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안나라수마나라 #1
안나라수마나라 1
There are rumors going around town. They say that if you go to the old carnival, you'd see a dashing young man wearing a magician's hat — a man who has the power to make people disappear from the face of the earth. But before he does any magic, he will look you in the eye, stare at your soul with his grey eyes and ask,
"Do you believe in magic?"
Yoon Ai, a smart girl in her class, struggles to feed herself and her sister everyday. All she wants is to grow up faster so she can escape poverty and the reality of her miserable life. When she meets the rumored magician in the abandoned carnival, her life changes forever.
작가의 말
등장인물 소개
episode 1 쫓아간다
episode 2 물방울무늬 스타킹
episode 3 장난감의 속성
episode 4 저주에 걸린 아이
episode 5 빛은 없다
episode 6 눈 녹듯
episode 7 필요해
episode 8 바라는 것
"Do you believe in magic?"
Yoon Ai, a smart girl in her class, struggles to feed herself and her sister everyday. All she wants is to grow up faster so she can escape poverty and the reality of her miserable life. When she meets the rumored magician in the abandoned carnival, her life changes forever.
작가의 말
등장인물 소개
episode 1 쫓아간다
episode 2 물방울무늬 스타킹
episode 3 장난감의 속성
episode 4 저주에 걸린 아이
episode 5 빛은 없다
episode 6 눈 녹듯
episode 7 필요해
episode 8 바라는 것
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
11 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Ha Il-kwon
48 books135 followersAssociated Names:
* Ha Il Kwon, Ha Il-Kwon, Hailkwon
* Ha Il Gwon, Ha Il-Gwon, Hailgwon
* 하일권 (Korean Profile)
* Ha Il Kwon, Ha Il-Kwon, Hailkwon
* Ha Il Gwon, Ha Il-Gwon, Hailgwon
* 하일권 (Korean Profile)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 9, 2025
"Growing up means to throw away your fantasies. To be normal, to not talk or stand out much, to say sorry and to give up something. You may say that it's not true only to realise a moment later that a dear part of you, that you held on to for so many years has indeed crumbled away. If that is so, then what do you believe in today?"
I believe in magic. Saying that aloud makes people around me grimace and to say that there's something wrong with me. But then I wonder if they believe in anything at all. And then I start to feel much better as I have something in life to believe in. And this manhwa reminded me of that belief.
Yoon Ah is dying inside. Her father has left her and her sister behind with a huge debt. She wears ripped tights, doesn't have enough rice and is mocked by her classmates. She then overhears them talking about a magician who lives in the rundown amusement park she went to as a child. She shrugs it off only to run into this very eccentric ahjussi who believes himself to be a real magician. Or is he really...
The story didn't appeal to me in the initial chapters. It felt bland and monochromatic just like the art. But then the colours changed. I could see the green color of the won note. I could see the almost pink shade when she was reminded of the way she saw her amusement park in her childhood. Everything felt vivid and the tugging in my heart was too much to bear. Then slowly the magic unraveled.
I cannot recommend this enough. Now I'm gonna go and watch the Netflix miniseries adaptation of this(The Sound of Magic) and cry heartily. This is for you, magic buddies out there! Happy reading (& magical)❤️!
(It's available on the WEBTOON app)
I believe in magic. Saying that aloud makes people around me grimace and to say that there's something wrong with me. But then I wonder if they believe in anything at all. And then I start to feel much better as I have something in life to believe in. And this manhwa reminded me of that belief.
Yoon Ah is dying inside. Her father has left her and her sister behind with a huge debt. She wears ripped tights, doesn't have enough rice and is mocked by her classmates. She then overhears them talking about a magician who lives in the rundown amusement park she went to as a child. She shrugs it off only to run into this very eccentric ahjussi who believes himself to be a real magician. Or is he really...
The story didn't appeal to me in the initial chapters. It felt bland and monochromatic just like the art. But then the colours changed. I could see the green color of the won note. I could see the almost pink shade when she was reminded of the way she saw her amusement park in her childhood. Everything felt vivid and the tugging in my heart was too much to bear. Then slowly the magic unraveled.
I cannot recommend this enough. Now I'm gonna go and watch the Netflix miniseries adaptation of this(The Sound of Magic) and cry heartily. This is for you, magic buddies out there! Happy reading (& magical)❤️!
(It's available on the WEBTOON app)
July 23, 2012
After throwing down a blanket search for "psychological shojo", I chanced across Annarasumanara purely because it was under A in the alphabet. I read the first three pages, and immediately set it aside, knowing I'd have to read it. The next time I picked it up, I devoured it right there and then.
The drawing style is absolutely beautiful. If you can get past Il Deung's absurdly long neck alongside everybody else's insistence he's attractive - everything else is elegant and inventive. The rare, striking breaks from the monotone style give a sense of magic and the free, flowing panels are inventive and elegant. There are panels that work only in sequence, which some may find reduces the pace, when it takes two panels for a character to hesitate and respond, but I felt this was all part of the surreal, dreamlike style. The paper-doll art on some pages is charming - I first noticed when Yun Ai chases her precious money across the city.
Yun Ai herself deserves the role of lead. She is mostly a kind and practical girl, but has her adorable moments - silly pratfalls into puddles and that jumper with the too-long arms - moments when you remember she's a high school student. She, like Il Deung, falls prey to "top-of-the-class attractive teen" ideal encountered so often in manga, but unlike Il Deung she is not also rich and popular. She is a wallflower, certainly, but her practical streak and dependability save her. There is hardly any angst and I love her for it. She definitely earns her sweet ending.
