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Choi Sung-eun and Hwang In-yub marvel at The Sound of Magic with Ji Chang-wook

I didn’t realize Netflix’s upcoming fantasy The Sound of Magic would have a musical element, and the new promos have hooked me in good. Based on the popular webtoon Annarasumanara (created by Ha Il-kwon), the drama stars Ji Chang-wook (Lovestruck in the City) as the mysterious magician Ri-eul who lives in an abandoned amusement park along with his parrot named Mi-nyeo. Easily trusting of others and open about his emotions, he wishes to live like a child forever – not unlike Peter Pan.

Enter Choi Sung-eun (Beyond Evil), the jaded high school student Yoon Ah-yi who no longer believes in dreams or magic. Her dad disappeared after his business failed and Choi was forced to grow up fast having been left to take care of her younger sibling by herself. When she meets Ji Chang-wook by chance, she rediscovers the feelings of child-like joy and wonder that she had long since lost.

Fellow classmate Hwang In-yub (True Beauty), on the other hand, struggles with finding self-identity and purpose. Although he studied hard to become the top of his year, he is starting to wonder who or what all that effort was for. Questioning whether his dreams are even his, he feels uncertain about what he actually likes to do.

The new video teaser begins like a musical number, with drum beats guiding Ji Chang-wook’s every step. Whatever is happening, though, is having a magical effect on the students at the high school and we move back and forth between the two locations as a woman starts singing in the background.

Cut to Choi Sung-eun following a butterfly to the rundown amusement park where she meets Ji Chang-wook. As Ji guides Choi through the magical lights and fireworks, he encourages her to open her heart (he even sings!) and Choi hopefully wonders if she can believe what’s happening.

We also get a brief glimpse of Hwang In-yub getting lost in the magic himself, when he’s surrounded by a field of yellow flowers. The teaser comes to a close with Ji Chang-wook’s final flourish of confetti and Ji asks the pressing question, “Do you believe in magic?”

With scripts penned by Kim Min-jung (Moonlight Drawn by Clouds) and PD Kim Sung-yoon (Itaewon Class, Moonlight Drawn by Clouds) at the helm, production is also in the talented hands of music director Park Sung-il (Itaewon Class, My Ajusshi), song lyricist Kim Yi-na (Sing Again 2), choreographer Hong Se-jung (Phantom of the Opera, Mata Hari), and real-life illusionist Lee Eun-gyul.

Netflix drama The Sound of Magic releases May 6.

Via MBN (1), (2), YTN

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All I'm gonna say is that if you like liminal spaces and abandoned buildings and weird places to visit when you're supposed to be a tourist, like I do, and you get a chance to go to Seoul, then you might like to go to Yongma Land, which is the abandoned amusement park this is filmed at, and which none of the Koreans I met on that trip even knew was a thing.
It's in the middle of nowhere way out on the Eastern outskirts of Seoul, and I didn't pick the greatest day or time to go (rainy and overcast and I could only stay for the afternoon) and the train connection is kind of a bitch, but it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed myself, or at least I did; that is, someone who is into urban exploration and thinks a whole bunch of creepy broken toy rides and manequins is entertaining and who could photograph peeling rusting paint all day because *patterns* ...

That's all I really care about here though lmao.
Anyway, liminal space ppl over, bye~!

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While at the liminal amusement park, did you go on the ride of passage? (Sorry!)

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Just spat out my tea.

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The amusement park appears in dramas or Kpop videos though.

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I know, they have a wall up of where they've been featured. But it's not like it's been in anything new for a while, that I know of, or in something that's actually set in and about abandoned amusement park.

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It seems episode 8 of SISYPHUS: THE MYTH (2021) a was filmed at Yongma Land. SISYPHUS was an early drop so I didn’t make it to episode 8.
My source is at our beanie @michh’s wonderful site:
https://koreandramaland.com/listings/yongma-land-용마랜드/

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Ahhhh yes well Sissyphus was a single episode shitpost only for me so... that explains that one lmao

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I remember it. It had a presence.

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I usually go to old prisions and leprosy colonies on remote islands when I travel, and when I go to SK, Buddhist temples are on my must see list, so an abandoned theme park opens a whole other world of possibilities.

