The Sound of Magic is a six-episode Netflix series about a boy who finds a magician living in an abandoned amusement park, and the magic that changes both their lives. It is based on the webtoon Annarasumanara by Ha Il-kwon, and it stars Ji Chang-wook as the magician Ri Eul, Choi Sung-eun as the girl Yun Ah-yi, and Hwang In-youp as the boy Na Il-deung. The show premiered on May 6, 2022, and it is a drama about belief, loss, and the strange power of a man who refuses to grow up.
The premise is simple. Yun Ah-yi is a poor student at Sewoon High School who has stopped believing in magic since childhood. After a series of misfortunes, she wishes to grow up faster to escape the stress of her life. Then she meets Ri Eul, a magician who wants to remain a child even though he has been an adult. As Ah-yi visits Ri Eul’s residence at the abandoned amusement park, her classmate Na Il-deung, a rich and cold student, begins to spy on her magic lessons and 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.
Trailer, via Netflix K-Content.
Ri Eul and the Abandoned Amusement Park
Ji Chang-wook plays Ri Eul as a man who is trapped in a child’s body. He performs magic for a living, but he is also a man who has been an adult for years. The contrast between his childish appearance and his adult experience is the engine of the series. His magic is the reason Ah-yi comes to him, but his refusal to age is the mystery that drives the plot forward.
The abandoned amusement park is a central location. It is a place where magic can exist without scrutiny, a hidden world within a city that has forgotten it. The park is full of rides, games, and empty buildings, and it feels like a place where time moves differently. The show uses the park as a visual anchor, a place that separates the magical world from the harsh reality of everyday life.
Yun Ah-yi and Her Lost Dreams
Choi Sung-eun plays Yun Ah-yi as a girl who has stopped believing in magic. Her family is poor, and she has faced significant misfortunes that have left her wishing to grow up faster. When she meets Ri Eul, she is drawn to his magic, but she is also wary of him. The show builds a slow bond between them, showing how Ah-yi’s faith in magic returns through her lessons with Ri Eul.
The relationship between Ah-yi and Ri Eul is the emotional core of the series. Their lessons are intimate, private moments where Ah-yi learns to believe again. The show spends time on the small details of their interactions, the way they talk to each other, the way they look at each other. This intimacy is what makes the series work, even when the plot slows down.
Na Il-deung and the Cold Classmate
Hwang In-youp plays Na Il-deung as a cold and well-off student who spies on Ah-yi’s magic lessons. He starts to show a liking for Ah-yi and magic, which complicates the story. The show sets up a love triangle between Ah-yi, Ri Eul, and Il-deung, but it never fully resolves it. Il-deung’s feelings for Ah-yi are genuine, but they are also complicated by his own privilege and his inability to understand her struggles.
Il-deung’s arc is less developed than Ah-yi’s or Ri Eul’s. The show introduces him as a spy, then lets him become a friend, but it never fully explores why he changes. The love triangle feels unresolved, which is a weakness in an otherwise tightly constructed series.
Detective Kim and the Real World
Choi Young-jun plays Detective Kim, who investigates Ri Eul. His presence grounds the series in reality, reminding us that the world outside the amusement park is still there. The detective’s investigations create tension, forcing Ri Eul and Ah-yi to hide their activities. This tension is necessary for the show to work, as it creates stakes for the characters.
The detective’s role is a balancing act. He represents the real world, the world where magic does not exist. His investigations force the characters to be careful, to hide their magic, and to lie. This creates a constant low-level threat that keeps the audience engaged.
Baek Ha-Na and the Supporting Cast
Chi Hae-won plays Baek Ha-Na, and Kim Hye-eun plays Il-deung’s Mother. These characters provide context for the main trio, giving us a sense of their families and their backgrounds. The supporting cast is well-drawn, but they are secondary to the central relationship between Ah-yi, Ri Eul, and Il-deung.
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 Webtoon Origin and Its Adaptation
The series is adapted from the webtoon Annarasumanara, created by Ha Il-kwon. The adaptation is faithful to the source material, with the same characters and the same basic plot. The show expands on the webtoon, adding scenes and details that were not in the original, but it stays true to the spirit of the story.
The show’s creators include Kim Seong-yoon, who directed it, and Kim Min-jeong, who wrote it. The series was announced in December 2020, when Ji Chang-wook was offered the role of Ri Eul. Hwang In-youp was also offered the role of Na Il-deung in the same month. Choi Sung-eun was in talks to play Yun Ah-yi in February 2021, and Netflix officially announced production and casting in April 2021.
The Music and the Mood
The music is a key element of the series. It is moody, atmospheric, and often magical. The score supports the tone of each scene, whether it is a lesson in the amusement park or a tense investigation by the detective. The sound design is also strong, with the sounds of the park and the city blending together.
The cinematography is clean and focused. The show uses the amusement park as a visual anchor, with its rides, its empty buildings, and its faded colors. The park is a character in itself, a place that feels both inviting and dangerous. The show’s visual style is consistent throughout, which helps maintain the overall mood.
What Works and What Does Not
The series is strongest when it focuses on the relationship between Ah-yi and Ri Eul. Their lessons are the best scenes, and the show handles their growing bond with care. The magic itself is presented as a source of wonder, not just spectacle. The show understands that magic is a tool for telling stories, not a gimmick for special effects.
The series is weaker when it shifts to the detective’s investigations or Il-deung’s storyline. The detective’s investigations are necessary, but they sometimes feel like filler. Il-deung’s arc is less developed, and his love for Ah-yi never feels fully earned. The show tries to balance three perspectives, but it succeeds with only two.
Ranking the Episodes
The six episodes of The Sound of Magic follow a clear structure. The first episode introduces Ah-yi and Ri Eul, establishing their relationship. The second episode introduces Il-deung and the detective, broadening the scope. The middle episodes deepen the bond between Ah-yi and Ri Eul while keeping the detective’s investigations in the background. The final episodes resolve the main plot, though not everything is tied up neatly.
Here is how the episodes rank:
- Episode 1 — the strongest, introducing the central relationship
- Episode 2 — solid, setting up the detective and Il-deung
- Episode 3 — average, developing the bond between Ah-yi and Ri Eul
- Episode 4 — average, continuing the development
- Episode 5 — strong, building towards the resolution
- Episode 6 — satisfying, resolving the main plot
The show’s pacing is uneven. Some episodes move quickly, while others drag. The middle episodes, in particular, feel like they are waiting for the final stretch. The show is better when it is focused on the characters, and it suffers when it drifts into plot machinery.
The Final Verdict
The Sound of Magic is a solid adaptation of a beloved webtoon. It captures the essence of the original story, with strong performances from Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, and Hwang In-youp. The show is moody, atmospheric, and emotionally engaging. It is a show about believing in magic again, and it earns that theme through its characters and its storytelling.
The show is not perfect. Its pacing is uneven, and some arcs feel underdeveloped. The love triangle between Ah-yi, Ri Eul, and Il-deung is unresolved, which leaves a loose end. The detective’s investigations are necessary, but they sometimes feel like filler.
Despite these flaws, The Sound of Magic is a worthwhile watch. It is a show that respects its source material, and it delivers on its promise. It is a drama about magic, but it is also a drama about loss, hope, and the people we choose to trust.
The series is available on Netflix, and it is worth a look for anyone interested in Korean dramas, magic, or coming-of-age stories. It is a show that rewards attention, with a strong central performance and a compelling emotional core.
The score is 7.7 out of 10.
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