I was bugged by the footballer that made her blush, thinking this was the beginning of a romance, and he was never seen again. The expression on Yun Ai's face isn't quite right for "ashamed for drinking from the tap" but I realised what it meant later, as poverty makes itself known, as do the unhappy effects on her life. I also had to make a concentrated effort to remember ah-na-ra-su-ma-na-ra, but these are minor things!
There was lots of ambiguity about whether magic does actually exist. Although we establish that L is a complex character and certainly his polished performance gets tarnished, it's never fully explained how many of his tricks were genuine after the accident with the cards. (This is my reason for selecting the first volume as the best: it holds all the magic and mystery that draws you in.) Regardless, the message is clear: whether or not magic is real, the point is to believe in it. And I'm most fond not of the conjuring and the disappearing, but the second magic trick L did:
"He turned my raggedy, holey leggings into pretty polka dotted leggings."
At the end of the day, Annarasumanara is a feel-good story of people reclaiming their dreams. Stepping off the concrete track and into the field of flowers. Looking at your leggings in a different way. Seeing how you're trapped, and how you can free yourself. That's the magic.
The drawing style is absolutely beautiful. If you can get past Il Deung's absurdly long neck alongside everybody else's insistence he's attractive - everything else is elegant and inventive. The rare, striking breaks from the monotone style give a sense of magic and the free, flowing panels are inventive and elegant. There are panels that work only in sequence, which some may find reduces the pace, when it takes two panels for a character to hesitate and respond, but I felt this was all part of the surreal, dreamlike style. The paper-doll art on some pages is charming - I first noticed when Yun Ai chases her precious money across the city.
Yun Ai herself deserves the role of lead. She is mostly a kind and practical girl, but has her adorable moments - silly pratfalls into puddles and that jumper with the too-long arms - moments when you remember she's a high school student. She, like Il Deung, falls prey to "top-of-the-class attractive teen" ideal encountered so often in manga, but unlike Il Deung she is not also rich and popular. She is a wallflower, certainly, but her practical streak and dependability save her. There is hardly any angst and I love her for it. She definitely earns her sweet ending.
I was bugged by the footballer that made her blush, thinking this was the beginning of a romance, and he was never seen again. The expression on Yun Ai's face isn't quite right for "ashamed for drinking from the tap" but I realised what it meant later, as poverty makes itself known, as do the unhappy effects on her life. I also had to make a concentrated effort to remember ah-na-ra-su-ma-na-ra, but these are minor things!
There was lots of ambiguity about whether magic does actually exist. Although we establish that L is a complex character and certainly his polished performance gets tarnished, it's never fully explained how many of his tricks were genuine after the accident with the cards. (This is my reason for selecting the first volume as the best: it holds all the magic and mystery that draws you in.) Regardless, the message is clear: whether or not magic is real, the point is to believe in it. And I'm most fond not of the conjuring and the disappearing, but the second magic trick L did:
"He turned my raggedy, holey leggings into pretty polka dotted leggings."
At the end of the day, Annarasumanara is a feel-good story of people reclaiming their dreams. Stepping off the concrete track and into the field of flowers. Looking at your leggings in a different way. Seeing how you're trapped, and how you can free yourself. That's the magic.
September 7, 2016
Review for the complete webtoon (all volumes) here
November 14, 2013
(A review for the the whole manga)
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;"
Have you ever sat by yourself and thought of the road you're taking? Was everything you abandoned worth chasing what you yearned for? As children, we lived in delusional fantasies: one would dream to grow up as an astronomer, a prince or princess, an honorary idol, or a magician that people traveld for. You were a child that believed in dreams and hopes, you had naive goals that were truly your inspiration.
As you grew up, your eyes saw more to it: such dreams are 'pathetic.' This is reality, and reality equals to success through money and education. Ah, but is that true? This story makes you question everything; uncertainty relays itself in your mind, and all you could ever think of is 'if you're living the life you truly want.'
This story revolves around three types of people:
1- A high school student stolen by reality. She view things logically and carries out responsibilities, she is mature, intelligent, and quite a realist; she carries a charismatic vibe.
2- A classmate who is one of the elites in society. He is clever, logical, calculating and lives his life walking a road planned out for him. He believes education is the only prosperity to succession.
3- A magician. He abandoned luxury and society's will for the sake of his own dreams, he lives a life away from reality and has a mind as delusional as a child, he believes a dream is everything you should live for.
To sum it up, a realist + an elitist + a dreamer, they all take you into a journey of 27 chapters, they teach you what it means to live a dream and reality, they make you see the kind of things you don't always see in mangas: originality; accuracy.
Although this manga has not answered every mystery, it has taught me more than mangas with 100s of chapters did. This manga is special in its own way, all the characters seem so real and full of depth, the way every character develops is outstanding and the lessons it has taught me is unforgettable.
I think after this manga, the way I carry on with my life will slightly differ than how it used to be. Reading this was a wonderful experience, it was not like any manga I ever read.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;"
Have you ever sat by yourself and thought of the road you're taking? Was everything you abandoned worth chasing what you yearned for? As children, we lived in delusional fantasies: one would dream to grow up as an astronomer, a prince or princess, an honorary idol, or a magician that people traveld for. You were a child that believed in dreams and hopes, you had naive goals that were truly your inspiration.
As you grew up, your eyes saw more to it: such dreams are 'pathetic.' This is reality, and reality equals to success through money and education. Ah, but is that true? This story makes you question everything; uncertainty relays itself in your mind, and all you could ever think of is 'if you're living the life you truly want.'
