Magic is a concept that has captivated humanity for centuries. From ancient civilizations to modern societies, the idea of magic has been passed down through myths and legends. It is often associated with supernatural powers and abilities that defy the laws of nature. Myths surrounding magic vary across cultures. In Greek mythology, for example, magic is strongly connected to gods and goddesses. The enchantress Circe is portrayed as a powerful sorceress who uses her magic to transform the companions of Odysseus into animals.
The first point I do understand, there is a sizable real-life age gap between the lead couple, 14 years is substantial. This is not a new trend, as this is a recurring criticism in casting dramas, however in the series I did not see anything untoward. They are actors in a role, and quite frankly the romance aspect is very light. Spoilers here, but there isn't even a kiss in the series, not that it needed one, but let's be honest Western TV has done far worse to far younger actresses. Kim Sae Ron was a seasoned actress at the time, and I didn't think this was anything that made the viewer uncomfortable. I didn't even note the issue until afterwards when others pointed out the ages, but this is a business and a profession, they were working; it's not real life. If you want to get really technical, historically during that time period it was very common for much older males to marry younger females. uncomfortably young. However, I felt both leads put in an excellent performance in this, the casting all around was great.
This series was what I wanted from a supernatural one, it didn t have senseless filler, the narrative moved well, the acting was great, it didn t lose focus in the middle, and the ending was beautiful. Personally, I have stopped reading the comments on MDL for shows until after I have watched them, as I, like I m sure many others, find them somewhat negative and overly critical.
The enchantress Circe is portrayed as a powerful sorceress who uses her magic to transform the companions of Odysseus into animals. In Norse mythology, the god Loki is known for his ability to shape-shift and use magic to deceive others. Magic also plays a prominent role in many fairy tales and folktales.
Mirror if the witcg
Mirror of the Witch is a fantasy romance sageuk about the Joseon royal physician, Heo Jun, known as the father of Eastern medicine who becomes involved with a cursed princess who has been turned into a witch. The two work together as they try to break the curse and save the kingdom.
Mirror of the Witch is like a dark fairy tale that I found to be different from many other kdramas I have seen. While there are moments of humor scattered throughout, the overall feel is dark and moody.
The story sets up with the current queen unable to conceive a royal heir. A shamaness is brought in who uses dark magic to get the Queen pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. But this dark magic results in the princess becoming cursed and having to be hid away from the world.
Yoon Shi Yoon plays Heo Jun. I really enjoyed the wide range of emotions he was able to bring to the drama. We do get to see moments of his signature playfulness, but he really delivers the needed emotion to bring the character of Jun to life.
Jun has a tough life in many ways and getting involved with the princess only makes things more complicated. But his feelings continually build for her as he becomes her protector. He has to deal with a lot of heartbreak, but when it comes to being with her, he would sacrifice anything.
Kim Sae Ron is our cursed princess Yeon Hee. Kim Sae Ron is such a talented girl and was able to portray Yeon Hee’s sweet and innocent side as well as her more strong and take charge one. She completely fit the part of our lovely princess that had so much coming against her.
Many people were worried about the real life age gap between the two actors, but I didn’t find that it affected anything. Yoon Shi Yoon looks so youthful that the age gap didn’t seem that large. And the two were quite adorable as a couple with a very nice rapport.
Both actors were very convincing in their feelings for each other. It was always kept very pure, but it had a maturity to it. I really loved watching their love blossom. As Yeon Hee just longs to break the curse and be normal, Jun is the one who loves her no matter what she looks like or is cable of.
These two had some really intense moments in their long fight for survival. Their longing gazes say so much, and the heartbreak they have to deal with is written on their faces. They were my favorite part of the drama, and I really enjoyed their fairy tale like love story.
Hong Joo (Yum Jung Ah) is the lead shamaness whose use of dark magic sets everything in motion. She is ruthless and powerful and will stop at nothing to accomplish what she wants.
Her power is so far reaching that she is basically able to make almost everyone into her puppet at some point. You can’t let your guard down for a second when it comes to this woman.
Choi Hyun Soo (Lee Sung Jae) makes it his mission to protect Joseon and the cursed princess as he works to find a way to break the curse. But because of a complicated history with Hong Joo, their rivalry is never a simple matter.
