The Sound of Magic (Korean: 안나라수마나라; RR: Annarasumanara) is a 2022 South Korean television series based on the Naver webtoon Annarasumanara by Ha Il-kwon. It is directed by Kim Seong-yoon, written by Kim Min-jeong, and starring Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, and Hwang In-youp. The series tells the story of a mysterious magician named Ri Eul who suddenly appears in front of Yoon Ah-yi, a girl who lost her dreams, and Na Il-deung, a boy who is forced to dream. The series was released on May 6, 2022, exclusively by Netflix.
Contents
Synopsis
Yoon Ah-yi, an impoverished student at Sewoon High School, has stopped believing in magic since childhood, and, after significant misfortunes, wishes to grow up faster to escape the stress of her life. She then meets Ri Eul, a magician who wants to remain a child, although he has been an adult. After being a frequent visitor to Ri Eul's residence at an abandoned amusement park, Ah-yi's classmate Na Il-deung, a cold and well-off student, starts to spy on her magic lessons and, as a result, starts to show a liking for Ah-yi and magic. Ah-yi's life changes as she becomes a follower of Ri Eul, once again believing in magic and pursuing her dreams.
Cast
Main
Ji Chang-wook as Ri Eul / Ryu Min-hyuk
Nam Da-reum as young Min-hyuk
A mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park. He wants to remain a child even in adulthood.
Choi Sung-eun as Yoon Ah-yi
Joo Ye-rim as young Ah-yi
A high school student who lives alone with her younger sister and wants to grow up sooner than later. She struggles to make a living.
Hwang In-youp as Na Il-deung
Choi Seung-hoon as young Il-deung
A gifted and wealthy high school boy who comes across as cold and silent, and is always immersed in his studies. He is Ah-yi's classmate and develops a liking towards her. His life and career changed after meeting Ri Eul.
Supporting
Jo Han-chul as Yoon Ah-yi's father
Hong Jung-min as Yoon Yoo-yi, Yoon Ah-yi's younger sister
Yoo Jae-myung as Na Il-deung's father Na Ji-man
Kim Hye-eun as Na Il-deung's mother
Ji Hye-won as Baek Ha-na, classmate of Yoon Ah-yi and Na Il-deung
Kim Bo-yoon as Kim So-hee, classmate of Yoon Ah-yi and Na Il-deung
Oh So-hyun as Seo Ha-yoon, classmate of Yoon Ah-yi and Na Il-deung
Lim Ki-hong as homeroom teacher Li Ki-hong
Yoon Kyung-ho as Kim Doo-shik. Owner of the supermarket Nice-on.
Choi Young-joon as Detective Kim
Kim Bada as Detective Park
Park Ha-na as Min Ji-soo
Hong Seo-hee as young Min Ji-soo
Yoon Sa-bong as Yoon Ah-yi's landlady
Ryu Kyung-soo as a part-time employee at a convenience store
Park Seul-gi as Bella, Ri Eul's parrot (voice appearance)
Woo Mi-hwa as Seo Ha-yeon's Mother.
Production
Development
The series reunited director Kim Seong-yoon and writer Kim Min-jeong who previously worked together in the 2016 drama Love in the Moonlight. The series was choreographed by Hong Se-jeong of the musicals Phantom and Laughing Man, while illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol served as the magic advisor. Music director Park Seong-il and lyricist Kim Eana were in charge of the music. Ji Chang-wook practiced magic for three months to play his role.
Casting
In December 2020, it was announced that Ji Chang-wook was offered the role of the magician in the series. In the same month, Hwang In-youp was also reported to have been offered the role of Na Il-deung. In February 2021, it was reported that Choi Sung-eun was in talks to appear in the drama as Yoon Ah-yi. In April 2021, Netflix officially announced production as well as casting confirmation with Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, and Hwang In-yeop.
Filming
On July 26, 2021, it was reported that Ji Chang-wook and one of the staff members tested positive for COVID-19. As the actor self-quarantined as per protocol, the filming for the series was suspended. On August 11, 2021, filming resumed as it was reported that Ji Chang-wook had recovered from COVID-19. Filming ended in September 2021.
Music
The music of this fantasy music drama was composed by music director Park Seong-il, and the lyrics are by Kim Eana, Seo Dong-seong, and Lee Chi-hoon. The production team had worked together to create the music for 18 months. Director Park Seong-il said, "Once the script was completed, I started composing and took singing lessons for the actors during meetings." Praising the enthusiasm and hard work of the actors during the work period, he said, "I recorded every day for over a year. I needed concentration every moment enough to practice like a recording." Choi Sung-eun said, "As singing was a task, I went to the recording studio every day." Ji Chang-wook said that he worked while talking a lot with the production team about "how to express the emotions of the characters at the point where there was a transition to the music in the play."
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Park Seong-il on the lyrics of Kim Eana. Aside from Park Seong-il and Kim Eana, the drama's music was also recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. The string recording was done in the second half of 2021 alongside composer Kim Seon Kyong.
A pre-released song from the soundtrack titled "Annarasumanara" (Korean: 아저씨. 마술을 믿으세요?; lit. 'Mister, Do You Believe in Magic?'), rendered by Ji Chang-wook and Choi Sung-eun was released by Vlending Co., Ltd, on April 28, 2022. The full soundtrack was officially released simultaneously with the worldwide release of the series on May 6.
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10.
Kayti Burt of Paste rated the series 7.3 out of 10 and felt that "lack of narrative clarity keeps The Sound of Magic from becoming something special". Burt appreciated the direction of Kim Seong-yoon and wrote, the "dazzling visuals and the cast's earnest performances (and solid vocals), make for an enjoyable, brief trip around this merry-go-round ride of a story."
John Serba, reviewing for Decider wrote, "The overlong episodes could be nipped and tucked here and there, but The Sound of Magic offers a fine balance of smart and silly." Serba opinion, "Fans of K-stuff will probably love it." Pierce Conran of the South China Morning Post gave 3 stars out of 5 and criticized the narrative for "surprising lack of characters, locations and even extras." Concluding his review, Conran wrote, "In the end this is a half-baked fable that could have been so much more. It's the sound of magic without the feeling of it."
Viewership
The Sound of Magic was ranked 7th globally in the Netflix TV shows (Non-English) category, one day after its release. On May 11, it ranked no 3 in South Korea, and globally it was at 4th place in the Netflix TV shows (Non-English) category.