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My daughter is a serious photographer, like @sicarius, and we drive back roads in the U.S west, she makes me pull over at the sight of every decrepit structure, so she can take photos evocative of settlers failed dreams. I point out to her that most of them were probably just outhouses. Still, it is true that the weathered wood against the sky does make for some beautiful pictures. In fact I have one hanging above my desk (its an empty 2 story house, not an outhouse, which come to think of it, given the work I do, might be more appropriate.)

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Lmaooo this is so relatable. I'm always torn on road trips between stopping ever 5 seconds to take photos or getting into the groove of driving and not stopping at all haha.
"Probably just outhouses" but even that will tell a story! Haha

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Niiccee. Think I went to six palaces on that trip myself haha. Would've like to go to more temples too.

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My man Jung Kyung-ho filmed a scene in CRUEL CITY/ HEARTLESS CITY (2013) at Yongma Land. I would definitely make a visit if I ever make it to Seoul.
I like to visit cemeteries when visiting foreign cities. Go figure!

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He should have shot Min Hong-Ki the fist time he had the occasion!

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I love reading the grave stones in cemeteries. Every one is a story.

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Yessss. You get it. They contain history, and beautiful stories and they're so peaceful... and you don't have to talk to anyone 😏🤭🤭🤭

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Oh I'm a massive taphophile also! Happy to meet others!! Hehe.
I went to the National Cemetery over Itaewon... Pffft.
Cemeteries have become a mandatory pitstop on domestic road trips also, and I've become quite known for my not quite normal interests lol, and spreading it on to family and friends 😂

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I almost didn't get out of Pere Lachaise Cemetery. I got lost and thought I was going to die there. But then I accidentally turned a corner and found the grave of someone I was researching (and it had never entered my mind to look for them). Spooky.

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That just sounds like the kind of thing that happens in cemeteries, no?
But honestly, ngl I would not be mad about being lost in a cemetery lmao.

I didn't actively seek them out, as much as I do now anyway, when I did some of my more of my bigger overseas trips in the past, (although I had to be dragged out of one in Ireland despite that, so yeah this has always been a thing)
and obviously my current uh, supply haha, is limited to what NZ has, none of which are very old by cemetery standards, but nonetheless I absolutely adore rural NZ cemeteries. There's something so special about them- the more remote, in the middle of nowhere and unlikely to be on Google maps the better.

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There is one close to me where I used to walk my dog and read the inscriptions. There is also a gravestone listing the names of people who were hanged at the turn of the 19th century.

I once discovered a tiny triangle of graves of Pacific Islander people who had been brought to Qld as indentured labourers to work in the cane fields.There were truncated "slave" names on the graves. Really sad.

I'd give anything to get lost in a cemetery in Ireland.

Fremantle prison is a v impressive place. After that I understood how prisons were instruments of colonialism. And of course, Port Arthur in Tasmania. I could go on and on.

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Just jumping into your conversation because cemeteries are fascinating - Have you ever been to the Karori Cemetery in Wellington @sicarius? I used to live nearby and legit got lost in there a couple of times - it’s very big and old (by NZ standards). My favourite/least favourite time was when I stopped to figure out where I was and realised I was standing next to a headstone with my name on it 😂 😬

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The things that happen in cemeteries. 😃 😀 😄

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Nope! Don't get to the NI very much. Next time I get to Wellywood I'll put it on the list ahaha- you know, if I have time between book shops lol.

Omo, how disconcerting! haha

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Why hello there perennial student Hwang In-yeop 👋👋

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Oh my gosh JCW feels like such a good pick for this role. Can't wait!

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Wow, is this the first kdrama musical ever? I didn't know JCW could sing.

The one thing about Netflix is that no matter how whack the story gets, its shows are always a visual feast. This is giving me Disney x Greatest Showman x Alice in Wonderland vibes.

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Glad I'm not the only one who got Greatest Showman vibes. I'm in for JCW!

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I think JCW used to do musicals when he was starting out

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I thought Dream High was musically, but i actually have no idea. JCW sings ost in every drama he's in. I hope this one delivers!

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Does anyone else remember the old Lotte ads with assorted stars and K-pop groups? This trailer reminds me of those, esp the fireworks.

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From my experience, perhaps 80% of university students here can be described with that description of HIY's character.

