Genie, Make a Wish

WISH GRANTED, CHAOS DELIVERED!

***DISCLAIMER: THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. YOU DON’T HAVE TO AGREE AND I’M NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH ANYONE.***

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OVERVIEW:

Genie, Make A Wish is a fractured fairytale full of chaos, romance, comedy, and surprisingly deep emotion. It is basically about a young woman deemed a psychopath, completely devoid of any emotion, whose life is suddenly turned upside down when a 1000+ year-old genie shows up threatening to kill her.

The story follows Ka Young a mere human and Iblis, a mischievous and “evil” genie obsessed with proving humans are corrupt. Their wild, messy journey twists through wishes, secret mysteries, complicated feelings, and yes, a surprisingly intense love story. Fans of My Demon and under supernatural dramas will recognize the same mix of emotional pain, supernatural intrigue, and morally grey characters. I came for the reunited onscreen pairing, stayed for the magic and chaos, and was left wanting way more.

The best way to describe it? Aladdin meets Lucifer, a crossover where wishes, divine rules, and forbidden romance collide.

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COMMENTARY (SPOILERS AHEAD!) :

• Initial Thoughts

The first three episodes hooked me instantly. The pacing, tension, and setup were perfect. The chemistry between Iblis and Ka Young was explosive, even though their backstory was heartbreaking. They gave off ill-fated lovers vibes, like their souls belonged together.

Their dynamic was very much enemies to lovers. Ka Young constantly gave him a hard time and he loved it. Every time she kicked, fought, or beat him up, I was dying laughing. They are so silly, literally losers in love and I adore them.

The show balanced intense, somber moments with lighthearted fluff. Beneath all the magic, it hits deep about love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. It’s also about choices, showing how even as a human or supernatural being you get to decide who you want to be. Iblis, through loving Ka Young, changed his ways, finally bowing to a human and appreciating the fragility and bliss of life. Being with her across lifetimes felt like the epitome of soulmatism.


• Themes & Character Depth

The drama portrayed how different people respond to being granted three wishes. Some were consumed by greed and abused their power, forgetting what truly mattered, like family and love, while others realized they were happy with how their life was before or showed repentance for their previous sins. The show’s message was clear: greed destroys, but love redeems. You can’t alter the past, but you can make choices that shape a better future.

Ka Young herself embodied that message. Her life was rough, and her antisocial personality disorder acted like armor, shielding her from the full weight of abandonment and pain from her mother. No child deserves to be discarded for being different. Over time, her dark humor and constant threats became endearing because you could tell she would never truly cross the lines her grandma set. Ka Young’s conscious decision to continue learning and trying to be better, studying emotions and facial cues, following routines, and trying to stay calm for her grandma, touched my heart. Their relationship was one of the sweetest and most grounded aspects of the drama.

Pan Geum and Mi Ju’s story was heartbreaking in its own right. When Pan Geum became young again and heard what the villagers said about Ka Young, it crushed her. She was the only one who loved her granddaughter unconditionally despite her differences. That’s why she accepted Iblis so quickly. She knew he would stand by and love her granddaughter no matter what, and that brought the story full circle.


• Love & Loss

Ahn Eun Jin was perfect as young Pan Geum. She captured the same essence as Kim Mi Kyung and I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else. The budding romance between Min Ji and young Pan Geum / Mi Ju was a little odd, but also sweet. I feel the show didn't really push the romance and made it one sided like an innocent crush. Was it unnecessary? A bit however, Min Ji was none the wiser so I just took it as her falling in love with a stranger… when she did come to know though I felt bad.

The scene where Pan Geum finally died hit hard but I was annoyed that Ka Young didn’t weep then. I guess everyone grieves differently, and we need to remember that Ka Young’s go-to mechanism is not feeling anything. Even though she had tears well up in her eyes at the thought of losing Iblis, in my opinion it was like she couldn’t bring herself to believe her grandma was really gone. She was trying to cope while also just generally being her emotionally numb self. We finally saw the extent of her being unable to express her emotions and repressing them in as she breaks down in the desert before dying too. In a way, I found it ironic because her intention was always to die along with her grandma, and in that regard, she got her wish. But as it turned out, her grandma wished her another life, and she got reincarnated which to me was the best possible ending for the couple. I only wish the grandma came back in some form as well.


• Performance Highlights

Suzy absolutely slayed in this role, she ate and left no crumbs. She was phenomenal as Ka Young, effortlessly embodying the stoic, ice-cold, almost expressionless vibe of a character who is hard to read yet completely captivating. Her character was meant to be stoic and detached, but in very small the moments she let her guard down, it was clear there was an actual person beneath the personality disorder, someone still capable of "caring" deep deep down and trying to protect her friend(s) and family. Those glimpses were beautiful and felt entirely authentic.

