun and easy to watch. PP and Bilkin are great actors so obviously it's good. PP and Bilkin's characters are touching and funny.

If you did watch the original story:
I don't think you will hate it, but it's obvioulsy different. The main difference is the lack of developpement of the support character. Which make it hard to get as much as emotionnal as in the original story, for the dad/son relationship. In the original story, the dad show some care for the son throughout story, here he just show care in one sentence at the begining and only at the end.
+ It's not funny to see the only fat character loving so much food. Like.. Please fat people aren't just here to be mocked.

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Had potential but was underdeveloped

From watching the movie, I could sense the artistic vision that the people who worked on this had, the sets and production was beautifully crafted and pleasantly messy and overwhelming, with many scenes worth taking time to analyze and interpret. There was also a surrealistic element; as if it aims to make the viewer wonder if the protagonist will randomly wake up to realize it was all a dream. The way this was filmed was undeniably enticing, which made it different from most I've seen. The distinct use of colors noticeably played a big part of emphasizing intense emotions and accentuate on the otherworldly vibe of everything. The nature of the film felt like it needless to be understood, but instead to be enjoyed and appreciated for whatever absurdness and unexpected course of events it delivered.

I initially gave it a watch for Kubata Masataka and I definitely enjoyed his character and was pleased with how unique it was from his other roles. The bold styling and fashion added so much personality to every character and made them all so worth investing in , which left me slightly dissatisfied that there was , in my opinion, not enough time spent on having the characters play a part in the story, I was looking forward to Oguri Shun's character who was implied to have a more important role in the trailer, so I didn't think he was going to be mysteriously killed off so easily. I also wished for more "world building" of what kind of place the restaurant was.

In despite of everything - the romance aspect really caught me off guard and didn't make sense, although looking back, there were development in the characters' relationship, I felt like revealing the romance in such a crucial moment totally broke the flow of this movie, cutting it short with many things unresolved and shifting from the build up of the uncanny encounters at the restaurant to just a romance story, hence why the ending didn't quite resonate with me.

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Anime is way better

As much as the show had its own charm, the anime just hits different. There’s a depth in the anime that the live-action couldn’t fully capture — whether it’s the way emotions are expressed, the visual storytelling, or those quiet moments that say so much without a single word. The pacing, the atmosphere, even the smallest details feel more intentional and immersive.

The animation gives it a unique magic — there are scenes that feel almost dreamlike, and the characters’ emotions come across with such intensity, you feel every second. The voice acting alone adds a whole other layer of meaning, and the background scores? Absolutely soul-stirring.

Some things are just better felt than explained — and the anime brings that emotional weight, those subtle cues, and those unforgettable moments in a way that stays with you long after you finish it. It’s not just better — it’s something else entirely.

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Attempts to adapt a well-loved web novel into a feature-length film, but the result is a deeply disappointing cinematic experience. From the outset, the movie struggles with incoherent storytelling, rushed pacing, and an overwhelming reliance on exposition rather than meaningful character development. The narrative fails to provide a clear direction, making it difficult for viewers unfamiliar with the source material to understand or emotionally invest in the plot.

One of the film’s most glaring weaknesses lies in its screenplay. Instead of immersing the audience in a rich, post-apocalyptic world, the dialogue feels stilted and unnatural. Key emotional moments are undercut by clumsy writing and awkward transitions. Characters are introduced without proper context, and their motivations often feel unearned or superficial.

Visually, the film is inconsistent. While some CGI elements are passable, many of the action sequences appear rushed and poorly choreographed. The use of dim lighting and jarring camera angles detracts from scenes that should have been thrilling or emotionally resonant. Technically, it lacks the polish expected of a major adaptation.

Perhaps most problematic is the film’s tonal imbalance. It swings unevenly between melodrama and action, never settling into a cohesive identity. Moments intended to carry emotional weight are often overshadowed by unnecessary plot twists or excessive narration. This results in a film that feels disjointed and emotionally hollow.

Despite the popularity of the original story, "Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy" ultimately fails to capture the depth and nuance of its source. Rather than elevating the material, it dilutes it into a confusing, over-produced spectacle with little narrative payoff. As an adaptation and as a standalone film, it regrettably falls short and is not recommended for viewers seeking a meaningful or well-crafted experience.

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Not worth your time—seriously. How does this have 5.7/10 rating?!

