Netflix is home to a number of Korean drama series, and it’s safe to say that the popularity that they bring isn’t going away anytime soon. The Sound Of Magic is one such example. Who would have thought that cheerful musicals, impressive magic tricks, and harsh reality checks would ever go hand-in-hand? Not only that, but the hints of teenage romance, murder, suspense and impressive musicals were enough to keep the audience at the edge of their seats. While it may appear as if it has managed to tick all the right boxes, it may be worth looking at what the drama has to offer.
The Sound of Magic stems from a web-toon that encompasses an array of genres. Directed by Itaewon Class’ director, Kim Sung-yoon, this series comprises six long episodes. The plot revolves around a teen, Yoon Ah Yi (Choi Sung-eun), who struggles with crippling poverty and is bullied in school. She is left to raise her young sister and deal with various loan sharks. Just when the 17-year-old thought she had found a guardian angel, betrayal followed, and things never quite went her way. This is until she meets an odd magician, Ri Eul (Ji Chang-wook), a man who is the living embodiment of serendipity. Throughout the series, Ri Eul tries to convince Ah Yi that magic is actually real and can be implemented in our daily lives. However, she refuses to believe it. This is until she realizes the real magic inside her.
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Who Are the Characters?
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Ri Eul, also known as Ryu Min Hyuk, is a magician who lives in an abandoned theme park. He is considered to be an insane and twisted man that is a bad influence on everyone around him, but he begs to differ. He is a child stuck inside the body of an adult. He believes in the existence of magic and wants others to believe in it as well.
Meanwhile, Ah Yi is an innocent and hardworking teenager that learned to extinguish the childhood spark in her mind and submit to the cruelties of the world. She becomes an adult living in the body of a child. Then, Ri Eul becomes her source of motivation and strength with his incredible magic tricks, songs, and kindness. He manages to make her see the world through his eyes.
Another character, II-Deung (Hwang In-youp), is a rich high school student who also has his own fair share of troubles in life. He has a good head on his shoulders and knows how to take control of his life. He falls in love with Ah Yi and strives to protect her from the delusions of the magician. He later changed his opinions about Ri Eul.
While the trio shares many similarities, their main common ground is, how none of them fit into today’s standards set up by society.
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What Worked?
Even though it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the show, the real message behind it lies in its heartfelt and subtle life lessons. These meaningful messages are perfect for those who are struggling with finding a place for themselves in today’s society. The plot also shows how people should never change to fit in with everyone and that it’s okay to want different things.
One of the key highlights in The Sound of Magic are the magic tricks. Each of them is displayed in an alluring manner by the actors. Although magic tricks are all about misdirection, Ri Eul does a great job of keeping the audience at his fingertips, literally.
Ri Eul and Ah Yi mirror each other well. The antagonist, Baek Ha-Na, shows off her brilliant acting skills that are sure to make the audience infuriated with her. Hwang In-youp’s acting skills morph him perfectly into the character of an arrogant, kind and troubled rich kid.
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What Didn’t Work?
There were a few plot holes that were left unanswered. For example, in the last episode, the police were unable to find Ri Eul after he disappeared. Although they knew there were trap doors on the floor, the police didn’t think twice about looking at them. Viewers were also left to interpret the mental illness that Ri Eul was going through. Another thing that left the audience curious, was the mailbox in the theme park. If all of Ri Eul’s magic tricks were fake, how did the letters left by Ah Yi disappear?
Some emotional scenes were rushed, and some of the musical score was bland and had no emotional value. For example, in the “Do You Believe in Magic” song, the lyrics didn’t make much sense, and there was nothing magical about them, in contrast to the visuals.
It’s a tale as old as time, and yet, the world of The Sound of Magic tugs at heartstrings like no other, transporting the audience into a magical realm. It has stunning cinematography, impeccable sound design, and an assortment of original music that will stay with fans long after the drama is over. Whether viewers are Ji Chang-wook fans, theater enthusiasts, or just casual drama watchers, The Sound of Magic is something that is not to be missed!
