In the new Korean series The Sound Of Magic, Hallyu star Ji Chang-wook plays the role of a mysterious magician named Ri-eul, whose favourite question to anyone is “do you believe in magic?”.
During a virtual press conference on Tuesday (May 3), the 34-year-old actor said he was keen to play this role as the character was intriguing.
He described Ri-eul as someone who conveys innocence and happiness at some parts in the series, as well as a dubious character shrouded in suspicion in others.
Plus, Ji was truly excited to learn magic tricks, which he started getting into three months prior to filming.
However, he soon realised that learning magic was a totally different matter than any other skills he picked up as an actor before.
“It was beyond difficult and required a lot of time, skill and finesse; there were no shortcuts. I carried props around for three months and practised constantly with the instructor,” he recalled in a Q&A.
“I saw a lot of the videos by (South Korea’s top) illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol. But, I had to be much more expressive when performing magic as Ri-eul," the Healer actor continued at the press conference.
“Ri-eul is not just a magician, he is an illusionist and an artist. So, I felt a lot of pressure.”
Fortunately, director Kim Sung-youn (Itaewon Class) with the help of illusionist Lee – who was a consultant on The Sound Of Magic – came up with clever designs and special effects to present magic as something “far greater than sleight of hand” for Ri-eul.
“But still, it was very, very challenging. I don't think I'll ever take on another magician role,” said the good-looking performer with a laugh.
The Sound Of Magic is a six-episode Netflix series based on the renowned fantasy webtoon Annarasumanara by Ha Il-kwon.
Using magic and musical numbers, the series focuses on the development of three characters – Ri-eul and two teenagers (played by Choi Sung-eun and Hwang In-youp) who are at a crossroads.
It kicks off with Ah-yi, a school girl who desperately wishes to be an adult so she can get out of poverty and her current state of misery. On the other end of the spectrum is her well-to-do schoolmate Il-deung, a teen whose dreams are not his own but that of his parents.
These two youngsters begin to experience an emotional change after meeting Ri-eul, who shows them another way of looking at life and the meaning of success.
Ji mentioned: “When I first read the script in December 2021, I was moved by the stories of Ah-yi and Il-deung. I felt like their stories were my story ... I thought it was very relatable, and I wanted to root for them. I am certain that audiences can easily relate to the characters in the series just like I did. ”
The Sound Of Magic starts streaming on Netflix on Friday (May 6).
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