Okay... As a fan of ORV I have to ask: Wth went through the director's head when he made this? The story is butchered! There are so many things wrong with this movie:
1) The characters... Kim Dokja is a bully?? What?! He wants to save the world?? What?! What is this? Kim Dokja was a victim of bullying. He isn't a bully... Also his goal has never been to save the world!! He just wants to survive! What do you mean he loves and takes care of his *single* mom?? What... So they just erased all the childhood trauma caused by his father and him murdering him??? Wth is this?! Also the scene where Yoo Jonghyuk throws Kim Dokja from the bridge... Has the director ever opened ORV? No way in hell would Kim Dokja act like that 😭Kim Dokja doesn’t hate the novel! What?? It is literally what kept him alive for years after surviving his sewerslide attempt... Overall they just butchered my boy KD.
Also what did they do to my girl Sangah?! Why is she a healer? That literally destroys her whole character and everything she stands for. The whole "she quit her job" thing was also very weird. She was on the train not because she quit but because her male co-worker stole her bike in an attempt to get her following him. Although it, compared to everything else, is a small change, it complete erases the struggles she has with fighting and struggling misogyny. Instead they reduced her into a typical pointless female character that brings nothing to the story—turning he rbasically into the thing she fights against.
Removing important representation seems to be this movie's theme from Kim Dokja's bullying, Yoo Sangah's misogyny and now Lee Heewon's S/A. They completely erased Heewon's backstory. They completely erased her S/A and the aftermath of her wanting to kill the bastard who did that to her. Oh, and apparently she is now a maincharacter. I love her but she is not the main character.
2) Overall casting. The actors are pretty good and big names in the industry (from who I could recognize) but they do not suit the characters at all! The biggest beef I have with Lee Jihye and Yoo Jonghyuk's actors... I used to be a blink when bp debuted and I in no way hate Jisoo but... Let's be honest, she's too mature to portray a HIGH SCHOOLER. Lee Jihye is supposed to be an energetic and chaotic teenager who also battles with the grief and trauma from having to kill her classmates. I just find Jisoo's portrayal too mature and gloomy(?) for her. I also did not like Yoo Jonghyuk's actor(no hate). It might be more of a problem with the styling but... Instead of looking like an op protagonist in a novel, he looks like a homeless person(with the clothes and the hair...). I also just don't think his face suits the character that well.
3) What did they do to my pookie Bihyung? Why are they now a gumball machine?? Wth.

There are way more things but this pmo so bad that I can't even word them here in a mature and kind way. I, with the rest of the ORV fandom, will continue boycotting this and will not acknoledge it's existence. I would give this a 0/10 if it was possible. Thank you and bye.

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Honestly...if not for the star cast, this was truly garbage. and personally as a novel reader i am truly hurt that they changed the whole premise of the story. Each character had their own developments and story arcs....which the movie did them so dirty and i feel ick just watching them >_> I wasnt given the best first impression by the trailer, then the interviews, and now the complete movie.
All movie - only watchers can go do whatever in the reviews and comments (i have no......big... problems with the cast at all...it could be better, but this is still fine), the problem lies with the script, changes made to the characters, and overall design of the movie.

Hopefully the anime does better. (also solo leveling live action is coming!??)

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This movie is completely out of line with the novel.

First, Kim Dokja's character is out of place in the movie. The writer made Kim Dokja's character unique and unique to everyone who has read the novel or the manhwa. Fan becomes a hero character The movie's progression was bad especially the presentation of the characters. From the first scene everything is revealed. Kim Dokja really loved reading the novel "Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World" it helped him forget his gloomy reality and he was the only reader it's the novel untill the end .He was even eager to see the ending. He wanted to see the ending because he was the only reader of this novel. Not a rewrite. Kim Dokja's ability to reference and the fourth wall was strongly present in the novel and the manhwa.Where did you go in the movie? The characters that had strong personalities became weak in their presence. I see that the director is mocking the author of the novel for giving him such a bad movie based on his wonderful masterpiece "omniscient reader's viewpoint" .The ratings and reviews should be less than 5 because every fan was excited about the movie and then he collided with a bitter reality. I think the fans of Kim Ji Soo wants to support her that's why some of the ratings were 10. I don't know who the blind who would give a 10 rating after comparing the novel and the movie.!?

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Billkin & PP Deliver Again ❣️

This movie is absolutely hilarious and surprisingly beautiful too. I was laughing from start to finish! Even though it’s a comedy, it has emotional depth and doesn’t feel shallow at all. I didn’t watch the original version since I usually stick with Thai shows, so I can’t really compare the two.

Let’s talk about the characters:

Billkin as Menn – He plays a straight guy who works as an undercover cop, but he’s terrible at it. Every mission turns into a disaster, and his boss is constantly yelling at him. Basically, he’s a walking bad-luck magnet. One day, while walking in the park, he sees a red envelope and thinks it’s an angpao (a money envelope), so he picks it up. That moment completely changes his life.

PP as Titi – His character is clearly a hopeless romantic. He is an openly gay and used to have a boyfriend, but sadly, the guy was just using him—for a condo, gifts, and who knows what else. Titi dreamed of getting married one day, but that all ended after his accident. To make it worse, his ex was basically scamming him the whole time.

I won’t go into too much detail about their story to avoid spoilers. Some people say it’s a BL, but honestly, I didn’t really feel any romantic connection between Menn and Titi. It felt more like a deep friendship or even a family-like bond. We never really find out if Menn still has any family, since he’s shown living alone. But what I really love is how he finds comfort and a sense of belonging with Titi’s family. His dad and grandma treat Menn like he’s one of their own, and that warmth really stood out to me. Although, I don't feel any romantic connection between Menn and Titi, the movie kept me entertained the whole time, and I liked how it ended—it felt realistic. No reincarnation or magical twist.

