The film ″Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint″ has struggled at the box office, facing criticism for its inadequate adaptation of the popular web novel it is based on. Produced by Lotte Entertainment, the film initially generated significant buzz, topping pre-release ticket sales. However, it only managed to attract 1.04 million viewers by its third week, falling short of its estimated break-even point of 6 million viewers, given its production budget of approximately 30 billion won.

The original web novel, which began in 2018 and continues to be updated, features an expansive universe and has garnered over 300 million views globally. The webtoon adaptation has achieved an impressive 2.5 billion views. The film centers on Kim Dok-ja, who must navigate challenges alongside the novel’s protagonist, Yoo Jung-hyuk. Realize Pictures, known for the successful ″Along with the Gods″ film series, produced the film, directed by Kim Byung-woo, and features a cast that includes Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Min-ho, and Nana.

Controversy arose over the film’s alterations to key characters and the original narrative, particularly the transformation of Kim Dok-ja into a kindhearted hero, which diverged from the original’s premise. Audience disappointment was evident, as many found the plot lacking depth, with battles between monsters and humans failing to engage viewers.

Similarly, the Netflix series ″The Square″ faced backlash for straying from the original’s thematic essence. Despite ranking first among non-English series on Netflix during its second week, it received a low 2.5 rating in domestic user reviews. The original webtoon portrays a power struggle among gangs outside the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, focusing on the protagonist Ki-joon’s quest for revenge. However, the series shifted away from this concept, opting instead for action-driven content.

On a more positive note, some adaptations have successfully bridged the gap between original works and their film counterparts. The film ″Zombie Daughter″ exceeded its break-even point of 2.2 million viewers within a week of release, reaching 3.35 million viewers by its 11th day. This film is praised for its faithfulness to the webtoon, telling the story of a father undergoing special training to protect his daughter, who has turned into a zombie.

Disney+’s 11-part series ″Fine: Country Folks″ is also gaining traction, topping domestic content recommendation platforms. The series effectively brings the original webtoon’s narrative to life, directed by Kang Yoon-sung and featuring Ryu Seung-ryong, Im Soo-jung, and Yang Se-jong, earning positive reviews.

Star casting plays a significant role in a film’s success. Blackpink’s Jisoo was cast in ″The Exclusive,″ but the redesign of her character sparked controversy. In contrast, Yunho’s compelling performance in ″Fine,″ characterized by his distinctive Jeolla dialect, has been well-received.

Overall, films and TV series adapted from popular webtoons and novels in the latter half of this year have received mixed reviews. Those that successfully blend the original’s appeal with the strengths of film adaptations are achieving both box office success and artistic merit.