The Sound of Magic Review: Conjuring the Best Classical Webtoon Into a Musical K-drama
“Annarasumanara” is one of the best comics on the Webtoon platform which debuted in 2010. This comic by Ha Il-Kwon not only has a slice-of-life story that touches the heart and is full of learning, but the artwork from “Annarasumanara” also blends perfectly with the narration. Creates visually stunning poetry that is hard to replace. Seeing the visuals, we will be made to believe in the magic performed by the mysterious magician.
Lifting the comic into a project that is quite ambitious. A production design that rivals the source material should live up to the expectations of fans of this classic Webtoon. After bringing up classic titles such as “All of Us Are Dead” to “Tomorrow”, now it’s the turn of “The Sound of Magic” to color Netflix.
This latest K-drama stars Choi Sung-Eun as Yoon Ah-Yi, Ji Chang-Wook as the magician, and Hwang In-youp as Na Il-deung. Ah-yi is a teenager who has to grow up faster because of the harsh life. Meanwhile, a mysterious magician on top of a hill doesn’t want to move from the joy of a child. The two meet and begin to uncover other sides of their lives.
When “The Sound of Magic” was announced as a k-drama project, the first question for comic book fans would be; how will they match the visual beauty of the comics? “Annarasumanara” is a comic that is able to present an immersive feel even though it is only through 2D images. There was magic in the air that fans could feel when reading the comic in its time. The drama version wants to liven up that sensation by executing “The Sound of Magic” as a musical k-drama. Something that we rarely find on a daily basis in this entertainment scene.
While listening to Ah-Yi’s story with the magician, we will enjoy the musical offerings in each episode. At least in every episode and two songs performed by each character in turn.
Musical presentations are also an opportunity to evoke visuals with dramatic cinematography. Seen his efforts to present visual magic that is vibrant and magical. For those of us who like musical dramas, “The Sound of Magic” can be a k-drama entertainment with new nuance.
Ah-Yi and the magician are the two main characters who dominate the story with their contrasts. Ah-yi is a teenage girl who must have responsibilities at a young age. Where should he focus on studying or enjoying his youth by having fun? Instead, he had to work, support his younger brother, and even fit in when there were debt collectors looking for his father.
Ah-Yi’s views as a teenager who matures faster are also interesting to observe. For example, when he revealed that he liked mathematics because science always has a definite answer, unlike magic which is full of tricks and deceit.
Meanwhile, the magician who looks much more mature than Ah-Yi seems free to spend the whole day in the abandoned playground. Like Peter Pan in Neverland. Not having a ‘normal’ job, at least according to Ah-Yi.
There will be a twist in the development of the magician’s story that is quite heartbreaking. Not in a romantic scenario, but about the life of the mysterious magician himself. For those who haven’t read the comics at all, “The Sound of Magic” is worth listening to until the end.
The scenario of Too Early Romance and Spice of Intrigue with Classmates
As a k-drama dish, the scenario will not feel complete without a romance scenario and spicy intrigue. Unlike the source material, in the initial episode, Ah-Yi was immediately matched with the supporting character, Il-deung. Until finally a love triangle scenario arises, not something surprising anymore in k-drama. Makes this series a bit of a loss of originality.
Ah-Yi’s life without a touch of intrigue with her classmates is hard. Coupled with that scenario will make us feel too sorry for Ah-Yi. Where appears the antagonist character, is a rich female classmate. Come to harass or just do a little bullying experiment. The two additional elements in this k-drama adaptation scenario only keep the script from having a generic plot.
“The Sound of Magic” is a musical k-drama that presents a different visual experience from the usual titles. The slice-of-life script presents in-depth material about the ups and downs of life. Both for a teenager and adults. Even with all the plots full of misfortune and difficulties, “The Sound of Magic” has a heartwarming ending for the audience.
