6 Reasons Why The Sound Of Magic Will Dazzle You
The magical experience that we’ve been longing for!
The Sound of Magic is a brand new series based on the well-loved webtoon Annarasumanara by Ha Il-kwon, that tells the story featuring Yoon Ah-yi, a girl who has lost sight of her dreams in the face of reality, and Na Il-deung, a boy pressured to meet his parents’ demands. An unexpected yet enchanting story unfolds when they encounter the mystical magician, Ri-eul.
With a compelling story and the involvement of renowned director Kim Sung-youn from Itaewon Class, Netflix presents a story with fantastic visuals with magical moments and music.
Check out some reasons why you’re going to fall in love with the series:
A MEANINGFUL MESSAGE BEHIND THE MAGIC
Director Kim was moved by how the original story depicted characters who wavered between their dreams and reality – and how in the thick of things, their belief in “magic” alleviated their hardships. Beyond the glitz and glitter, The Sound of Magic is a story about rediscovering childhood wonders and what it means to be a “good” grown up. Viewers will get to see different sides of the same coin from Ah-yi and Il-deung’s perspectives as they face financial struggles and the pressure to satisfy parental expectations respectively.
A MULTI-TALENTED CAST
Ji Chang-wook with his ever-commanding presence is joined by two exceptional up and coming actors, Choi Sung-eun and Hwang In-youp, in this fantastical series. Ji Chang-wook, who learned and practised magic tricks for three months in preparation for his role, will bring his charm as the mysterious magician Ri-eul who doesn’t want to become a grown-up. Additionally, Choi Sung-eun will star as Yoon Ah-yi, a high schooler who must support herself and her younger sister after their father abandons them. Hwang In-youp on the other hand will play Il-deung, a boy whose name means ‘Number One’ in Korean, tries to live up to his name but loses track of what he truly wants along the way.
MUSIC THAT WILL LIVE IN YOUR HEAD RENT-FREE
Director Kim consulted renowned music director Kim Moon-jeong to achieve a perfectly balanced trifecta of story, acting and music. The musical element in the series was used to portray the emotions of the characters more effectively, weaving in words to create the right expressions to convey everything that needed to be said. The project was no small feat as the actors worked closely with the music team for over 18 months to learn, rehearse, and record the songs.
MOVING TO THE MOTION
Choreography director Hong Se-jung is the man behind the movements in The Sound of Magic, determined to create natural, heartfelt movements that can elicit emotions even with the most minute gestures. “Throughout the series, music and lyrics serve as the lines for the actors, as their language in telling the story. I was responsible for the language of the body that accompanies those moments,” he said.
CAPTIVATING VISUALS FOR WEARY EYES
The series’ visuals proved to be one of the most important elements in portraying the crisscrossing of reality and fantasy in the world of The Sound of Magic. With the help of art director Kim So-yeong, the team wanted to create a backdrop that “isn’t too far removed from reality but so captivating that you forget about everything else when you’re there”. It took three months to scout locations with a good balance of fantasy and reality, and transitional spaces that allow one location to seamlessly segue into another.
MAKING THE MAGIC HAPPEN
Korean magician and illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol was tasked with putting together a FX team for its special effects, ensuring that they fit the characters and overall tone of the series. The director intended for the magic to come in as an overarching concept within the series rather than a gimmick. Thus, Lee strove to present magic as something far greater than a sleight of hand, allowing it to serve as the key expression that carries the underlying message of the work.
The Sound of Magic premieres on Netflix at 3.00 PM MYT this Friday, 6 May 2022.