This story revolves around three types of people:
1- A high school student stolen by reality. She view things logically and carries out responsibilities, she is mature, intelligent, and quite a realist; she carries a charismatic vibe.
2- A classmate who is one of the elites in society. He is clever, logical, calculating and lives his life walking a road planned out for him. He believes education is the only prosperity to succession.
3- A magician. He abandoned luxury and society's will for the sake of his own dreams, he lives a life away from reality and has a mind as delusional as a child, he believes a dream is everything you should live for.
To sum it up, a realist + an elitist + a dreamer, they all take you into a journey of 27 chapters, they teach you what it means to live a dream and reality, they make you see the kind of things you don't always see in mangas: originality; accuracy.
Although this manga has not answered every mystery, it has taught me more than mangas with 100s of chapters did. This manga is special in its own way, all the characters seem so real and full of depth, the way every character develops is outstanding and the lessons it has taught me is unforgettable.
I think after this manga, the way I carry on with my life will slightly differ than how it used to be. Reading this was a wonderful experience, it was not like any manga I ever read.
January 12, 2015
Este manga es totalmente hermoso tanto por los gráficos, como por la trama y las personalidades de los personajes.
Yoon Ah-ee Apenas y logra mantenerse con el dinero que gana en su trabajo de medio tiempo y la ayuda del gobierno. Solía soñar con convertirse en mago, pero ahora, cuando cada día es una lucha, la magia le parece solo una extravagancia. Ella se encuentra con un mago, que entra en su vida y empieza a despertar esos hermosos sentimientos olvidados ya hace mucho.
Me pareció un personaje adorable por su simpleza y humildad, pero bastante terca smh
Na II-Deung Compañero de clase de Yoon, Académicamente, él está en el 0.01% de los más inteligentes en Corea del Sur. Nación en una buena familia, muy inteligente y muy apuesto, él es la envidia y admiración de todos. Él quiere convertirse en abogado, juez o fiscal, y piensa que la magia es algo ridículo e inútil.
El pibe salchicha <3. También me pareció adorable porque tiene una personalidad contraria a la que se puede imaginar al principio, o hasta ahora eso parece.
El Mago Él asegura ser un mago de verdad, y vive en el viejo parque de diversiones. ¿Por qué vive ahí? ¿Cuál es la verdadera identidad de este misterioso hombre?
Creo que me enamoré cuando lo vi la portada pero reafirmé mi enamoramiento cuando apareció en la historia <3.
[image error]
ES QUE ES MUY LINDO TODO ALSKDJFSJ
Yoon Ah-ee Apenas y logra mantenerse con el dinero que gana en su trabajo de medio tiempo y la ayuda del gobierno. Solía soñar con convertirse en mago, pero ahora, cuando cada día es una lucha, la magia le parece solo una extravagancia. Ella se encuentra con un mago, que entra en su vida y empieza a despertar esos hermosos sentimientos olvidados ya hace mucho.
Me pareció un personaje adorable por su simpleza y humildad, pero bastante terca smh
Na II-Deung Compañero de clase de Yoon, Académicamente, él está en el 0.01% de los más inteligentes en Corea del Sur. Nación en una buena familia, muy inteligente y muy apuesto, él es la envidia y admiración de todos. Él quiere convertirse en abogado, juez o fiscal, y piensa que la magia es algo ridículo e inútil.
El pibe salchicha <3. También me pareció adorable porque tiene una personalidad contraria a la que se puede imaginar al principio, o hasta ahora eso parece.
El Mago Él asegura ser un mago de verdad, y vive en el viejo parque de diversiones. ¿Por qué vive ahí? ¿Cuál es la verdadera identidad de este misterioso hombre?
Creo que me enamoré cuando lo vi la portada pero reafirmé mi enamoramiento cuando apareció en la historia <3.
[image error]
ES QUE ES MUY LINDO TODO ALSKDJFSJ
March 8, 2022
What if you don't want to grow up? What if you want to to grow up in order to escape the reality?
Do you believe in magic? Or is magic truly only a fairy tale?
I remember glancing at Annarasumanara a few months ago and being intrigued simply because its premise didn't revolve around romance like the few beside it so prominently did. I read a chapter and then put it down. It wasn't my genre- as in it didn't appeal to me despite its creative and quite striking art work.
I regret putting it down because now after picking up from where I left off, each and every chapter is so mind blowingly unique. The story and the main characters are so fleshed out and so intricately thought off with their personalities and thinking processes playing major roles that I am at a loss for words. It's a lot to process. To me it seems more of an aesthetic book because while the plot is quite limited to you having no clue as to whether anything that is going is actually real, it is the character development and the visuals that take the story forward along with the unraveling of a new perspective on modern day issues plaguing us.
The story focuses on 3 individuals and how their lives change as they meet each other and undergo self discovery. A real magician. A ambitious realist. A girl who has given up on her dreams in order to survive. The book touches on issues like aspirations, prejudices created by society, pressure to fit certain moulds, unrealistic expectations and what success and freedom truly are while playing on a light hearted mysterious tone.
Primarily in black and white with sudden sharp contrasts, the art is like no other I've seen because the author (who deserves an applaud) has quite brilliantly woven actual inanimate objects into the story . Also there are a lot of symbolic references for instance Il Deung's long neck (which are explained in the end). Additionally, the sudden full page bursts of colour really do take you by surprise because it's all so beautiful and vividly creative. Paired up with the drastic changes in style to convey changes in emotion it's almost as if you're in their world, side by side understanding the problems they face. It's a rather ambiguous story and it certainly won't appeal to all.
