Questioning the world that adults create, The Sound of Magic spares the youth from the aimless race of success.
Trapped in a world set by the standards of society, the youth are forced to chase the success adults have dictated to them. Breaking that cold path through believing in magic, a new beginning is granted to those who were once hopeless.
- Main Cast: Ji Chang Wook | Choi Sung Eun | Hwang In Youp
- Supporting Cast: Oh So Hyun | Ji Hye Won | Hong Jung Min | Kim Bo Yun | Im Ki Hong | Park Ha Na | Kim Hye Eun
- Streaming Site: Netflix
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Kdramas of Similar Vibe: The Witch’s Diner | It’s Okay to Not Be Okay | Dream High | My Mister
Marcie Line watched The Sound of Magic on Netflix
The Sound of Magic Quick Plot Recap
Living with no adults around to help her in carrying the expenses of their household, Yoon Ah-yi (Choi Sung Eun) takes on a part-time job at the convenience store. However, she loses her money, and she is led to an abandoned amusement park.
There she meets a mysterious magician named Ri-eul (Ji Chang Wook). She first doubts his ability to do real magic, but with several encounters, she comes to learn magic from him.
Curious about his seatmate, top of the class Na Il-deung (Hwang In Youp), secretly follows Ah-yi to the abandoned place. Although suspicious at first of the magician, Il-deung also comes to learn magic from Ri-eul.
A series of crimes are reported, and the police along with the others point Ri-eul as the suspect. As Il-deung no longer believes in the path paved by his parents, he joins hands with Ah-yi in trusting in Ri-eul, whose past is severely saddening.
The Sound of Magic Series Peak Points
Vibrant Musical Performances
As the series is also a musical, viewers could enjoy the drama with musically-fueled performances. Understanding the lyrics of each performance accurately captures the feeling of the scene.
Moreover, it supports the mood of the story, expressing the sincere emotions and thoughts of the characters.
A song from IU is also included in the drama, and its melody could be appreciated while also empathizing with the situation of Ah-yi and Yoo-yi who are left alone to take care of themselves even though they are still minors.
Unfolding the Prejudiced Eyes of Society
Reflecting the unjust treatment due to class difference, Ah-yi, who is impoverished exemplifies how people value a person’s economic standing and family background, even at the juvenile level.
Due to her circumstances in life, she is treated poorly compared to Il-deung, who is wealthy and has noble parents.
At the time when Ah-yi tried to tell the truth to their teacher, her act of receiving money from Il-deung has been translated differently according to their economic class. In the view of Ah-yi receiving money, it was seen as extortion. However, for Il-deung who is rich and top of the class, his act was translated as generosity.
Ri-eul, who is a drop-out and has a medical history, has been unanimously pointed out to be a suspect. Il-deung’s parents are the prime examples of adults who push people to the edge, even with the lack of evidence, just because of the person’s background that strays from society’s definition of success.
Wake-up Call to Irresponsible Adults
At first, Ah-yi thought of her mother as dead, however, it was later shown that her mother left their house. Her father then flees also from their house, and she is then left to take care of her younger sister and meet with their father’s creditors.
On the other hand, Il-deung’s parents force on their child the path they see as success. Even at the expense of neglecting their child’s happiness, they are stern about having him walk on that paved road they created for him.
Instead of protecting the young, all the adults in the series, including their teacher, the police, and the convenience store owner, have led the youth to harm.
The morals and standards they impose are twisted and questionable. Giving way to that awakening, comforting messages reflects to the idea of the characters’ inner child.
The Sound of Magic Series Musings
The Sound of Magic, which originated from a webtoon, has succeeded in delivering a meaningful series with amazing visuals and soundtracks.
Supporting the emotional events in the series, musical performances from the talented actors and actresses can be appreciated. IU’s song, Knees (무릎), has been featured in the series as well, which can also be something to look forward to.
Numerous lessons and memorable lines can be taken home from this series. As it deals with the youth, it has provided a guiding light to those who are lost in life.
Adults, as presented in the series, tell you to lie and order the path one should be taking. Pursuing blindly the success society dictates, Il-deung represents a large population of people stuck in that aimless race.
However, understanding the metaphors in the series, Il-deung chooses the rocky road over the asphalt road created by his parents. Other than that, there are also various meaningful symbols throughout the series which could be analyzed.
The magic performed by Ri-eul is fascinating, but they are not miracles like it was thought of at the beginning. However, Ah-yi and Il-deung’s belief in it has created a breakaway from their suffocating lives.
Success Redefined Outside Society’s Standards
Beautiful flowers bloom on bumpy dirt, not on smooth asphalt, as stated by Il-deung. Sometimes, success is best enjoyed when it is a goal we truly own, and not an attempt just to please society’s standards.
Disparaging eyes from society will always be there, and at times it can be stifling. However, if we commit to things we truly desire, there is hope in living a meaningful life.
Watch The Sound of Magic on Netflix.
Photos: Netflix
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