Looks like Warner Bros and Disney aren’t the only ones that get to play with magic this year. Recently, Netflix has been killing with the K-drama releases. From big-budget science fiction series like “The Silent Sea” to gritty, crime thrillers like “Juvenile Justice” and “My Name”. The K-Drama genre has certainly spread its wings for the past decade. That being said, nothing quite beats a good old-fashioned K-drama romance, the kind that just sweeps us off our feet and has us bawling our eyes out. If you’re pining for one those, then we think we’ve found just the series you’re looking for this year. Enter “The Sound of Magic”. A K-Drama series that follows the adventures of a young high school girl who has an encounter with a strange magician who forever changes her life.
Yes, yes we know the whole high-school teen being whisked away by a handsome otherworldly being is an utter cliche at this point. Trust us, though, when we say that “The Sound of Magic” (안나라수마나라) is going to be your next big binge and here’s why!
1. Ji Chang-Wook’s Lee Eul is simply magical
Fans of the series ” Lovestruck in the City” will no doubt recognise Chang-wook from his role as the sweet, puppy-dog architect Park Jae-won. Here, we get to see a different side of Chang-wook, playing the role of a magical Edward Cullen like character who beckons the young high school girl into a world full of mystery and romance. Part of the fun of “The Sound of Magic” is learning about the Magician Lee Eul’s past. How did he get his powers? Why does he wish to stay young forever? More importantly, what does he want with the young Yoon Ah-yi? He seems to be connected to the abandoned theme park, Magic Land. Perhaps there is a tragic past that ties his amazing abilities to the park and Ah-yi.
2. A relatable and adorable female lead
Choi Sung-eun, from “Beyond Evil”, plays the down-on-her-luck highschooler Ah-yi, who has to deal with the pressures of her studies while finding a way to support herself and her sister. On top of that, her father abandoned her family as well. It’s a modern day fairy-tale about a young girl carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Longing to finally be financially independent. And while her new mysterious friend isn’t exactly an accountant or financial advisor, he’s certainly got some tricks up his sleeves. Recently, we’ve noticed K-Dramas addressing more grounded issues of poverty and wealth inequality in South Korea. It’s nice to see that even in a show about magic, our heroin still has bills to pay!
3. Who doesn’t love musicals?
The answer: people we don’t want to know. From Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to “Aladdin”, everyone loves a catchy number from time to time to break up the drama. Which is exactly what we’re getting here in “The Sound of Magic”. The soundtrack here isn’t some pop-song playlist or stock instrumentals. The score and music in the show are composed by Park Sung-Il and recorded by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. That’s right, you’re getting the full Disney princess experience here. The way the score sweetly hums before it comes roaring in full blast is a thing of beauty. A perfect match for the show’s fantastical theme.
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Some of our favourites include the bubbly “The Magic in Me” and the melancholic ” Don’t Make Me Dream”. Oh, and there’s the breath-taking duet, “Annarasumanara”! Sung by none other than our two leads Ji Chang-wook and Choi Sung-eun. If Chang-wook’s singing voice is as buttery and smooth as his speaking one, then we’re in for a ride. Get ready for the song “Annarasumanara” to be on your playlist for a while.
4. Spicy Love Triangle
Much like a magic trick, life is rarely as simple as it seems. For young Ah-yi, she’s going to have to make a tough choice between the two men in life. On one hand, there’s the dashing magician who can whisk her away on an adventure away from her mundane responsibilities and day-to-day troubles. On the other is the nerdy, but still very handsome, Na Il-Deung. A classmate whose been something of a rival to Ah-yi as they both compete to gain the top position in class. Along the way though, the both of them start developing feelings for each other. Will Ah-yi go for the safe and secured Il-Deung? Or will her heart embrace the magic of Lee Eul? Guess we’ll have to stay tune to find out. It’s a classic steamy love triangle and we’re loving it!
5. Making Magic
Beyond romance, music and drama, “The Sound of Magic” sees Chang-wook embracing his inner performer as his character dazzles Ah-yi, and us, with some impressive magic tricks. From sleight of hand to duplication to disappearing acts. What sets him apart from the other so-called magicians as seen “Now You See Me” is that Lee Eul possesses actually magical powers, which explains how he can manipulate the park into doing his will. The special effects department went all out in trying to paint Magic Land as this timeless beacon of child-like wonder. Don’t expect to see “Game of Thrones” level of sorcery here though. The magic here is meant to whisk away to K-Drama Neverland…not Westeros. If you’re anything like us, then you’re dying to know the source of Lee Eul’s abilities.
So are you excited about Netflix’s “The Sound of Magic”? Have you caught with the latest episodes of “Lovestruck in the City”? You can now catch it out on Netflix today and be sure to check out some our favourite K-Drama couples this year!
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