Like look at this {Her pondering is so expressively portrayed. And in the 2nd image rather than straightforwardly saying shes running after money the author chooses to visualize it:
.Note: This is a collective review of all 27 webtoon episodes.
December 4, 2018
Ara vermeden okumak için uzun ve çizerin stili yüzünden takip etmesi zor.
Ara verince de okur olaydan (zaten pekte ısınamadığı için) soğuyor. Bunlar yarım bırakma nedenlerim. Manhwa'larda merak unsuru benim için önemli bir detay. Ne olacak diye merak etmeyi bıraktığım an, kitabı da bırakıyorum. Çizimleri beğenmeyince üstüne, vay halime.
Ilk cildi tamamladım, ikincisini yarıladım derken baktım devamı için bi' heyecan hissetmiyorum zorlamak istemedim.
3 cildi kapsayan edisyonu eklemiştim buraya, DNF etiketi vurmak yerine hiç üşenmeyip geldim tek cildi giriyorum sisteme.
Çünkü böyle dürüst okurlarız be heeeyt.
Hem belli olmaz sağım solum, serseri serbest stilim on ay sonra kalkıp annarasumanara naassıı bitiyodu yea diye yeniden okumaya bașlayabilirim. Azıcık yüzüm olsun. Hadi.
Ara verince de okur olaydan (zaten pekte ısınamadığı için) soğuyor. Bunlar yarım bırakma nedenlerim. Manhwa'larda merak unsuru benim için önemli bir detay. Ne olacak diye merak etmeyi bıraktığım an, kitabı da bırakıyorum. Çizimleri beğenmeyince üstüne, vay halime.
Ilk cildi tamamladım, ikincisini yarıladım derken baktım devamı için bi' heyecan hissetmiyorum zorlamak istemedim.
3 cildi kapsayan edisyonu eklemiştim buraya, DNF etiketi vurmak yerine hiç üşenmeyip geldim tek cildi giriyorum sisteme.
Çünkü böyle dürüst okurlarız be heeeyt.
Hem belli olmaz sağım solum, serseri serbest stilim on ay sonra kalkıp annarasumanara naassıı bitiyodu yea diye yeniden okumaya bașlayabilirim. Azıcık yüzüm olsun. Hadi.
Read
August 27, 2019 Başladığımla bitirmem bir oldu, elimden bırakamadım. Sadeliğinde çekicilik olan hoş bir eser, keşke daha uzun olsaymış diyor insan okurken.
September 1, 2020
Really love the story so far, still curious about their relationship. And i like how every words in that manhwa i feel related much🥺.
April 10, 2023
I am pretty neutral on the story so far to be honest. I am intrigued and want to read the next one. The pacing keeps me engaged and the characters are interesting enough, but I can’t say it is particularly for me
July 12, 2016
"Do you believe in magic?"
This is a beautiful and magical Korean Manhwa(manga), displaying the stereotypical world we live in and how reality and dreams are two vastly different things. We live inside the walls of our society and stepping out means you have brought misery to yourself. Society pressures us to the extent of going crazy and then laugh at us. In this series, three characters, a magician and two high schoolers will take you on a rollercoaster ride of reality and dream. After reading this manga your perspective will surely change, I know mine is. It surely is beautiful and magical.
I'm hoping this turns into a movie someday. Or an anime. Because the art is so unique, clear and magical. If someday it becomes an anime, it should definitely follow the pattern of black and white with few touches of color. The use of color is where it's most needed and I like that about this series. I truly hope and thank the Mangaka(Author) to make such beautiful books and artwork.
I got the Alice in the Wonderland vibe throughout this series.
This is a beautiful and magical Korean Manhwa(manga), displaying the stereotypical world we live in and how reality and dreams are two vastly different things. We live inside the walls of our society and stepping out means you have brought misery to yourself. Society pressures us to the extent of going crazy and then laugh at us. In this series, three characters, a magician and two high schoolers will take you on a rollercoaster ride of reality and dream. After reading this manga your perspective will surely change, I know mine is. It surely is beautiful and magical.
I'm hoping this turns into a movie someday. Or an anime. Because the art is so unique, clear and magical. If someday it becomes an anime, it should definitely follow the pattern of black and white with few touches of color. The use of color is where it's most needed and I like that about this series. I truly hope and thank the Mangaka(Author) to make such beautiful books and artwork.
I got the Alice in the Wonderland vibe throughout this series.
January 7, 2014
This is the first Korean manga I've ever read and I have to say that I really love it so far.
The book deals with the themes of poverty, adulthood, responsibility and (as odd as this may sound) magic. A young woman, unable to provide for her little sister and herself, has to ask herself what she's willing to do and believe in, in order to survive.
The art is stunning and the artist plays around with different techniques to keep it interesting. An amazing book all around.
The book deals with the themes of poverty, adulthood, responsibility and (as odd as this may sound) magic. A young woman, unable to provide for her little sister and herself, has to ask herself what she's willing to do and believe in, in order to survive.
The art is stunning and the artist plays around with different techniques to keep it interesting. An amazing book all around.
March 9, 2025
Reread
Review for the entire series.
How do I even start reviewing this book without writing an entire essay on the themes presented here, or without fangirling over Rieul? Just saying I loved it would be an awful understatement.
The story revolves around Yoon Ah-Yi, struggling to get through life, with no reliable adult around. More than anything, she wants to quickly become an adult herself and get out of poverty. One day, on her way home, she meets the magician, rumoured to be crazy in the amusement park, who may or may not have intentionally guided her to him. And it’s that meeting that changes Ah-Yi’s entire outlook on life.
