The Sound of Magic (Korean:안나라수마나라;RR:Annarasumanara) is a 2022South Korean television series based on theNaverwebtoonAnnarasumanara[a] byHa Il-kwon. It is directed byKim Seong-yoon, written by Kim Min-jeong, and starringJi Chang-wook,Choi Sung-eun, andHwang In-youp.[4] 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.[5] The series was released on May 6, 2022, exclusively byNetflix.[6]
Yoon Ah-yi, an impoverished student at Sewoon High School, has stopped believing in magic since childhood, and, after significant misfortunes, wishes to grow up faster to escape the stress of her life. She then meets Ri Eul, a magician who wants to remain a child even though he's an adult. 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 spy on her magic lessons and as a result 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.[7]
A gifted and wealthy high school boy who comes across as cold and silent, and is always immersed in his studies. He is Ah-yi's classmate, and develops a liking towards her. His life and career change 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 and Detective Kim arrive at school and question Ah-yi about the magician. The store owner Kim Doo-shik has returned in an aggressive way. Ill-deung gets scolded by his parents and loses control at school.
Police and Detective Kim 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.
The series reunited directorKim Seong-yoon and writer Kim Min-jeong who previously worked together in the 2016 dramaLove in the Moonlight.[19][20] The series was choreographed by Hong Se-jeong of the musicalsPhantom andLaughing Man, whileillusionist Lee Eun-gyeol served as the magic advisor. Music director Park Seong-il and lyricistKim Eana were in charge of the music.[21]Ji Chang-wook practiced magic for three months to play his role.[22]
In December 2020, it was announced thatJi 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 thatChoi 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]
On July 26, 2021, it was reported thatJi Chang-wook and one of the staff tested positive forCOVID-19. As the actor 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 had recovered from COVID-19.[28] Filming ended in September 2021.[29]
The music of this fantasy music drama was composed by music director Park Seong-il and lyrics are byKim 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]
The soundtrack was composed by Park Seong-il on the lyrics ofKim Eana.[31] Aside from Park Seong-il andKim Eana, the drama's music was also recorded with theCzech National Symphony Orchestra.[32] The string recording was done in the second half of 2021 alongside composer Kim Seon Kyong.[33]
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 ofPaste rated the series 7.3 out of 10 and felt that "lack of narrative clarity keepsThe Sound of Magic from becoming something special". Burt appreciated the direction ofKim 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 forDecider 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 theSouth 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]
^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. RetrievedApril 12, 2022 – viaNaver.
^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. RetrievedMarch 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. RetrievedMay 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. RetrievedApril 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. RetrievedMay 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. RetrievedSeptember 8, 2021 – viaNaver.
^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. RetrievedMay 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. RetrievedMay 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. RetrievedMay 10, 2022 – viaNaver.
^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. RetrievedMay 6, 2022 – viaNaver.
^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. RetrievedJuly 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. RetrievedOctober 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. RetrievedOctober 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).MyDaily.Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. RetrievedMay 4, 2022 – viaNaver.
^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. RetrievedJuly 26, 2021 – viaNaver.
^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. RetrievedAugust 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. RetrievedApril 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. RetrievedApril 26, 2022.
^"NEWS".skkimmusic.Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. RetrievedApril 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. RetrievedApril 28, 2022 – viaNaver.
^안나라수마나라 OST [Anna Sumanara OST]. Vlending. May 6, 2022.Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. RetrievedMay 6, 2022 – viaMelon.
^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).MyDaily.Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2022 – viaNaver.