Acting-wise, everyone delivered their roles well especially Billkin who can't just play a serious role but he's definitely a versatile actor. The production value is also solid, you can tell they really put effort into it. The color grading was great, as well as the OST.

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White Snake and Green Snake: Retelling of a classic by a Master Fimmaker of Hong Kong cinema

If you grew up with the classic legend of Madame White Snake, Tsui Hark’s vision here is a refreshing arresting remake of that story involving the same characters. Based on the post-modern take of author Lilian Lee with the same name for her novel, the movie explores contentious themes and makes one consider humanity more deeply.

Two snake spirits in the Southern Song Dynasty finally leave the purple bamboo forest to live as humans. When seen through the eyes of Green Snake in this movie, certain deviations from the classic legend become understandably natural. Fat-hoi is not an old monk but a young handsome man who has become one with Buddha. Scholar Hsui Xien of the West Lake has two flaws which become impossible to ignore by the end of this tale. Green Snake and White Snake as individuals and as sisters are the pivotal relationship affecting their choices, once a certain conflict becomes unavoidable. Changes in the two main male characters contribute significantly to improving the plot and lessons of this retelling.

Tsui Hark also brings to life important elements and dimensions to the supernatural spirits (妖) and humans (人) in this movie, whereby knowing the differences and fundamentals for the four classes of 神人鬼妖 is necessary to understanding Fat-hoi's perspective in what he chooses to do within the first 7 minutes of this movie. Being human does not equate to being more morally righteous. An animal spirit cultivating and learning to be a human is about accepting what to do with limbs you are not used to, understanding emotions, seeing different perspectives from a very different world, and trying to decide how to act like a human. Humans do not necessarily understand emotions better than animals or supernatural spirits, especially love pertaining to different types of relationships.

In this wonderful retelling to transform what I grew up with, the relationship of White Snake and Hsui Xien finds a natural outcome. The relationship of changes between White Snake and Green Snake also intersects with that outcome, understandably through Green Snake making certain choices due to circumstances beyond her control but she must face. Who is the wiser sister? Were Hsui Xien’s choices correct? Is fate fair to all of them?

Karma and debt reach an understanding in poignant consequences and self-realisation. With limited screentime, Tsui Hark remarkably weaves and demonstrates the flaws and perspectives of relationships between Green Snake and White Snake, White Snake and Hsui Xien, Hsui Xien and Green Snake, plus Fat-hoi and Green Snake. Each character manages to grasp epiphanies, but at what cost?

Tsui Hark is a very talented storyteller and does not shy away from demonstrating certain elements and rawness, be it ugly or flawed or pitiful or enchanting. His grasp of the classic legend plus Lilian Lee's version, while deftly incorporating various topics such as Taoism, Buddhism and Chinese mythology is what enables this masterpiece. The end result is a touching unforgettable story of what could have been and how to look back at what has gone before. You, the viewer, are there in the moments with the characters and yet, you are not visible to them. There is no over-acting. The main cast and secondary characters have brought to life a story that would be portrayed exactly in this manner, if it were true in those times.

The soundtrack is a wonderful accompaniment to the scenery and story, lyrics rich in meaning. The art director, martial arts directors, and production sound mixers have helped to breathe life into a tale that I did not know I wanted for Madam White Snake (but I had always wanted a different version more encompassing and different for characters such as Green Snake), until I saw this in the late 90s..Tsui Hark allowed the main set to be wall-less. Gauzy fabrics were utilised. The art director and costume designer understood what he was going for. To portray the flowing changes of mood and atmosphere within the abode where the two snake sisters live including sensuality, the residence was based on Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty paintings, corridors and columns and gauzy fabrics able to create the necessary changes as per the story.

Peking Opera’s lead female role Qingyi was central to the clothing and costume designs for the two sisters. The actor for Hu Hsien was also trained in classical Peking Opera.

The English subtitles are very decent.

That said, the sets may have aged poorly if you expect the standards of modern special effects and technology. These sets capture a specific timeframe of nostalgia and beauty for me, and can be revisited in 4K restored version of the movie. Joey Wong embodies Bai Suzhen for Lilian Lee's novel brought to life, by turns innocent and wise and seductive. Maggie Cheung as the younger snake sister is transformational, aptly portraying Green Snake's learning, temper, bluntness, and attempts at being a proper human.

The impact of this iconic movie by Tsui Hark can be seen in the dramas of certain producers such as Guo Jing Ming, whereby a certain scene in episode 30 of the 2024 drama Fangs of Fortune is literally inspired by the final scene of this movie. There are other elements of this movie also inspirational and seen in that drama series, but that is not the point of this review.

Tsui Hark’s works such as the 1983 Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain and the 1992 New Dragon Gate Inn always contain vital lessons and elements guaranteed to make you think, haunting you long after the credits have rolled. This love of labour is no different, as seen in the final twenty seconds of the movie.

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