The author conveys an important message through the characters: Yoon Ah-Yi, the girl who thinks following the rules laid out by society will make her happy. Na Il-deung, the boy from a rich family who thinks living up to his family’s reputation is making him happy. And the magician, homeless, jobless and crazy, yet seems to overflow with happiness that he shares it with others.
The two students represent kids struggling to grow up and fit into the mold of what makes a proper adult. Both are suffocating from the rules and restrictions. And while society claims to love success, it certainly is cruel to those who work for it. Dreams are useless and merely childish caprices. You must pick a realistic job, make realistic money and keep making money, accumulate it more and more and climb the ladder higher and higher. The world that society wants is unfeeling, cold and restless.
And that’s why it hates people like the magician, who are happy without the things it claims as valuable. He has his own definition of happiness, and nothing of what society does deters him from finding these kids and breaking the curses placed upon them. Believe in magic, he tells them, you used to believe as kids, why stop now?
The message is simple. You don’t have to force yourself to fit into society's standards. It’s alright if your dreams are not conventional, it’s alright to live life a little differently, it’s alright to trade fame, honour and money for happiness. Don’t get stuck on the cold asphalt road, just because it’s easy. Be brave to take the bumpy dirt road, it’s only from there you will be able to see wildflowers and the azure sky.
If the story doesn’t impress you, then you should at least check this book for its art. It’s simply mesmerizing!
The authors used colours sparingly, preferring to tell the story in black and white, which made the rare use of colors so much more impactful. He also ingeniously incorporated paper arts to replace words and convey the silent feelings through them. The overall eerie atmosphere, filled with old flower patterns, gives it a magical feeling that stays throughout the book. And the art is dynamic, changing at every arc, and for me, that’s testament to the author’s great creativity.
There is a k-drama adaptation that I cannot recommend enough! The director decided to make it into a musical, and he was right to do so! The actors also did an amazing job!
Review for the entire series.
“Do you believe in magic?”
How do I even start reviewing this book without writing an entire essay on the themes presented here, or without fangirling over Rieul? Just saying I loved it would be an awful understatement.
The story revolves around Yoon Ah-Yi, struggling to get through life, with no reliable adult around. More than anything, she wants to quickly become an adult herself and get out of poverty. One day, on her way home, she meets the magician, rumoured to be crazy in the amusement park, who may or may not have intentionally guided her to him. And it’s that meeting that changes Ah-Yi’s entire outlook on life.
The author conveys an important message through the characters: Yoon Ah-Yi, the girl who thinks following the rules laid out by society will make her happy. Na Il-deung, the boy from a rich family who thinks living up to his family’s reputation is making him happy. And the magician, homeless, jobless and crazy, yet seems to overflow with happiness that he shares it with others.
The two students represent kids struggling to grow up and fit into the mold of what makes a proper adult. Both are suffocating from the rules and restrictions. And while society claims to love success, it certainly is cruel to those who work for it. Dreams are useless and merely childish caprices. You must pick a realistic job, make realistic money and keep making money, accumulate it more and more and climb the ladder higher and higher. The world that society wants is unfeeling, cold and restless.
And that’s why it hates people like the magician, who are happy without the things it claims as valuable. He has his own definition of happiness, and nothing of what society does deters him from finding these kids and breaking the curses placed upon them. Believe in magic, he tells them, you used to believe as kids, why stop now?
The message is simple. You don’t have to force yourself to fit into society's standards. It’s alright if your dreams are not conventional, it’s alright to live life a little differently, it’s alright to trade fame, honour and money for happiness. Don’t get stuck on the cold asphalt road, just because it’s easy. Be brave to take the bumpy dirt road, it’s only from there you will be able to see wildflowers and the azure sky.
If the story doesn’t impress you, then you should at least check this book for its art. It’s simply mesmerizing!
The authors used colours sparingly, preferring to tell the story in black and white, which made the rare use of colors so much more impactful. He also ingeniously incorporated paper arts to replace words and convey the silent feelings through them. The overall eerie atmosphere, filled with old flower patterns, gives it a magical feeling that stays throughout the book. And the art is dynamic, changing at every arc, and for me, that’s testament to the author’s great creativity.
There is a k-drama adaptation that I cannot recommend enough! The director decided to make it into a musical, and he was right to do so! The actors also did an amazing job!
April 15, 2025
Yun Ai è una liceale che vive in una stanza piccolissima con sua sorella minore. Il padre se n'è andato lasciandole con i suoi debiti da pagare e Yun Ai per vivere deve fare vari lavori, ma il denaro è sempre poco e le sorelle vivono quasi in totale povertà.
Yun Ai è un personaggio che colpisce subito per la sua forza. Sogna di entrare in una buona università e per questo studia senza sosta. Non mostra mai alla sorella né ai compagni di scuola quanto stia soffrendo: vuole farcela da sola, senza chiedere aiuto a nessuno.
Un giorno, però, al vecchio luna park, incontra un uomo che dice di essere un vero mago. Yun Ai non ci crede, ha smesso da tempo di credere alla magia. Ma quell’uomo non si arrende e cerca in ogni modo di dimostrarle che sbaglia, che la magia esiste, e che è più vicina di quanto lei immagini.
C’è poi Na Ildeung, un compagno di classe di Yun Ai. Lui ha tutto quello che gli altri vorrebbero: è ricco, intelligente, bello secondo molti, e apparentemente anche gentile. È un personaggio che potrebbe rivelarsi molto interessante, c'è ancora tanto da scoprire. Ciò che però il lettore si chiede è: cosa desidera davvero?
