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The Sound of Magic – A Story That Believes in Wonder, But Not Itself
There are dramas that make you think, dramas that make you feel, and then there are dramas that ask you to believe. The Sound of Magic falls into the latter category, a visually stunning, musically enchanting tale that wants you to embrace wonder—but somewhere along the way, it forgets to fully believe in itself. Featuring a star-studded cast with Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, and Hwang In-youp, this six-episode Netflix series is an ambitious blend of fantasy, music, and coming-of-age struggles, wrapped in a world where magic feels just within reach. But while it dazzles in moments, its story sometimes feels as fleeting as a disappearing act, leaving you mesmerized but wanting more.
At its heart, The Sound of Magic follows Yoon Ah-yi (Choi Sung-eun), a struggling high school girl burdened with responsibilities far beyond her years. Living in financial hardship, abandoned by her parents, and shouldering the weight of survival, Ah-yi longs for an escape—something, anything, to lift her out of her suffocating reality. Enter Lee Eul (Ji Chang-wook), a mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park. He appears as a whisper of the impossible, asking a simple yet profound question: Do you believe in magic?
This premise alone sets up a drama filled with wonder, heartache, and existential dilemmas, and Choi Sung-eun carries it beautifully. Her performance is nothing short of mesmerizing—fragile yet resilient, lost yet yearning. She brings depth to Ah-yi, making her struggles feel raw and immediate. Hwang In-youp, playing Na Il-deung, a top student suffocating under the pressure of expectations, serves as an excellent counterbalance. While his role isn’t as fleshed out as it could have been, his portrayal of a boy learning to break free from the rigid world he knows is compelling.
Then, of course, there’s Ji Chang-wook, the heart of the fantasy, the embodiment of wonder itself. His portrayal of Lee Eul is magnetic, whimsical yet profoundly sad, as though he himself is caught between believing in magic and fearing that it might not be real. Every time he appears on screen, the drama lights up with an ethereal glow. His musical performances, particularly his duets with Choi Sung-eun, are some of the series’ most enchanting moments. There is a childlike sincerity to his portrayal—he isn’t just performing magic; he wants desperately to be believed in.
Visually, The Sound of Magic is a feast for the senses. The cinematography is breathtaking, filled with soft glows, dreamlike sequences, and intricate set designs that blur the line between reality and fantasy. The abandoned amusement park feels like a character in itself, an echo of lost dreams and forgotten wonders. Every frame is crafted with the precision of a fairy tale painting, pulling the viewer into a world that exists just slightly outside of reality.
But for all its beauty, The Sound of Magic stumbles where it matters most: its narrative. With only six episodes, the drama feels rushed and underdeveloped, as though it’s trying to weave a grand story without enough time to let its threads fully form. Important emotional beats don’t land as deeply as they should, and character arcs feel glossed over rather than deeply explored. Ah-yi and Il-deung’s struggles are set up brilliantly, but their resolutions feel abrupt, as if the story is cutting itself short just as it’s about to soar.
And then there’s the issue of the magic itself. The drama constantly asks its audience, Do you believe? But it never seems entirely sure of its own answer. Is Lee Eul truly magical, or is he just a man clinging to illusions? The ambiguity is intriguing at first but ultimately frustrating, as it leaves key questions unresolved. Instead of fully committing to its theme, the drama wavers between fantasy and reality in a way that feels more like hesitation than deliberate storytelling.
Despite these flaws, The Sound of Magic still holds undeniable moments of brilliance. The musical numbers, while not overly abundant, are beautifully integrated, offering glimpses into the characters’ souls. The emotional weight of Ah-yi’s struggles is palpable, and the drama does an excellent job of portraying the quiet desperation of youth caught between dreams and survival. Even when the storytelling falters, the performances and visuals carry the experience, making it worth watching for those willing to overlook its flaws.
