Navigating Magic and Logic

Note: This post is the third part of a series that explores the main message of the Korean webtoon Annarasumanara. You might want to read the introduction, the first part, and the second part first.

After a long journey examining our main characters’ views, in this post we will sum up the stance that Annarasumanara holds in relation to life. In the two previous posts, we have seen Ah-ee, Il-deung, and R’s perspectives on life. I have demonstrated that the story rejects Ah-ee and Il-deung’s (and Min-hyuk’s) initial view which champions academic and economic success. Now, I will first show that the story, too, does not tell us to adopt R’s view. Then, I will point out the view Annarasumanara suggests we have.

When Dreams Aren't Enough

Three major things in the story reveal that R’s belief in fully chasing your dreams is not ideal: (1) R’s humanization; (2) Ah-ee’s mistake; (3) The story’s ending. Let’s look at these three things one at a time.

First, R is humanized as the story progresses. The way R is initially presented may have painted him as some sort of mysterious and cryptic deity. The fact that he correctly perceived Ah-ee’s long lost love for magic and Il-deung’s difficult position on the asphalt road further cements this image. We, the readers, become inclined to fully believe in him and his ideals. However, the latter part of the story fully shines the spotlight on R and his past. He is revealed to have suffered terrible stress in high school, and that is the reason why he turned out this way. Min-young notes that perhaps R wanted to stay a child forever. This observation casts all of R’s previous statements in a new light. His “nuggets of wisdom” are now framed as something a child would say. Thus, we should evaluate his statements properly. (I’m not saying that everything R said is wrong. He can still be correct, e.g., his correct observation of Il-deung.) 

This need for evaluation is supported by Ah-ee's thoughts. At the end of chapter 25, Ah-ee states that R cannot escape from becoming an adult. Then, in chapter 26, Ah-ee hopes that R can someday become the adult he wants to be. This means that R cannot fully cling to his childlike ideals forever. For us, the readers, this means that we cannot fully cling to the childlike views and ways that R believes in. Growing up means changing, and the same thing applies to our views. We will find ourselves changing our views – whether naturally or intentionally – as we grow up.

Ah-ee's thoughts about R in chapter 25

Ah-ee's thoughts about R in chapter 26

The second reason why I believe the story does not encourage us to fully believe in R is because Ah-ee actually did that and eventually realizes it is a mistake. At least a part of her actually believed that he was a real magician: A mysterious deity-like being with supernatural powers who could command things into and out of existence. As a result, she becomes disappointed when she finds out that R is as human as she is. This can be seen from several moments: When Ah-ee first met Min-young (chapter 13), Ah-ee’s thoughts after that meeting (chapter 14), her reaction when the police arrests R and divulges his identity (chapter 23), and her reaction when she finds R’s notebook detailing his magic tricks (chapter 24).

Chapter 23: Ah-ee’s reaction when a police officer explains R’s identity. Her eyes are drawn progressively messier as she listens, indicating her disappointment/surprise.

In chapter 13, Ah-ee admits that a tiny part of her truly believed in R. She further admits that she must have thought of him as a perfect being in chapter 14. This explains why she feels disappointed after meeting Min-young. The meeting forced Ah-ee to confront the reality that R is human. After a brief time away from R, Ah-ee finds herself believing in him again after he performed “time-travelling” magic. This child-like belief is once again shattered when R is arrested. Ah-ee finds herself disappointed yet again upon learning R’s true identity and R’s reliance on tricks to perform his magic. This time, however, Ah-ee seeks Min-young to learn more about R. Only after Ah-ee learns of R’s past is she able to accept his full humanity.

Chapter 14

Finally, Annarasumanara’s ending itself discourages the idea that we are to fully embrace R’s ideals. In the last chapter, we do not see Ah-ee ditching everything to chase after magic. She still continues her academic journey (attending university) and has a tutoring job. What we do see is Ah-ee making room for magic. On a smaller level, Ah-ee makes time to engage in seemingly “pointless” activities she enjoys like sending letters through the magic mailbox. On a larger level, Ah-ee manages to land a part-time job as a magician. She may not have a lot of time to pursue this dream, but she is not letting it go. This is in line with what she says in chapter 26. She tells R what she has learned from him: our dreams are important. Note that she doesn’t say, “My dreams are the most important thing in life and I have to sacrifice everything for it”. Ah-ee now knows not to fully accept everything R says as if he were a perfect deity. She now understands where he is coming from. He is a human being with his own flaws. Nevertheless, Ah-ee demonstrates that there are still precious things we can learn from R.

Annarasumanara’s Ultimate Message: Appreciating Life in Its Entirety

What is, then, the view that Annarasumanara suggest we adopt? It is this: We must make room for both the realistic (“logic”) and the child-like (“magic”). The room for “magic” may not be as big as the room for “logic”, but the important thing is that we are making room. This is why I refrain from using the word “balance” (e.g. “We have to maintain balance between magic and logic”) because the reality is that not everyone can make rooms of equal sizes for “magic” and “logic”.

Like what we have seen, the story itself discourages us from wandering into either extreme: taking an extremely realistic point of view (like Ah-ee and Il-deung at the beginning of the story) or an extremely child-like point of view (like the magician). We must continuously juggle, negotiate, and consider both perspectives. Though it may sound contradictory, one example demonstrates that it is possible. And that example is, well, magic!

What goes through your head when you watch a magician perform? Do you simply think of what kind of trick magician uses? Or do you also think of how cool the performance is? There is some truth in describing magic as a bunch of tricks, but by doing so, we fail to appreciate magic in its entirety. We fail to acknowledge the feelings of awe and wonder that go hand in hand with magic. On the other hand, fully believing magic as a supernatural act disconnects us from the real world. We relish the pleasant experience it brings, but refuse to acknowledge that reality doesn’t work that way. This, too, is a failure to truly appreciate magic in its entirety.

Now, let us return to the initial question. What goes through your head when you watch a magician perform? I’m sure many people entertain both the real and magical aspect of the performance. We allow ourselves to indulge in the magical, yet we remain aware of reality. And guess what? We are still able to enjoy the performance. This is proof that we are able to simultaneously and healthily consider both the realistic and the child-like.

In the same way, choosing either extreme to look at life is a failure to appreciate life in its entirety. It is true that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but life isn’t completely devoid of sunshine and rainbows either. Life as we know it today is a combination of the pleasant and unpleasant. If we focus only on the unpleasant (“logic”), we become blind to the joy and beauty this world still has to offer. If we focus only on the pleasant (“magic”), we fail to attend to the pain and suffering present in this world. Considering both “logic” and “magic” gives us a better, fuller view on life that is not detached from how life really is.

Conclusion

Through its captivating tale about magic, adults, reality, and children, Annarasumanara  tackles a crucial question: How should I live my life? The world offers us many answers. Many – like Ah-ee and Il-deung – set their eyes on academic and economic successes. Some – like the magician – wholly commit themselves to their dreams. Annarasumanara offers another answer: instead of choosing either extreme, it is important to make room for both.

At the end of the day, we are still free to choose whatever worldview we want. Nevertheless, I believe the view Annarasumanara gives us is a much better alternative than an extremely realistic or idealistic point of view. Let us all learn to appreciate life in its entirety with all the good and the bad.

Thank you very much for reading this series on Annarasumanara’s main message! I hope there are parts you enjoyed and found interesting. If you enjoyed everything, great! I, too, had a good time writing my thoughts down and organizing them.

And yet there is one last thing I must do. I must ask you a question – yes, the same question that Ah-ee and the magician have left us with.

Do you believe in magic?