The Legend of the Evil Lake

Lore & Background

The film opens with the massacre of a primitive tribe by Silla's first king, Park Hyeokgeose and his technologically advanced army. The Auta tribal chief in death throes vows vengeance against Silla, and their blood and resentment fill the place where the Sacred Tree was standing, and turns into a lake. To seal off the Auta tribe's force of sorcery, he drives his Holy Sword deep into the Sacred Tree.

The narrative resumes nearly one millennium later, circa A.D. 896, as Silla is showing symptoms of strain and the court is beset by constant rebellions. Queen Jinseong, troubled by the threats to the throne, leans on General Biharang against the counsels of her ministers. Biharang strives to save the country, but he is also weary of the endless battles. He, however, spurns the Queen's romantic attentions in favor of his betrothed Jaunbi, the daughter of an executed rebel, with whom he wishes to settle down and lead a quiet, peaceful life.

While Biharang has left for the country's border to quench the rebels, Jaunbi is chased by assassins who were ordered by the Minister Mun-su to kill her. In panic, Jaunbi removes the Sword from the Sacred Tree thus releasing the soul of Auta tribal chief. But the assassins easily overpower her and try to rape her. Jaunbi somehow slips away from their hands and reaches at the edge of the Evil Lake. She throws herself into the Lake before leaving her necklace there as a sign for Biharang that she is dead. The spirit of the Auta tribe who are resentful of the Silla kingdom use Jaunbi's body to take their revenge on Silla. She is transformed into a flying phantasm with superpowers and seeks to lay waste to Seorabeol, capital of Silla.

Reader's Guide

The Legend of the Evil Lake is a 2003 South Korean fantasy/horror film directed by Lee Kwang-hoon, serving as a remake of Shin Sang-ok's 1969 film A Thousand Year-Old Fox. The film was not particularly well received and drew 101,478 viewers at Seoul theaters. Its significance lies in its connection to earlier Korean cinema through the remake, and its use of historical Silla-era settings and folklore elements, including the legend of a thousand-year-old fox. The plot intertwines political turmoil, romance, and supernatural revenge, centering on the release of a vengeful spirit from an evil lake. The cast includes Jung Joon-ho as General Biharang, Kim Hyo-jin as Jaunbi, and Kim Hye-ri as Queen Jinseong. The film's legacy is modest, noted primarily as a remake of a classic and for its modest box office performance.

Did You Know?

• It was seen by 101,478 people at Seoul theaters.
• The plot involves the spirit of the Auta tribe using Jaunbi's body to take revenge on Silla.
• The film was directed by Lee Kwang-hoon.