The Sound of Magic (Korean: 안나라수마나라; RR: Annarasumanara) is a 2022 South Korean television series based on the NaverwebtoonAnnarasumanara[a] by Ha Il-kwon. It is directed by Kim Seong-yoon, written by Kim Min-jeong, and starring Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, and Hwang In-youp.[4] The series tells the story of a mysterious magician, Ri Eul suddenly appearing in front of a girl who lost her dream, Yoon Ah-yi and a boy who is forced to dream, Na Il-deung.[5] The series was released on May 6, 2022, exclusively by Netflix.[6]
The Sound of Magic is an emotional musical drama that revolves around Yoon Ah-yi, an impoverished student at Sewoon High School, who has stopped believing in magic since childhood. After significant misfortune, she wishes to grow up faster to escape the stress of her life. She then meets Ri Eul, an adult magician who wants to remain a so-called 'child'. Under suspicion from the community, he claims to be a real magician, asking everyone he meets "Do you believe in magic?" After being a frequent visitor of Ri Eul's residence at an abandoned amusement park, Ah-yi's classmate Na Il-deung, a cold and well-off student, starts to eavesdrop on her magic lessons and shows 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.[7]
A gifted and wealthy high school boy who comes across as cold and silent, always being immersed in his studies. He is Ah-yi's classmate, and develops a liking towards her. His life and career have changed after meeting Ri Eul.
Yoon Ah-yi, a poor school girl, works part-time and takes care of her younger sister in absence of her bankrupt father. In school she gets to know Na Il-deung, otherwise the best student but beaten in mathematics by Ah-yi. She meets a magician, Ri Eul, at an abandoned amusement park, in whom she finds hope to make her problems disappear.
In school Il-deung approaches Ah-yi for a date. Loan sharks come to Ah-yi's house and demand to know the whereabouts of her father. She is again approached by Il-deung, this time with a proposition for her to score lower marks in a math exam so that he can be the highest rank in exchange for money.
Ah-yi starts learning magic from Ri Eul. Il-deung, becoming curious of her relationship with the magician, follows her to her magic lessons and meets Ri Eul. A photo of Il-deung giving money to Ah-yi gets leaked on an online forum, spreading around the school.
Il-deung's parents and the school make it look like Il-deung gave Ah-yi money out of generosity. The police suspect Ri Eul for a case of a missing student. Ri Eul lets Ah-yi meet her younger self. Baek Ha-na discovers shocking footage from the spy camera she hid in Ri Eul's room.
After watching the footage given by Ha-na, Ah-yi still believes in Ri Eul. Il-deung begins to wonder what he really wants to do outside of what his parents want. Ha-na sneaks into the park but gets caught by Ri Eul. Police arrive at school and question Ah-yi about the magician. The store worker Kim Doo-shik has returned in an aggressive way. Ill-deung gets scolded by his parents and loses control at school.
Police arrive at Ri Eul's residence and arrest him. Ah-yi and Il-deung come to know about the truth of Ri Eul's past. During the investigation, Ri Eul disappears. Later, police find the real culprit.
