According to Netflix on the 19th, “The Sound of Magic” recorded 6 million views in its second week of release, ranking second in the global Top 10 series (non-English category). It has also made it to the Top 10 lists in a total of 41 countries, including Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, the Philippines, and Vietnam, continuing its rise in popularity domestically and internationally.
“The Sound of Magic” is a Netflix series that unfolds the adventurous life of rebellious Ae Soon and strict Kwan Sik, both born in Jeju, across the four seasons. Set in the 1960s and 1970s, the series vividly portrays events as if they are happening right before our eyes, resonating with audiences both in Korea and abroad, transcending generations. Since its second release, it has left a deep impression on viewers, evoking memories of parents’ stories for younger generations and nostalgia for the past for older viewers.
Director Kim Won-seok, art director Ryu Sung-hee, and cinematographer Choi Yoon-man, among others, devoted themselves to realistically capturing the flow of time from 1960s Jeju to 2025. Art director Ryu Sung-hee, known for films like “The Decision to Break Up” and “Alien + Human,” added her touch to various spaces in “The Sound of Magic,” such as Dodong-ri village, a field of yellow chrysanthemums, and the Seoul landscape of the 1970s.
Kim Won-seok praised the art and props teams for their dedication in achieving detailed spatial realism and highlighted the efforts of these teams to preserve the authenticity of each location. He emphasized the importance of seamless continuity in capturing the actors’ performances and revealed the intention behind the production by avoiding overly stylish camera work and editing. The upcoming third and fourth acts of “The Sound of Magic” will continue to unfold Ae Soon and Kwan Sik’s life journey like a panoramic view, bringing joy and comfort to viewers.
The behind-the-scenes and unreleased stills, featuring actors seamlessly integrated into their characters and sets reflecting the era from 1960s Jeju to 1980s Seoul, remind viewers of the eventful story unveiled in the second act. The youthful appearances of Ae Soon (IU) and Kwan Sik (Park Bo-gum) during their teenage years stand out.
IU’s portrayal of two different characters is captivating, from the university student Geum Myung enjoying campus life with long hair to Ae Soon with short permed hair at Dodong-ri village, showcasing her efforts to differentiate the two characters.
The charming appearance of child actress Geum Myung (Ahn Tae-rin) in the same outfit as university student Geum Myung adds a touch of humor to the filming set. The supporting characters who enrich Ae Soon and Kwan Sik’s lives also bring warmth to the series. The dedication of actors Nam Moon-hee and Yeom Hye-ran in their roles as Chun-ok, along with the lively presence of the haenyeo aunts Chung-soo, Yang-im, and Kyung-ja played by Cha Mi-kyung, Lee Soo-mi, and Baek Ji-won, respectively, infuse the filming set with a delightful atmosphere.
The third act of “The Sound of Magic” will be exclusively released on Netflix on the 21st.