Yo Gwang (Lee Yi Kyung) is part of Hyun Soo’s team of good guys and helps protect Yeon Hee. He puts everything on the line to protect her and break the curse.
Poong Yeon (Kwak Shi Yang) is Hyun Soo’s son who develops feelings for Yeon Hee while she is hidden away. It creates problems since she really only sees him as a brother. Kwak Shi Yang certainly brought some intensity to this character as Poong Yeon has many demons to overcome.
There are a number of talented supporting characters who heavily influence events in Mirror of the Witch. Queen Shim (Jang Hee Jin) becomes a willing participant in Hong Joo’s plan since she is desperate to conceive a child.
King Seon Jo (Lee Ji Hoon) finds himself as one of Hong Joo’s puppets as she holds a tight grip over him. I found him to be a very intense character, and many times it was hard to predict just what he was going to do.
Heo Ok (Jo Dal Hwan) is Heo Jun’s half brother who cause him much heartache in the first part of the drama. He looks down on Jun for being born from a slave. Saying their relationship is strained would be an understatement.
And as Poong Yeon’s right hand, Sol Gae (Moon Ga young) is always by his side in his quest to protect Yeon Hee. She is dedicated to him and has to deal with her own growing feelings.
The main negative I had with Mirror of the Witch was that it felt pretty slow overall and got quite draggy in the latter third. Many times it just lacked an intensity that I felt should be there. Rather than focusing on Hong Joo and her repetitively casting spells so much, I wish the drama would have spent more time on Jun and Yeon Hee since they were so captivating when on screen.
But Mirror of the Witch sets up a very interesting and solid mythology that runs throughout the entire drama, and I really enjoyed the many fantasy elements. All of the supporting cast also really brought their individual characters to life with solid performances.
And of course, Yoon Shi Yoon and Kim Sae Ron nailed their roles and both gave moving performances. Their love story was also sweet and beautiful like a fairy tale. These things all made Mirror of the Witch a mostly enjoyable watch that was a nice departure from what else is out there.
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King Seon Jo (Lee Ji Hoon) finds himself as one of Hong Joo’s puppets as she holds a tight grip over him. I found him to be a very intense character, and many times it was hard to predict just what he was going to do.
These stories often feature witches or wizards who possess magical abilities. They can cast spells, brew potions, and perform other mystical acts. Fairy tales like "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Beauty and the Beast" all contain magical elements that drive the narrative. In modern times, magic is often depicted in popular literature and media. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, for instance, has captured the imagination of millions of readers with its portrayal of a hidden magical world. The story follows the journey of a young wizard named Harry Potter as he attends a magical school and battles against dark forces. Despite its prevalence in myths and popular culture, magic remains a subject of debate and skepticism in the real world. Many individuals claim to possess magical abilities, such as psychics, mediums, and practitioners of witchcraft. However, these claims are often met with skepticism and scientific scrutiny. In conclusion, the concept of magic is deeply ingrained in human culture and has been passed down through myths and legends. Whether seen as a supernatural power or a mere illusion, magic continues to captivate our imagination and inspire countless stories and tales..
Reviews for "Marvelous Illusions: The Art of Deception in Magic"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Magic Myth Marvel'. The writing was dull and lacked depth, and the character development was virtually nonexistent. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied by the end. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable read with little to offer in terms of originality or compelling storytelling."
2. John - 1/5 stars - "I couldn't even finish 'Magic Myth Marvel'. The writing was so poorly executed, it felt like it was written by a middle school student. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, and the world-building was confusing and inconsistent. I had high hopes for this book, but it just fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I found 'Magic Myth Marvel' to be quite boring. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it felt like the story didn't really go anywhere. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. I struggled to stay engaged throughout and ended up feeling disappointed. The premise had potential, but unfortunately, it was not executed well."
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "I had high expectations for 'Magic Myth Marvel', but it failed to meet them. The writing style was uninspiring, and the storytelling lacked finesse. I found it difficult to connect with the characters as they felt one-dimensional and lacked development. The plot, while promising, failed to deliver on its potential and left me feeling underwhelmed. Overall, it was a disappointing read."
5. Lauren - 1/5 stars - "I cannot believe the positive reviews for 'Magic Myth Marvel'. The writing was atrocious, with clumsy prose and inconsistent pacing. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, and the characters were poorly developed. I was left scratching my head wondering why this book received any praise at all. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one."