Questo primo volume ci introduce dei bei personaggi: una ragazzina disillusa, che non crede quasi più in nessuno; un ragazzo che sembra avere il mondo a portata di mano ma forse nasconde delle crepe; e poi un uomo adulto che, invece di lavorare “seriamente”, passa le giornate convinto di essere un mago.
Le differenze tra questi personaggi rappresentano uno dei temi centrali della storia: il modo in cui ognuno vede il mondo, le aspettative della società e della famiglia, il peso del dover essere sempre i migliori, e la sofferenza che nasce dal non avere abbastanza soldi.
È un volume che incuriosisce, che getta le basi per una storia dove realtà e magia sembrano sfidarsi a vicenda. Ma le due cose possono convivere? Si può diventare adulti e continuare a credere nella magia? È davvero vietato sognare, una volta cresciuti?
Io non vedo l’ora di leggere i prossimi volumi per scoprirlo.
I disegni sono quasi tutti in bianco e nero, i colori vengono usati solo per mettere in evidenza dei momenti particolari, ed anche qui è una lotta tra buio e luce, tra realtà e finzione.
Yun Ai è un personaggio che colpisce subito per la sua forza. Sogna di entrare in una buona università e per questo studia senza sosta. Non mostra mai alla sorella né ai compagni di scuola quanto stia soffrendo: vuole farcela da sola, senza chiedere aiuto a nessuno.
Un giorno, però, al vecchio luna park, incontra un uomo che dice di essere un vero mago. Yun Ai non ci crede, ha smesso da tempo di credere alla magia. Ma quell’uomo non si arrende e cerca in ogni modo di dimostrarle che sbaglia, che la magia esiste, e che è più vicina di quanto lei immagini.
C’è poi Na Ildeung, un compagno di classe di Yun Ai. Lui ha tutto quello che gli altri vorrebbero: è ricco, intelligente, bello secondo molti, e apparentemente anche gentile. È un personaggio che potrebbe rivelarsi molto interessante, c'è ancora tanto da scoprire. Ciò che però il lettore si chiede è: cosa desidera davvero?
Questo primo volume ci introduce dei bei personaggi: una ragazzina disillusa, che non crede quasi più in nessuno; un ragazzo che sembra avere il mondo a portata di mano ma forse nasconde delle crepe; e poi un uomo adulto che, invece di lavorare “seriamente”, passa le giornate convinto di essere un mago.
Le differenze tra questi personaggi rappresentano uno dei temi centrali della storia: il modo in cui ognuno vede il mondo, le aspettative della società e della famiglia, il peso del dover essere sempre i migliori, e la sofferenza che nasce dal non avere abbastanza soldi.
È un volume che incuriosisce, che getta le basi per una storia dove realtà e magia sembrano sfidarsi a vicenda. Ma le due cose possono convivere? Si può diventare adulti e continuare a credere nella magia? È davvero vietato sognare, una volta cresciuti?
Io non vedo l’ora di leggere i prossimi volumi per scoprirlo.
I disegni sono quasi tutti in bianco e nero, i colori vengono usati solo per mettere in evidenza dei momenti particolari, ed anche qui è una lotta tra buio e luce, tra realtà e finzione.
June 27, 2025
A volte la vita sembra più dura della realtà stessa, e ti chiedi come si possa andare avanti quando non c’è più niente in cui credere. The Sound of Magic è una storia che parte proprio da qui, dal vuoto di speranza che una ragazza come Yun Ai si porta dentro ogni giorno.
La sua è una vita fatta di rinunce. È poco più che un’adolescente, ma si occupa della sorellina da sola, abbandonata dal padre e schiacciata dai debiti. A scuola viene derisa, è invisibile o, peggio, ridicolizzata. Non ha nemmeno un paio di collant integri o abbastanza riso per cena. In mezzo a questa miseria quotidiana, una leggenda prende forma: si dice che in un luna park abbandonato viva un mago. Un uomo in grado di far sparire le persone. Per sempre.
Sembra una voce senza senso. Eppure Yun Ai finisce per incontrarlo davvero, questo eccentrico ahjussi. Un uomo strano, che sembra uscito da un sogno di quando era bambina. Ma è solo matto, o è davvero un mago?
Il disegno è uno degli aspetti più affascinanti del manga: elegante, onirico, spesso quasi teatrale. I pannelli non seguono sempre uno schema tradizionale; a volte si muovono liberi, sfumano i confini tra ciò che è reale e ciò che è immaginato. Ci sono momenti in cui l’arte diventa poesia visiva: i movimenti di Yun Ai mentre insegue una banconota per strada, o le espressioni cariche di emozioni non dette. Anche le piccole stranezze stilistiche (come il collo un po’ lungo di Il Deung) fanno parte di un mondo volutamente imperfetto, che riflette le crepe dell’animo umano.
Yun Ai è una protagonista che entra nel cuore in punta di piedi. Non è l’eroina coraggiosa o ribelle: è fragile, stanca, pratica, ma ha una luce interiore che si riaccende poco alla volta. Nei suoi gesti quotidiani, nei suoi goffi inciampi nelle pozzanghere, in quel maglione troppo grande… c’è tutta la dolcezza e la resilienza di una ragazza che non si è ancora arresa del tutto.
Il Deung, il suo compagno di classe, è il classico studente modello, figlio di una società che misura il valore di una persona in base al voto, al successo, alla carriera. E poi c’è il mago. Un personaggio che sembra folle, ma che in fondo è solo l’unico che ha avuto il coraggio di non cedere. Che ha scelto la magia – o meglio, la libertà – al posto della normalità.
