'Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning' evokes deep nostalgia

Original novel fans reflect on animated revival of occult flick

By Baek Byung-yeul

Korean animated film “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning" is sweeping through cinemas, not just as a box office hit but as a nostalgic revival that's deeply resonating with fans of the classic occult novel.

Especially for fans in their 40s who first read the Lee Woo-hyuk novel during their teenage years, the original book reminds them of cherished memories from their youth.

“Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning," serialized from 1993 to 2001 and sold more than 10 million copies, left an indelible mark on readers by blending supernatural thrills and spiritual depth. Decades later, fans of the classic are witnessing their beloved story come to life on the big screen, evoking a flood of emotions and memories.

“I was deeply moved to see the novel I read since elementary school come to life as an animation. I had only imagined the adventures of the exorcists rescuing people possessed by evil spirits while reading the text. I was amazed at how well these scenes were visually realized,” Park, a 41-year-old office worker, said.

The animation “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning" is a prequel, delving into the origins of its protagonists and diverging from the original storyline. It reveals how disgraced ex-priest Father Park, vengeance-driven martial artist Hyeon-am and gifted young shaman Joon-hoo come together to form an unlikely team.

The film's ability to faithfully recreate the complex world of "Exorcism Chronicles" has been a major source of delight for fans. The stunning animated sequences and attention to detail transport the viewers back to the days when they first immersed themselves in the novel's pages.

Hyun, a 42-year-old Seoul resident, expressed a similar sentiment.

"As a huge fan of the original novel, I had both high expectations and some anxiety before watching the animated feature. Ultimately, the 85-minute runtime felt too short. Although I felt that the characters' backgrounds were not fully explained, considering it was a movie version that had to be shown concisely within a set time, I could understand,” he said.

The emotional impact of the film extends beyond mere entertainment as it offers them a journey to their youth and a chance to reconnect with a story that shaped their childhoods.

"When the end credits rolled, my heart was filled with warmth. I was happy that the novel I read as a child was made into such a great movie, and it made me realize how much time has passed,” Hyun added.

The animated feature was released in theaters on Feb. 21. Since its release, it has drawn over 160,000 audiences, ranking second following “Captain America: Brave New World” as of Wednesday.

Thanks to its popularity, the e-book version of the novel was also released on the e-book platform Millie’s Library following the release of the movie version and has been topping the reading charts.

The animation is also scheduled to meet global audiences as it will be released in North America, Europe and some Asian countries such as Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.