Early Access: The Sound Of Magic E2

E2. It occurs to me that a manhwa lens would work really nicely, for this show.

I think it didn't occur to me in episode 1, because I was distracted by the idea of magic and music being incorporated into this story world.

This episode, however, I'm starting to see that this story world really feels like a manhwa world come to life.

First, there's the school itself, which looks gorgeous in a surreal, manhwa sort of way.

And then there's the quick character development, which I referred to as narrative shorthand, last episode. Our characters develop feelings and reach conclusions fast, and, some of them feel like broad caricatures, like our resident snooty bully.

It doesn't feel like there are a lot of layers here, particularly for our secondary characters.

Add on the magic and the music, and I feel like I'm watching a live-action manhwa with music, on my screen.

Given that we only have 6 episodes of story, and given what Show has served up so far, I'm also coming to the conclusion that I shouldn't be expecting a great deal of depth, from this story.

It actually feels like Show is keeping the story pretty streamlined and simple, to make room for the magic and music. Which is not a bad thing, to be clear. It's just helpful to figure that out upfront, to avoid disappointment with the plot.

Let's see if I'm right about Show's direction with the story.

This episode, I find myself wondering how real Lee Eul's magic is.

I mean, whenever we see him do his magic, particularly with Ah Yi, it looks and feels real. But that shot of him making notes for his magic, does make me wonder if it's as real as he would have us believe.

Because, if it was real, why would he need to make notes about it, like he's analyzing how to make it work? If it's real magic, shouldn't it just.. work?

Also, if it was real magic, why wouldn't he use real money, to get rid of the creditors? Why would he use prop money, and get beaten up by the creditors, for playing them?

And if it was real magic, why didn't he just make them disappear, the way he'd made Lecherous Boss disappear?

Let's just say that all these little details are giving me pause.

I do really like the duet that Lee Eul and Ah Yi sing, after she tells him not to look for her again. The two-part harmonies blend really nicely together, as do their voices.

Il Deung's breezy song in that summer meadow is also very pleasant and whimsical - until his daydream is rudely interrupted by Ah Yi telling him that she needs to leave, heh.

I'm mildly amused by Il Deung and his clumsy yet focused courtship of Ah Yi. And I feel for Ah Yi, who seems to think that she has no choice but to turn him down, because of her personal situation.

I'm not really into Snooty Girl and Sidekick's exploration of Lee Eul's personal space. That's an invasion of privacy, and it is really weird how impudent and disrespectful Snooty is, even when Lee Eul's right there, watching her.

It just feels like a logic stretch to me, that a real person would be so rude and so presumptuous, particularly with someone they didn't know, especially when that someone has a bit of a scary reputation.

This is where I'm using my manhwa lens with as much vigor as I can muster - and this scene still feels weird, to my eyes. 😅

Coming back to Lee Eul's magic, I am flummoxed all over again, by how he manages to know the exact wording of Ah Yi's messages to her mom, and have them appear on that piece of paper on his desk.

It's moments like this, that make me think that perhaps his magic is real, after all. I have no idea what to think, at this point.

Through everything, though, it's Choi Sung Eun''s delivery of Ah Yi's emotions, that grounds this entire story.

Yes, I might feel like the story development leans a bit convenient and skimpy, but Choi Sung Eun gives Ah Yi's emotions so much depth, that I can't help but believe that her feelings are real, and in turn, that helps this story world to all feel a bit more real, too.

I feel so bad for Ah Yi, when we see during that flashback, that her mom hadn't died. Mom had abandoned her when leaving the house, and Ah Yi's chosen to believe that Mom had died, because that hurt less.

Oof. That's really harsh, particularly for someone so young.

And yet, instead of blaming Mom for leaving, Ah Yi's messages have been upbeat and cheerful, and even as she thinks about Mom, she wonders if she's ever texted Mom that she loves her. Aw. That's so pure, isn't it? 🥺

I'm not sure what Il Deung's thinking, asking Ah Yi to fail the math exam in exchange for money.

I know he's under pressure from his parents to do well, but this feels more.. personal, somehow. Like he's asking Ah Yi this, as a way of testing her.

Because Ah Yi has so few people on her side, I'm actually hoping that Il Deung will figure out that Ah Yi absolutely does not have some kind of weird relationship with Lee Eul, and also, learn to trust her.

I just.. want someone in Ah Yi's corner, y'know? Poor girl's facing so many problems; she could really use a friend. And I'd like Il Deung to be that friend, right now.

Next episode notes will be out on: Wednesday, 18 May 2022!