Ecco, The Sound of Magic è proprio questo: un’opera che ti costringe a farti domande. Quante volte, da bambini, abbiamo sognato di diventare astronauti, cantanti, maghi? Quando abbiamo smesso di crederci? Quando abbiamo deciso che la realtà – grigia, faticosa, prevedibile – era tutto ciò a cui potevamo aspirare?
Questo manga non dà risposte, ma semina dubbi. Ti accompagna per mano in un sogno, e poi ti lascia con un’unica, potente domanda: “Stai davvero vivendo la vita che vuoi vivere?”
Una storia che parla di sogni, ma anche di dolore. Di magia, ma anche di responsabilità. Di illusioni, ma anche di verità. Di ciò che perdiamo diventando adulti… e di ciò che possiamo ancora scegliere di recuperare.
Se hai ancora un po’ di magia dentro di te, questo manga ti spezzerà e ti guarirà insieme. E dopo averlo letto, probabilmente sentirai anche tu una strana voglia di cercare quel luna park abbandonato in fondo alla tua città, nella speranza di incontrare qualcuno che ti chieda, semplicemente:
“Tu, ci credi ancora nella magia?”
5/5⭐️
La sua è una vita fatta di rinunce. È poco più che un’adolescente, ma si occupa della sorellina da sola, abbandonata dal padre e schiacciata dai debiti. A scuola viene derisa, è invisibile o, peggio, ridicolizzata. Non ha nemmeno un paio di collant integri o abbastanza riso per cena. In mezzo a questa miseria quotidiana, una leggenda prende forma: si dice che in un luna park abbandonato viva un mago. Un uomo in grado di far sparire le persone. Per sempre.
Sembra una voce senza senso. Eppure Yun Ai finisce per incontrarlo davvero, questo eccentrico ahjussi. Un uomo strano, che sembra uscito da un sogno di quando era bambina. Ma è solo matto, o è davvero un mago?
Il disegno è uno degli aspetti più affascinanti del manga: elegante, onirico, spesso quasi teatrale. I pannelli non seguono sempre uno schema tradizionale; a volte si muovono liberi, sfumano i confini tra ciò che è reale e ciò che è immaginato. Ci sono momenti in cui l’arte diventa poesia visiva: i movimenti di Yun Ai mentre insegue una banconota per strada, o le espressioni cariche di emozioni non dette. Anche le piccole stranezze stilistiche (come il collo un po’ lungo di Il Deung) fanno parte di un mondo volutamente imperfetto, che riflette le crepe dell’animo umano.
Yun Ai è una protagonista che entra nel cuore in punta di piedi. Non è l’eroina coraggiosa o ribelle: è fragile, stanca, pratica, ma ha una luce interiore che si riaccende poco alla volta. Nei suoi gesti quotidiani, nei suoi goffi inciampi nelle pozzanghere, in quel maglione troppo grande… c’è tutta la dolcezza e la resilienza di una ragazza che non si è ancora arresa del tutto.
Il Deung, il suo compagno di classe, è il classico studente modello, figlio di una società che misura il valore di una persona in base al voto, al successo, alla carriera. E poi c’è il mago. Un personaggio che sembra folle, ma che in fondo è solo l’unico che ha avuto il coraggio di non cedere. Che ha scelto la magia – o meglio, la libertà – al posto della normalità.
Ecco, The Sound of Magic è proprio questo: un’opera che ti costringe a farti domande. Quante volte, da bambini, abbiamo sognato di diventare astronauti, cantanti, maghi? Quando abbiamo smesso di crederci? Quando abbiamo deciso che la realtà – grigia, faticosa, prevedibile – era tutto ciò a cui potevamo aspirare?
Questo manga non dà risposte, ma semina dubbi. Ti accompagna per mano in un sogno, e poi ti lascia con un’unica, potente domanda: “Stai davvero vivendo la vita che vuoi vivere?”
Una storia che parla di sogni, ma anche di dolore. Di magia, ma anche di responsabilità. Di illusioni, ma anche di verità. Di ciò che perdiamo diventando adulti… e di ciò che possiamo ancora scegliere di recuperare.
Se hai ancora un po’ di magia dentro di te, questo manga ti spezzerà e ti guarirà insieme. E dopo averlo letto, probabilmente sentirai anche tu una strana voglia di cercare quel luna park abbandonato in fondo alla tua città, nella speranza di incontrare qualcuno che ti chieda, semplicemente:
“Tu, ci credi ancora nella magia?”
5/5⭐️
August 31, 2024
Damn.
why do i always have that reaction after reading a ha il-kwon story... lol
There's a lot to unpack here. At its core, the main themes i feel would be
1) not letting go of the inner child in you, even when you're trying to be a responsible 'adult'
2) not judging someone who went a different path
3) not pressuring young people to become what society deems a 'responsible adult'
Spoilers, kind of:
TBC review because i need to study shdkhhdjf
why do i always have that reaction after reading a ha il-kwon story... lol
There's a lot to unpack here. At its core, the main themes i feel would be
1) not letting go of the inner child in you, even when you're trying to be a responsible 'adult'
2) not judging someone who went a different path
3) not pressuring young people to become what society deems a 'responsible adult'
Spoilers, kind of:
TBC review because i need to study shdkhhdjf
September 21, 2024
Desde que vi el primer cap del kdrama de esta historia, estaba negada a leer su webtoon porque no me había gustado nada. Así que arranqué este manhwa no esperando mucho tbh. Me sorprendió lo filosófica que terminó siendo la historia porque pensé que iba a ser algo de fantasía así bien chill y simple, y me impactó lo raro que fue el dibujo por momentos (pero raro en el buen sentido). Como la mayor parte del manhwa es en blanco y negro, jugaba mucho con los colores cuando quería expresar cierta emoción, o por momento ponía una imagen real (aka no dibujada) que me re descolocaba porque me recordaba que estaba leyendo un manhwa sjsjs no se cómo describirlo. Pero, habiendo dicho eso, la historia es excesivamente filosófica para mi gusto, y salvo las cosas que destaqué del dibujo, me pareció medio horrible smh. El ML es literalmente un personaje sacado de punpun y el mago es gojo sjsjsaj pero bueno pensé que iba a ser peor de lo que fue tbh menos mal que no era muy largo igual.