Production
Development
The series reunited director Kim Seong-yoon and writer Kim Min-jeong who previously worked together in the 2016 drama Love in the Moonlight.[19][20] The series was choreographed by Hong Se-jeong of the musicals Phantom and Laughing Man, while illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol served as the magic advisor. Music director Park Seong-il and lyricist Kim Eana were in charge of the music.[21]Ji Chang-wook practiced magic for three months to play his role.[22]
Casting
In December 2020, it was announced that Ji Chang-wook was offered the role of the magician in the series.[23] In the same month, Hwang In-youp was also reported to have been offered the role of Na Il-deung.[24] In February 2021, it was reported that Choi Sung-eun was in talks to appear in the drama as Yoon Ah-yi.[25] In April 2021, Netflix officially announced production as well as casting confirmation with Ji Chang-wook, Choi Sung-eun, and Hwang In-yeop.[26]
Filming
On July 26, 2021, it was reported that Ji Chang-wook and one of the staff tested positive for COVID-19. As the actor is self quarantined as per protocol, the filming for the series was suspended.[27] On August 11, 2021, filming resumed as it was reported that Ji Chang-wook has recovered from COVID-19.[28] Filming ended in September 2021.[29]
Music
The music of this fantasy music drama was composed by music director Park Seong-il and lyrics are by Kim Eana, Seo Dong-seong, and Lee Chi-hoon. The production team worked together to create the music for 18 months. Director Park Seong-il said, "Once the script was completed, I started composing and took singing lessons for the actors during meetings." Praising the enthusiasm and hard work of the actors during the work period, he said, "I recorded every day for over a year. I needed concentration every moment enough to practice like a recording." Choi Sung-eun said, "As singing was a task, I went to the recording studio every day." Ji Chang-wook said that he worked while talking a lot with the production team about "how to express the emotions of the characters at the point where there was transition to the music in the play."[30]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Park Seong-il on the lyrics of Kim Eana.[31] Aside from Park Seong-il and Kim Eana, the drama's music was also recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.[32] The string recording was done in the second half of 2021 alongside composer Kim Seon Kyong.[33]
A pre-released song from the soundtrack titled "Annarasumanara" (Korean: 아저씨. 마술을 믿으세요?; lit. Mister, Do You Believe in Magic?), rendered by Ji Chang-wook and Choi Sung-eun was released by Vlending Co., Ltd, on April 28, 2022. The full soundtrack was officially released simultaneously with the worldwide release of the series on May 6.[34]
The Sound of Magic was ranked 7th globally in the Netflix TV shows (Non-English) category, one day after its release.[37] On May 11, it ranked no 3 in South Korea, and globally it was at 4th place in the Netflix TV shows (Non-English) category.[38]
Kayti Burt of Paste rated the series 7.3 out of 10 and felt that "lack of narrative clarity keeps The Sound of Magic from becoming something special". Burt appreciated the direction of Kim Seong-yoon and wrote, the "dazzling visuals and the cast’s earnest performances (and solid vocals), make for an enjoyable, brief trip around this merry-go-round ride of a story."[40]
John Serba reviewing for Decider wrote, "The overlong episodes could be nipped and tucked here and there, but The Sound of Magic offers a fine balance of smart and silly." Serba opinion, "Fans of K-stuff will probably love it."[41] Pierce Conran of the South China Morning Post gave 3 stars out of 5 and criticized the narrative for "surprising lack of characters, locations and even extras." Concluding his review, Conran wrote, "In the end this is a half-baked fable that could have been so much more. It’s the sound of magic without the feeling of it."[42]
Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
^Lee Da-won (April 7, 2022). "'안나라수마나라' 지창욱·최성은·황인엽, 신비롭다" ['Anna Sumanara' Ji Chang-wook, Choi Eun-eun, Hwang In-yeop, mysterious] (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (March 28, 2022). "[공식] 지창욱 주연..'안나라수마나라' 공개 5월 6일 확정" [[Official] Ji Chang-wook's starring... 'Anna Sumanara' will be released on May 6th]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
^"지창욱X최성은X황인엽, 넷플릭스 '안나라수마나라' 캐스팅(공식)" [Ji Chang-wook X Choi Seong-eun X Hwang In-yeop cast for Netflix's 'Anna Sumanara' (official)]. Herald Pop. April 15, 2021. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
^Kim, Kyung Hee (April 15, 2021). "하일권 웹툰 '안나라수마나라' 넷플릭스 오리지널 된다! 지창욱, 황인엽 캐스팅" [Hail-kwon webtoon 'Anna Sumanara' becomes Netflix original! Ji Chang-wook, Hwang In-yeop casting]. iMBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
^Moon Ji-yeon (April 15, 2021). "[공식] 황인엽, '안나라수마나라' 출연 확정..지창욱과 호흡" [[Official] Hwang In-yeop confirmed to appear in 'Anna Sumanara'... Breathing with Ji Chang-wook]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
^Jeong Ga-young (September 8, 2021). "[단독] 유재명, 넷플릭스 '안나라수마나라' 출연…황인엽 아버지 된다" [[Exclusive] Yoo Jae-myung to appear in Netflix's 'Anna Sumanara'... Hwang In-yeop becomes father]. Sportsworld (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2021 – via Naver.
