Chronicle of Exorcism 2 -- Portrait Painting is Summons

Author: [Korean] Lee Eun-haek
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Fantasy, Wuxia, Suspense, Horror. A seminal work by Lee Eun-haek, a pioneer of Korean fantasy. An adaptation of the novel, including a film and an online game, is set to be introduced to China. The English version has gained acclaim in the West and is hailed as a classic of Eastern fantasy.
In the summer of 1993, in a Korean online chatroom named "SUMMER," Lee Eun-haek, a young engineer who graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in mechanical design, posted excerpts of his creation, The Exorcist Chronicles, online. It immediately sparked a sensation, causing his popularity to soar, and the entire chatroom transformed into a hub for The Exorcist Chronicles.
In 1994, the first seven volumes of The Exorcist Chronicles were published by Seoul-based Dulnyouk Publishing, generating a massive response. It nearly turned into a nationwide reading frenzy, with some readers claiming that his life was dedicated to waiting for the next installment of The Exorcist Chronicles.
Continuing until July 2001, The Exorcist Chronicles was published in its 19th volume, becoming a monumental work. Statistics show that by the end of last year, The Exorcist Chronicles had sold over 10 million copies in Korea, where the total population exceeds 40 million.
Although the first release in China only includes the first three volumes—A Voice Calls You to Open Your Eyes, The Portrait Paints a Lure, and The Secret of the Grasshopper Sword—the magical, wuxia, suspenseful, and horror elements characteristic of Korean horror novels are fully evident here. Additionally, the unique esoteric Buddhism and legendary tales of Korean culture are woven into this work.
The Exorcist Chronicles is hailed as the cornerstone of "Korean Horror." It follows the struggles of four main characters—four "Exorcists"—against evil forces in the human world. The story narrates the tale of supernatural demons, ghosts, and other paranormal phenomena tormenting humanity, as the four "Exorcists" rise to combat them. Along the way, the story also features allies who lend them a hand and formidable adversaries who stand in their way.
The four "Exorcists" are highly skilled individuals with extraordinary abilities, having experienced countless extraordinary encounters. Under no circumstances would they harm humans or use their powers on ordinary people. Initially, they quietly rescued those tormented by vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts, gradually embarking on the path of "exorcism" and ultimately embracing their mission to dispel evil.
The Exorcist Chronicles is divided into four parts—Domestic, International, Mixed World, and Apocalypse—with a total of 19 volumes. Each book contains several stories of varying lengths and quantities. These stories are relatively independent yet interconnected.
Not only does The Exorcist Chronicles feature thrilling and suspenseful plots, but its background settings are also meticulously crafted. The use of Eastern symbols such as exorcism rituals, demon summoning, samurai imagery, and supernatural mental powers constructs a unique atmosphere that blends fantasy and wuxia, enhancing the novel's eerie and captivating tone.