A captivating supernatural, whimsical romance, with very pretty love songs in its OST, The Sound Of Magic (2022) was a haunting story line about some young people who experienced many family hardships and heartaches but who never really gave up hope to find happiness eventually in their lives, even if it entailed using magic to achieve it.

The original webtoon by Ha Il Kwon was used to create the short drama series of only six episodes, combining magic, pretty music, and creative choreography to create something different-feeling into the streaming Netflix drama world. It's really a unique drama but it's easy to be carried away by its pleasures, like a true fantasy. Director Kim Sung Yoon (Itaewon Class, Love In The Moonlight, Discovery Of Love) introduced the work saying, "This is a drama that asks questions about what it truly means to be an adult, and how to live a happy life despite serious obstacles." He did a very good job directing this special short drama. Kim Min Jung (Tell Me That You Love Me) did a solid job writing the derivative screenplay, too.

The Main Stars were beloved actor Lee Chang Wook (Healer, Empress Ki, If You Wish Upon Me) and Choi Sung Eun (Last Summer, films Gentlemen and Ten Months). They had nice chemistry together in the drama. Supporting cast included Hwang In Yeop (Family By Choice) as second male lead and Ji Hye Won (It's Okay to Not Be Okay) as second female lead playing a student at their high school in the story. They did well, too, with their roles, even as at times their characters seemed a little bit abstract in their reactions to certain situations.

The Story:

High school student Yoon A Yi (Choi Sung Eun) supports herself and her younger sister Yoon Hi (Hong Jung Min) by working part-time jobs since their parents are no longer in their lives, for various dark reasons, Dad due to running away because of debt collectors, and Mom through desertion after that had happened to her husband. A Yi doesn't know where they are but loves her sister and wants to remain close to her.

Even with her poor financial situation A Yi is able to rank near the top at her school academically because of high intelligence. She also has a pretty appearance which attracts the attention of others, including her male classmate named Na Il Deung (Hwan In Yeop) who is more than obsessed with her, often in unhealthy ways, like trying to compete with her in school for the best grades. They both love music so that helps keep them close.

One day A Yi meets a childlike magician named Lee Eul (Ji Chang Wook) at an abandoned amusement park in town. He puts on magic shows in the deserted park but only to people who tell him they believe in magic. At first A Yi is frightened by him and his mysterious ways, but he ends up comforting her in myriad of ways, especially after she breaks down and admits she does believe in magic. Of course this makes her male classmate Il Deung jealous and A Yi has to decide whom she cares about most, the magician who promises her the chance at great healing, or Il Deung who doesn't want to part with her for any reason, least of all for an attractive, impressive magician.

Watching A Yi's progress in this short drama is worth the watch. The songs she sings are beautiful, expressing her feelings about both men and her estranged family situation. Part of me wished the drama had gone to at least ten episodes since six was way too short! Try it out for yourself on Netflix if you want to watch a drama that is very different from many others.

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