^Son Ji-na (May 9, 2022). "지혜원, '안나라수마나라' 출연…황인엽·최성은과 호흡" [Ji-won Ji to appear in 'Anna Sumanara'... Breathing with Hwang In-yeop and Choi Eun-eun]. MK Sports (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
^Lee Jun-hyun (May 9, 2022). "김보윤, 탁월한 연기력+소화력으로 '안나라수마나라' 재미 높였다" [Bo-yoon Kim, excellent acting skills + digestion power 'Anna Sumanara' fun increased]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
^Son Bong-seok (May 10, 2022). "'흥행 부적' 배우 최영준, OTT 넷플릭스 시리즈 '안나라수마나라' 출연" ['Business Charm' Actor Choi Young-jun to appear in OTT Netflix series 'Anna Sumanara'] (in Korean). Sports Trend. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Jae-hwan (May 6, 2022). "김바다, '안나라수마나라' 리을을 쫓는 박 경사" [Kim Bada, 'Anna Sumanara' Sergeant Park chasing Lee Eul] (in Korean). KBS Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Seon-woo (July 20, 2021). "신예 홍서희, '안나라수마나라' 캐스팅…꽃길 행보" [Rookie Hong Seo-hee casts in 'Annarasumanara'... flower path]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
^Kim Yu-jin (July 7, 2020). "[단독] '이태원 클라쓰' 김성윤PD, 넷플릭스 드라마 '안나라수마나라' 연출" [[Exclusive] 'Itaewon Class' Kim Seong-yun PD, Netflix drama 'Anna Sumanara' Directed]. Export News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
^Kim Kyung-hee (April 15, 2021). "하일권 웹툰 '안나라수마나라' 넷플릭스 오리지널 된다! 지창욱, 황인엽 캐스팅" [Ha Il-kwon's webtoon 'Anna Sumanara' becomes a Netflix original! Casting Ji Chang-wook and Hwang In-yeop]. iMBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
^Yang Yu-jin (May 3, 2022). ""당신도 믿게될 거예요"…지창욱 '안나라수마나라', 제작기 영상 전격 공개" ["You will believe it too"... Ji Chang-wook's 'Anna Sumanara', production video released] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Ji-eun (July 26, 2021). "지창욱, 코로나 확진…넷플릭스 '안나라수마나라' 촬영 중단" [Ji Chang-wook diagnosed with Corona... Netflix 'Annarasumanara' Filming Suspended]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jang Woo-young (August 11, 2021). "[단독] 지창욱, 코로나19 완치...'안나라수마나라' 촬영 복귀" [[Exclusive] Changwook Ji, fully recovered of COVID-19... Return to filming for 'Anna Sumanara']. OSEN (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
^Kim Na-yeon (April 20, 2022). ""지창욱→최성은 매일 녹음"..'안나라수마나라', 음악 작업 비하인드" ["Ji Chang-wook → Choi Seong-eun recorded every day".. 'Anna Sumanara', behind the music work]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
^Kim Na-yeon (April 26, 2022). "'안나라수마나라', OST 음원 28일 선공개…지창욱X최성은 가창" ['Anna Sumanara', OST pre-release on the 28th... Ji Chang-wook X Choi Seong-sang]. Osen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
^"NEWS". skkimmusic. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
^Kim Ye-na (April 28, 2022). "지창욱·최성은 부른 '안나라수마나라' OST 오늘(28일) 선공개" [OST of 'Anna Sumanara' sung by Ji Chang-wook and Choi Seong-eun today (28th) pre-release] (in Korean). sports news. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^"안나라수마나라 OST" [Anna Sumanara OST]. Vlending. May 6, 2022. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Melon.
^Jo Eun-byeol (May 8, 2022). "K마술사의 힘? 넷플릭스 '안나라수마나라' 글로벌 7위" [K Magician's power? Netflix's 'Anna Sumanara' ranks 7th globally]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
^Lee Yoo-na (May 13, 2022). "[Y초점] '안나라수마나라' 넷플 글로벌 4위 껑충...K뮤직 드라마, 새로운 가능성" [[Focus Y] 'Anna Sumanara' jumps to 4th place on Netflix... K-Music Drama, New Possibilities]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
^Myung Hee-sook (September 29, 2022). "송중기, '빈센조'로 이견없는 대상…'옷소매' 3관왕 저력 [에이판스타어워즈](종합)" [Song Joong-ki, 'Vincenzo' as the undisputed winner... 'Clothes Sleeve' 3-Win Power [Apan Star Awards] (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2022 – via Naver.