Drama Digest
Yoon Ah-Yi and her younger sister are working part time as they are under huge debt and their parents fled and went into hiding. Despite her unfortunate circumstances, she manages to get close to the top rank in school. Her academic rival and classmate Na Il-Deung compete with each other for the top rank and end up falling for one another. Things begin to change when Yoon Ah-Yi meets a magician at an abandoned amusement park who manages to comfort her in these trying times and performs for those who believe in magic. Her magical, fantastical journey begins at the park with magician Lee Eul. Sound of Magic is the adaptation of the Webtoon named Annarasumanara.
The Feel-Good Part
The show deals with childhood poverty with a lot of sensitivity. It’s portrayed with subtlety; the characters can be easily sympathized with without completely victimising them, which is an ode to the incredible execution and writing of the show. The world building of the fantasy elements of the show is very detailed and consistent. It makes sense when it comes together with the real world and doesn’t compromise on the aesthetic. This provides an immersive experience for viewers. The use of music in the show is quite elaborate; it often feels like a Hollywood musical. This music is a beautiful aspect of the show and really sets it apart. Additionally, the music is used to take the plot forward. The cinematography and special effects are brilliantly executed. The show leans into the fantasy a lot and does it well because of how well the technical aspects come together. The series imparts a lot of life lessons and manages to be quite sweet by the end despite some darker themes that were represented.
The Disappointing Factor
There are a lot of unanswered questions by the end of the show, which might bother some viewers as they may feel that the story wasn’t developed adequately. The direction of the show is a little choppy as there are too many flashbacks and the plot often seems to be jumping from one place to another, which can get confusing and distracting quite quickly. The show also tends to bite more than it can chew as some it tries to adapt too many things from the web comic. It feels like too much is happening in a short period and makes the pacing a little inconsistent.
In-Depth Analysis
The show is quite unique when put next to the recent Korean Dramas as it has fantasy as its main setting and leans in on it heavily. The elaborate musical scenes are a delight to watch as it’s well executed as well as a rare medium of storytelling in the K-Drama circuit. There are pacing issues because of the short run time but it gives the audience enough entertainment for them to be able to overlook it quite easily.
Star Power
All the performances were great. Each actor added their personal touch to these web comic characters and made it their own while still staying true to the core of the original characters.
Overall Opinion
While The Sound of Magic may not be to everyone’s taste, it’s a refreshing change from the standard drama narrative structure. It’s a must watch for people who are looking for something new to watch.