Her acting landed perfectly. I loved the scene where Iblis shocked her by taking charge and kissing her back, seeing the subtle shock on her face was everything. Additionally, the scenes of her beating up Iblis and threatening the bad guys had me dying. She seems so frail but has this insane energy that makes those moments hilarious. Her outfits were always on point, matching her character’s cool, untouchable aura. She is a visual who owns every frame she is in. For me, her performance here surpasses her previous projects. She brought a grounded authenticity to Ka Young, never overplaying charm or forcing emotions, yet leaving you completely charmed by every scene.

Woo Bin was such a delight to watch in this role. I finally got to see his sassy and funny side, which was a refreshing change from the more stoic, reserved characters he usually plays similar to roles like Ka Young. His timing and delivery were impeccable, and the way he expressed humor and subtle sarcasm made him instantly charming without ever feeling forced. It was fun to see him lean into this lighter, more expressive side while still keeping moments of depth when the story called for it. For me, it showed a versatility that I hadn’t fully appreciated in his previous roles, and it made his character incredibly engaging and memorable.

The scene where Iblis tried on different outfits had me laughing hysterically, I even had to replay it. Seeing him dressed up as Choi Young Do from The Heirs was such a trip down memory lane and honestly was not on my bingo card. The fact that Woo Bin still looks almost the same after 11 years is crazy. Then there’s the moment when she punches him in the face, which was just as hilarious. They’re truly so silly together, and their dynamic deserves to be cherished. They definitely give grumpy², but she brings out his fun side and softens him whenever they’re together. The scenes after their first kiss were also adorable, especially when Ka Young kept tracking him down just because she wanted to kiss him again.


• Chemistry

The chemistry between Woo Bin and Suzy was absolutely electric and I found myself giggling and kicking my feet quite often anytime they'd interact. Their interactions crackle with tension, humor, and vulnerability, making even the smallest gestures feel full of emotion. Ka Young isn’t really one for emotions or affection, which made the moments she did show them all the more powerful. Every time she hugged him, I melted a little. The scene where it seemed like she almost had tears in her eyes, her eyes red at the thought of losing him, was genuinely touching.

Suzy did well in the intense moments and also the funny lighthearted ones. Woo Bin matched her perfectly, balancing charm, wit, and tenderness, creating a dynamic that felt natural and entertaining. Whether they are bickering, teasing, or sharing quiet moments under the stars, the sparks between them are undeniable. Their energy elevates every scene, drawing the viewer in and making even the lighter, comedic moments feel meaningful. The tension, warmth, and understated vulnerability in their relationship are what make their connection so compelling and memorable, truly the emotional heartbeat of the series.


• Past Lives & Sacrifice

The past life backstory between Iblis and Ka Young was heartbreaking. Woo Bin nailed every expression, you could feel and see the pain in his eyes. I got déjà vu watching him suffer again like in Uncontrollably Fond. But finally, they got their happy ending. Seeing them be reunited and have a happy ending in this drama / life highkey healed me.

The sacrifice of Min Ji making her last wish knowing she would forget Ka Young but making it so she would be able to live out her dreams, was bittersweet. I only wished Min Ji had said, “I hope you reunite with the ones* you miss,” instead of “the one you miss,” so she could remain in Ka Young’s life despite the rule that after the final wish, the wisher forgets everything. I wish they had included this loophole or something.

The only relief was seeing Min Ji going back to the desert in Dubai to watch the genies waltz years later. Behind the swirling sands, seeing Iblis and Ka Young dancing again was adorable, and of course, he’s still stepping on her toes after all this time.


• Highs and Lows: Where they (almost) lost me

Somewhere in the middle, the drama lost me a little. Making the genie out to be Satan felt over the top. The dynamic between Iblis and Ejllael reminded me of Lucifer with the fallen angel, brother conflict, and heaven versus hell storyline. Ejllael was lowkey hot and that made it hard for me to hate him.

One thing that annoyed me was how everyone could just suddenly enter Iblis’ lamp. There was no mechanism to decide who could enter or exit. As long as you were a supernatural or had a supernatural being bring you in, you could basically walk in. Don’t even get me started on Khalid also being able to get in too… that pissed me off.

Additionally, Shadi’s storyline with his son Khalid, a half-spirit, half-human child who endured illness then became immortal through body / soul swapping and sought even more control, and power felt drawn out and frustrating. The revelation of the decrepit old man behind the child’s body was shocking / terrifying and darkly humorous, adding a surreal twist to the narrative. Khalid’s relentless havoc, manipulative nature, and pure envy made him a character I couldn’t wait to see meet his end. When this tiny terror was finally was killed by Iblis, I couldn’t help but cheer. This messy father-son dynamic, steeped in supernatural elements and moral ambiguity, added depth to the story, highlighting themes of power, identity, envy, greed and the human desire for control.