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Can confirm as a current university student. It’s miserable out here.

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The visual is stunning! Very curious about it!

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I love Wookie and I'll watch him in anything (even though melty took me to the limits). This seems perfect for him.

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This will be my first JCW drama since SUSPICIOUS PARTNER having passed on MELTY, ROOKIE and LOVESTRUCK and I thought SP should have been a 32/16 drama rather than 40/20.
I hope MAGIC is a charm for him.

I am actually more interested in his other upcoming drama: TELL ME YOUR WISH. With its setting and ensemble cast I think JCW could shine. I don’t know if it accurate but according to comments on MDL filming was recently completed. I can’t find practically’ anything ‘official’ on this drama. Here is what MyDramaList has on TELL ME YOUR WISH:
https://mydramalist.com/705665-tell-me-your-wish

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Filming wrapped a few days ago. It still doesn't have a broadcaster yet, but it seems better suited to one of the streaming platforms.

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And I thought that one was this one. Thanks for the info, Haraboji!

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Anytime @mmmmm. I already have availability angst for TELL ME since I am not a Disney+ subscriber.
Btw. Speaking of availability, Viki US will be carrying the other magic drama I plan on watching: MBC’s FROM NOW, SHOWTIME with Park Hae-jin and Jin Ki-joo. Will you be watching or will that be a pass?

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I wish I could share a Disney+ subscription with you or anyone that wants as I haven’t watched anything on Disney+ that much.

And to your question, I think it’ll be a pass for me because 1) I haven’t watched any of PHJ’s projects, and 2) I don’t know who is the actress that is the FL.

I actually am in a drama slump; after I finished 2521, I have been gladly living in the slump because that show was just so. good. I might check out Disney cartoons; I’m in need of uplifting shows that have a lot of heart.

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@mmmmm - Watch Turning Red on Disney+. It's utterly delightful and will help with your 2521 slump.

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I thought he was v good in Empress Ki too.

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Oh, my gosh, this looks so enchanting. I'm definitely gonna watch.

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OMG i cant wait! it look so good!

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…This might just be the first Ji Chang-wook drama I check out since Suspicious Partner all the way back in 2017. The visuals look stunning and the story has true potential. Not to mention how much I like his co-stars. Also I didn’t know he could sing. I guess you learn something new everyday.

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I'm not sure if this is a good thing, but the way he looks and the way the abandoned amusement park looks look similar: creepy (my apology for the lack of a better word which I'm sure there is but I can't think of them atm). I'm not sure if he'll pull this off, but one can always wish.

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I do think some of the creepy vibe is intentional. At least, I hope so because it sure looked like it was. Abandoned amusement parks have this inherent creepiness to it, so I can’t imagine the writer + director not knowing about that.

Yes, I know I’m being too optimistic about this after Ji Chang-wook’s string of failures, but I can’t help but wish for a redemption. Healer remains very close to my heart and I’d hate it if it were the only notable work of his to look back on. I also want this to be good because of Choi Sung-eun and Hwang In-yeop, who are both extremely talented and deserve the boost in their career that a successful Netflix original could give.

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And I also think he gives off the Willy Wonka’s vibe which is again, creepy. I really hope he gets a breakthrough role that shows us he can be more than his character in Healer. Sigh.. it’s sad to see some actors/actresses that we loved can’t get pass that one specific role from which their fame skyrocketed.

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I think his roles this year - in The Sound of Magic and Tell Me Your Wish - will be the last chance I can give him. Even my nostalgia for Healer can no longer overcome the fact that most of his projects have been a mess. Especially Backstreet Rookie, which frankly, I found reprehensible and disgusting. He’s lucky I have so much goodwill from Healer because some part of instincts just immediately feel like avoiding all of his projects after that.

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JCW really has everything it takes (looks, acting skills, charisma) to be a Hallyu star, but he just hasn't had that hit project yet. He should be right up there with SJK, PSJ, KSH, etc.

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This actually sounds like fun.

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This sounds promising!!

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Actually, I'm not a fan of musicals, but will give the drama a chance anyway. Hopefully, the number of vocal interludes will be kept within limits (Cinderella with Camila Cabello was really bad in this respect).

With only six episodes, the drama will be comparatively short.

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