You can find all our “K-Pop Lyrics Explained” articles in one place by clicking here! This week, we’re diving deep into the lyrics of one of the most poignant songs from the OST of “The Sound Of Magic”, titled ‘Consolation’. Starring Ji ChangWook, Choi SungEun, and Hwang InYoup in the leading roles, this webtoon-based musical K-Drama tells the story of a young girl named Yun AhYi (played by Choi SungEun) who has lost the childish innocence of her heart and longs for the independence that adulthood brings. During one of the darkest times of her life, she serendipitously encounters a mysterious magician named RiEul (played by Ji ChangWook) and under his guidance, rediscovers the hidden enchantment of the world. Spoiler Alert! In episode 4, aptly called “Becoming An Adult”, AhYi struggles with accusations of extortion levied on her by IlDeung’s mother and in turn, the school. With photographs of IlDeung (played by Hwang InYoup) handing her cash being circulated on school forums, general consensus dictates that AhYi had been blackmailing IlDeung for money. Unable to expose their deal, AhYi is left dumbstruck yet defenseless, prompting her homeroom teacher to call for her father. Dejected at the helplessness of her situation, AhYi walks home with a heavy heart, only to be met with her estranged father at home. The illusion of a happy reunion is broken the very next morning when she realizes the true reason for her father’s visit: money. However, what truly frustrates her is him running away while pushing the responsibility of adulthood on her shoulders. In the heat of disappointment and exhaustion, AhYi pleads for him to take her little sister YooYi with him, which quickly backfires when she goes “missing” the day after. As it turns out, she had just fallen asleep at a friend’s place but the panic and regret it brought upon AhYi was enough for her to break down completely. That evening, AhYi visits the amusement park where RiEul lives, only to be faced with the dilemma of skipping to the future. RiEul equates it with her father running away, which hits AhYi like a ton of bricks. Instead, he offers to let her meet this “future” self - the only one she can rely on in this world. “Annara Sumanara” goes The Magician and we’re transported to a children’s park with little AhYi playing in the sand. The symbolism this transition holds makes it arguably one of the most philosophically rich scenes in the entire series. From the very beginning, RiEul speaks to AhYi’s wounded inner child who is deeply in need of healing. So, when she asks to meet her future self, it is only right that the little girl in her comes face to face with the AhYi of the present. Not only is this an excellent piece of cinematic exposition but it also brings forth the brilliance of RiEul. This is not your run-of-the-mill wizard desperate to show off; RiEul is godsent. In light of this context, let’s take a look at the lyrics of the song that follows: ‘Consolation’.
“Maybe it was too much / To ask for the world to embrace me / Is that child / Who would stomp her little feet / Doing well?” From a young age, AhYi faced the harshness of a world that should ideally have been sunshine and rainbows. The child who thought she had the universe at her fingertips was disillusioned a little too soon. The tantrums she could once throw are now luxuries she cannot afford and the purity of her heart is no longer protected. “Did you manage to overcome / All of the longing / That you’d asked to leave you alone? It’s too hard to bear that burden alone” Through this magical encounter transcending time and space, AhYi is able to reconcile with the part of her that she had once abandoned. It is natural, therefore, that she feels the need to catch up. The kindness she couldn’t show herself at that age evokes empathy in the present and allows AhYi to acknowledge her need for childlike wonder. “All of the things we couldn’t talk about / And this day we spent together / We’ll fold it all into a white paper boat / And send it into tomorrow / When we meet again / After crossing the wide / And treacherous sea” This self-soothing that was long overdue is all the more significant now. Like a message in a bottle, AhYi will hold this moment close to her heart and allow it to lead her into the future. After all, she has something to protect now: herself. “I hope that my future self / Won’t be as naive or weak as I am / And will tell me / That I’m happy / Goodbye for now / Until the day / We meet again” Someday, far into the future, when she finds herself disenchanted once again, AhYi will look back at this rendezvous in time with fondness and gain strength from the same. Until then, she must hold on to hope for a brighter tomorrow. As the song gently comes to a close, AhYi wonders whether her younger self is disappointed in her. On the contrary, baby AhYi couldn’t be prouder. Having received this reassurance from her own self, AhYi can now move forward with a renewed zest for life. The smile on her face speaks for itself as she resumes her practice in magic, ready to take on the world on her own terms. What was your favourite song from “The Sound Of Magic”? Tell us in the comments section down below!
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