2.5 de 5 estrellas.
2.5 de 5 estrellas.
January 5, 2024
This might be one of the masterpieces I think about from time to time and come back to read again.The plot,the setting,the scenario,the story,the characters,everything touched my heart.
I accidentally stumbled upon this book in my last year of high school,and I must say,I was....thinking and considering everything in my life,what I have done till this day.
If this book was published in English,I'm pretty damn sure this would become a new York bestseller,unfortunately it isn't.Someday,if the author decides to publish this book in English,I will make sure to buy a copy.
Last but not least,Every high schooler in their last year should read this book for once.
I accidentally stumbled upon this book in my last year of high school,and I must say,I was....thinking and considering everything in my life,what I have done till this day.
If this book was published in English,I'm pretty damn sure this would become a new York bestseller,unfortunately it isn't.Someday,if the author decides to publish this book in English,I will make sure to buy a copy.
Last but not least,Every high schooler in their last year should read this book for once.
July 9, 2022
I like the art. The details and delicate beauty of the art style reminds me of Shin'ichi Sakamoto’s; the collage-y texture and magical-but-somber atmosphere remind me of Madoka Magica. I like how the artist really took advantage of the mobile platform. These aside, I personally could not understand why people love this story. I found the story intriguing at first, and the characters even less so. How the series approached the themes of growing up vs holding on to one’s youth/inner child given the context that the protagonist was impoverished felt too naïve, simplistic, and out of touch.
March 12, 2024
I want a second season because this ending isn't enough for me!
We follow mainly two high-schoolars who meet a man doing magic tricks in an abandoned amusement park, challenging all their misconceptions about adulthood and doing what you're told to do instead of following your own dreams.
The characters design was beautiful but the backgrounds and everything else wasn't to my taste, and the ending felt abrupt, so there has to be some continuation or something. but I liked it and I can see how it'll get adapted into a show
We follow mainly two high-schoolars who meet a man doing magic tricks in an abandoned amusement park, challenging all their misconceptions about adulthood and doing what you're told to do instead of following your own dreams.
The characters design was beautiful but the backgrounds and everything else wasn't to my taste, and the ending felt abrupt, so there has to be some continuation or something. but I liked it and I can see how it'll get adapted into a show
July 16, 2025
After 1.5 years , I have picked up a new webtoon titled "The Sound of Magic: Annarasumanara" by Ilkwon Ha. The art is truly picturesque and the plot is impressive. While I was scrolling down the panel on my device, I stumbled upon an art and how I wished I could get a printout of the freaking art. So, that I could put it in the frame and attach it to the wall in my room. Now, moving on to the 1st episode, it talked about the struggles of Yun Ai. She had to handle her part - time job along with her studies.
August 14, 2025
Cruda, real, oscura y con un toque mágico para darnos una importante crítica social sobre la importancia jerarquica que te da el dinero dentro de la comunidad y cómo esto nos arrebata la ilusión y nos obliga a dejar de creer.
El arte y el tipo de ilustración es muy original y me parece la mejor manera de contar una historia así.
Ya había visto el Kdrama, pero había oído que la novela gráfica en la que está basada le da mil vueltas y tienen toda la razón.
Me lo deboré entero en cuestión de 1h.
Deseando leer el siguiente tomo!!
El arte y el tipo de ilustración es muy original y me parece la mejor manera de contar una historia así.
Ya había visto el Kdrama, pero había oído que la novela gráfica en la que está basada le da mil vueltas y tienen toda la razón.
Me lo deboré entero en cuestión de 1h.
Deseando leer el siguiente tomo!!
April 10, 2023
(might be more of a 3.5 but i am unsure)
okay so definitely interesting and i rlly enjoyed the art style and the general plot.
im a little confused about the magician but i liked the ending and the whole thing flowed rlly nice
i also thought thered be more magic? but i guess this is supposed to be more of a mystery than a fantasy BUT still you give me a magician who is apparently a real magician im gonna wanna see the magic!
okay so definitely interesting and i rlly enjoyed the art style and the general plot.
im a little confused about the magician but i liked the ending and the whole thing flowed rlly nice
i also thought thered be more magic? but i guess this is supposed to be more of a mystery than a fantasy BUT still you give me a magician who is apparently a real magician im gonna wanna see the magic!
May 20, 2021
Loved this with all my heart! I read it ages ago and balled my eye out and it just blew my mind! I would get a physical copy if I could and this is coming from someone who only reads these types of things digital
May 6, 2025
Lo empecé a leer por webtoon y los primeros capítulos me dejaron completamente intrigada, así que una vez que lo licenciaron no podía dejar escapar la oportunidad de saber qué más ocurre en la vida de Ai.
June 22, 2018
for the entire series 3.25
Read
March 6, 2020Too dark and heavy so im out
September 29, 2020
beautiful and magical
April 7, 2022
read this back in jan 2021. finally we are getting the kdrama in a month
May 25, 2022
Un premier tome très intrigant, hâte de lire la suite ╰(*´︶`*)╯
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