• Flaws & Missteps

The biggest flaw or downfall of this drama, in my opinion, was how much lore it tried to cram in. Angels, demons, shapeshifters, gods, all at once. I really liked Sade and Irem, their shapeshifting had genuine potential, but so much of the storytelling got lost along the way. The wish logic was inconsistent as well. Every time someone made a wish, there was always one person who remembered, like the old lady who recalled her daughter’s past life, or Halmoni Pan Geum becoming young and turning into Mi Ju, only for someone else to piece it together and use it against her. At times, it just felt like there was too much going on, which made it hard to fully follow or invest in the story. I can understand why some people gave up. You really had to pay close attention to certain scenes to keep up, or it was easy to get confused.


• Visuals & Sound

The cinematography was stunning and captured the feeling essence of the village life, the beauty of Dubai as well as the magic of it all. The cherry blossom scenes were definitely my favorite not to mention the stargazing moments where it seemed like they were the only two people on earth.

On the other hand, I do think the fight sequences between Iblis and Ejllael had some wonky CGI, but honestly, that was part of the fun for me. It added a layer of humor and kept things lighthearted. I mean, everything can’t be perfect, and i just accepted the drama for what it was… flaws and all.

The OST was amazing, especially Lover by Ha Hyung Sang, Your Other Name by Kwon Jin Ah, and A Night Full of You by Suzy, which perfectly captured the melancholic yet hopeful tone of the series.


• Controversy

Some viewers have raised concerns about the use of the name “Iblis,” which in Islamic scripture is a jinn who refused to bow to Adam and was cast out of Heaven. I understand why that could feel uncomfortable or even offensive to some. I do think it came across as careless and insensitive to their religion to use that name when they could’ve easily chosen something else. I’ve also seen people say the drama was “romanticizing Satan,” but I personally I didn’t see it that way while watching. The story focuses on a genie (not the literal devil) and the name “Iblis” seems to have been used more as a cultural reference since the setting ties to the Middle East. I would say it’s similar to how other adaptations like Aladdin have drawn from the same folklore.

I am not Muslim, so I approached it like I usually do with fantasy-heavy dramas like My Demon and Doom At Your service. I tried to keep an open mind and separating my own beliefs from the story. That helped me focus more on the plot and the characters’ personal and collective journeys rather than the religious implications. Still, I think anyone who’s sensitive to those themes should do a little research first so they know what to expect.


• Suggested Audience

I would recommend this drama especially to those who enjoyed My Demon. That one missed the mark a bit and didn’t make sense for me because the mortal/immortal situation would have prevented a real relationship. Here, both characters eventually become immortal since Ka Young is reincarnated as a genie. They can finally be together without the suffering. My only gripe is no final kiss before they dispersed to fulfill their daily genie wishes but maybe I’m just greedy.

The ending was hopeful and happy, so anyone who was wondering can rest easy.


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FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall, I give this drama a solid 8/10. Genie, Make a Wish was flawed, messy, and chaotic, but also endearing, and the ending left me happy for the most part. It made me laugh, swoon, and even tear up. By the resolution, I felt like I, like Ka Young, went through the five stages of grief—feeling the heartache, joy, and a little magic all rolled into one. Honestly, my younger self would never believe the day would come where the Uncontrollably Fond couple would reunite and finally get their happy ending. It was truly sweet seeing their journey come full circle.

NB: This drama definitely won’t be for everyone so tread carefully. Luckily for me it was entertaining and ended up being right up my alley.

Once again, this is just my opinion and I never intend to offend anyone who thinks differently.


Thanks for reading & happy watching!
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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The therapy we've been wishing for a long time.

Genie, Make a Wish is the drama that healed me after the heartbreak that Uncontrollably Fond (2016) has caused me. Kim Woo Bin and Suzy's chemistry is still the best! And now, with a lot of improvements.

Despite, the craziness of the plot. It greatly introduced the audience to a mythology, a take into angels vs demons (genies). It is also very entertaining and a nice salute to writer Kim Eun Sook and her past projects.

Kim Woo Bin showed his comedic chops, very different from his dominant persona from his past Kdramas. He still made us cry with his drama and crying but the highlight is his comedic take to Genie/Iblis. Suzy showed her improvement (comapared to Uncontrollably Fond). Her psychotic smile always gets me and makes me laugh. She also showed her acting prowess towards the end (dessert crying scene). Their chemistry is still undeniable and I'm very grateful for them reuniting in this project. Those kissing scenes were epic!

This kdrama looks like a collaboration that everyone has been waiting for. Despite some flaws on the story-telling, I would still recommend this drama, specially to those who watched Uncontrollably Fond. This is our therapy. This is the kdrama we've been wishing for. Let's enjoy this one!

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