Verdict: In the end, The Sound of Magic is a drama that shines brightest in moments but struggles to maintain its glow. It is a beautiful illusion, a trick of light and emotion, but one that leaves you wishing for a little more substance behind the spectacle. For those willing to embrace the fleeting nature of magic, it’s still a journey worth taking—just don’t expect all your questions to be answered when the final curtain falls.
Final Score: 7/10
A visually enchanting, emotionally touching drama that dazzles in moments but fades too soon.
At its heart, The Sound of Magic follows Yoon Ah-yi (Choi Sung-eun), a struggling high school girl burdened with responsibilities far beyond her years. Living in financial hardship, abandoned by her parents, and shouldering the weight of survival, Ah-yi longs for an escape—something, anything, to lift her out of her suffocating reality. Enter Lee Eul (Ji Chang-wook), a mysterious magician who lives in an abandoned amusement park. He appears as a whisper of the impossible, asking a simple yet profound question: Do you believe in magic?
This premise alone sets up a drama filled with wonder, heartache, and existential dilemmas, and Choi Sung-eun carries it beautifully. Her performance is nothing short of mesmerizing—fragile yet resilient, lost yet yearning. She brings depth to Ah-yi, making her struggles feel raw and immediate. Hwang In-youp, playing Na Il-deung, a top student suffocating under the pressure of expectations, serves as an excellent counterbalance. While his role isn’t as fleshed out as it could have been, his portrayal of a boy learning to break free from the rigid world he knows is compelling.
Then, of course, there’s Ji Chang-wook, the heart of the fantasy, the embodiment of wonder itself. His portrayal of Lee Eul is magnetic, whimsical yet profoundly sad, as though he himself is caught between believing in magic and fearing that it might not be real. Every time he appears on screen, the drama lights up with an ethereal glow. His musical performances, particularly his duets with Choi Sung-eun, are some of the series’ most enchanting moments. There is a childlike sincerity to his portrayal—he isn’t just performing magic; he wants desperately to be believed in.
Visually, The Sound of Magic is a feast for the senses. The cinematography is breathtaking, filled with soft glows, dreamlike sequences, and intricate set designs that blur the line between reality and fantasy. The abandoned amusement park feels like a character in itself, an echo of lost dreams and forgotten wonders. Every frame is crafted with the precision of a fairy tale painting, pulling the viewer into a world that exists just slightly outside of reality.
But for all its beauty, The Sound of Magic stumbles where it matters most: its narrative. With only six episodes, the drama feels rushed and underdeveloped, as though it’s trying to weave a grand story without enough time to let its threads fully form. Important emotional beats don’t land as deeply as they should, and character arcs feel glossed over rather than deeply explored. Ah-yi and Il-deung’s struggles are set up brilliantly, but their resolutions feel abrupt, as if the story is cutting itself short just as it’s about to soar.
And then there’s the issue of the magic itself. The drama constantly asks its audience, Do you believe? But it never seems entirely sure of its own answer. Is Lee Eul truly magical, or is he just a man clinging to illusions? The ambiguity is intriguing at first but ultimately frustrating, as it leaves key questions unresolved. Instead of fully committing to its theme, the drama wavers between fantasy and reality in a way that feels more like hesitation than deliberate storytelling.
Despite these flaws, The Sound of Magic still holds undeniable moments of brilliance. The musical numbers, while not overly abundant, are beautifully integrated, offering glimpses into the characters’ souls. The emotional weight of Ah-yi’s struggles is palpable, and the drama does an excellent job of portraying the quiet desperation of youth caught between dreams and survival. Even when the storytelling falters, the performances and visuals carry the experience, making it worth watching for those willing to overlook its flaws.
Verdict: In the end, The Sound of Magic is a drama that shines brightest in moments but struggles to maintain its glow. It is a beautiful illusion, a trick of light and emotion, but one that leaves you wishing for a little more substance behind the spectacle. For those willing to embrace the fleeting nature of magic, it’s still a journey worth taking—just don’t expect all your questions to be answered when the final curtain falls.
Final Score: 7/10
A visually enchanting, emotionally touching drama that dazzles in moments but fades too soon.
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