The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Wed, May 25, 2022 | 12:38
Shows & Dramas
[INTERVIEW] Ji Chang-wook nails magic, music and acting in Netflix's 'The Sound of Magic'
Posted : 2022-05-12 17:00
Updated : 2022-05-17 15:52
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
                                                                                                 Actor Ji Chang-wook plays the role of a mysterious magician in Netflix's original series, 'The Sound of Magic.' Courtesy of Netflix
Actor Ji Chang-wook plays the role of a mysterious magician in Netflix's original series, "The Sound of Magic." Courtesy of Netflix

Actor says he could resonate with story

By Lee Gyu-lee

Actor Ji Chang-wook has had to multitask performing magic, singing and acting, while taking on the role of a mysterious magician, Lee Eul, in Netflix's new original series, "The Sound of Magic," which hit the streaming site on May 6.

"Performing magic and singing was important but the character of Lee Eul itself was also important. And for the character, singing and showing magic was such an inseparable part (of the character) so I got a lot of help from people around me," the 34-year-old actor said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "I learned and practiced magic for about three to four months. Magician Lee Eun-gyeol helped me a lot to design the scenes where (Lee Eul) performs magic shows."

The fantasy musical series, based on the 2010 popular webcomic of the same name by Ha Il-kwon, follows the story of two teenagers ― disenchanted Yoon Ah-yi (Choi Sung-eun) and her classmate, Na Il-deung (Hwang In-yeop) ― and magician Lee Eul, who lives in an abandoned amusement park.

Ah-yi is the sole caretaker of her young sister, after her father left them amid going bankrupt. Struggling through a harsh, debt-ridden life, her only dream is to become an adult so that she can get a proper job to make ends meet.

One day, Eul comes into Ah-yi's life out of nowhere and starts introducing her to hopes and dreams.

The series, directed by Kim Sung-yoon, known for leading the 2020 hit series, "Itaewon Class," has debuted at No. 8 on Netflix's official weekly Top 10 chart for non-English series, two days after its premiere. In the chart released by the streaming analytics platform, FlixPatrol, it soared to fourth on Wednesday.

                                                                                                 Actor Ji Chang-wook plays the role of a mysterious magician in Netflix's original series, 'The Sound of Magic.' Courtesy of Netflix
A scene from "The Sound of Magic" / Courtesy of Netflix

The actor said it took time to get into such a complex character as Eul, who is whimsical and keeps the innocence of a child but also seems to have a mysterious past.

"In some way, Lee Eul might seem mentally unstable and because he was such a complex character with fantasy factors, it was hard and I had to discuss him with the director a lot," Ji said, adding that the process was still fun.

"When I worked on previous pieces, I would always ask questions like, 'Why did this character take this action?' or 'Why does he say this?' But for this, instead of asking questions, I just let all the emotions out straightforwardly, acting happily when the character feels happy and angrily when he's angry. It felt like I was at the amusement park (metaphorically)," he said.

Ji said he resonated with the story personally, saying that it is a story about "all of us."

"When I read the script for 'The Sound of Magic,' it felt like my own story, and just reminded me of the feelings I went through when I was young," he said, adding that he could empathize with the struggles Ah-yi went through during adolescence. "There have always been tough times. Even when I faced choices. There were times I struggled financially, and times I was under a lot of stress."

He added that he chose to take part in this series, hoping to offer a message of comfort to those who are in situations like Ah-yi.

"It seemed hard but it was interesting. I felt a mix of confidence, anticipation and excitement that I could do a good job portraying the character so I decided to take the role," he said. "Even before this series, I've been asking questions about myself, like what kind of person I am and what I like, or what kind of person I want to be. And by working on this series … I was able to have a chance to think more deeply about it."
Emailgyulee@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival
  • Attention needed to end modern-day slavery
  • Ex-Gyeryong mayor found dead after losing nomination in local elections
  • Labor union opposes resumption of late-night subway operations
  • [INTERVIEW] How brewery waste turned into pizza dough, energy bars at RE:harvest
  • Samsung to invest 450 trillion won to cement lead in chip, bio sectors
  • Mother charged with killing disabled daughter
  • Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home
  • Gov't to ease tax burden that increased during previous administration
  • [ANALYSIS] Internet-only K bank pressed to delay IPO plan
  • 'GOT7 has not disbanded' 'GOT7 has not disbanded'
  • Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms
  • Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour
  • Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival
  • 'The Roundup' lures 2.5 million moviegoers over weekend 'The Roundup' lures 2.5 million moviegoers over weekend
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group