Review | Netflix K-drama The Sound of Magic review: fantasy musical starring Ji Chang-wook and Choi Sung-eun dazzles and frustrates

This new show from Itaewon Class director Kim Sung-yoon, based on Ha Il-kwon’s webcomic Annarasumanara, essentially does the same thing. During a charming and occasionally enthralling opening episode it dazzles us with bright visuals, infectious musical numbers and engaging performances. But even the best magic trick can’t stretch to six hour-long episodes.

Choi Sung-eun, who impressed in her drama debut Beyond Evil and the indie pregnancy drama Ten Months last year, takes on her first major leading role as the diffident Yoon Ah-yi, a high-school student working part-time jobs who has been providing for herself and her younger sister ever since her father had to go on the run from creditors.

The one thing that Ah-yi enjoys and excels at is maths. She’s top of the class in the subject, which is a source of frustration for the silver-spooned class whizz Na Il-deung (True Beauty’s Hwang In-yeop). True to his name, which literally means first place, Il-deung ranks top in every subject, except maths.