A bumpy ride that eventually charms
When I first started watching Genie, Make a Wish, I wasn’t impressed. The opening episodes felt slow and oddly disjointed — I couldn’t tell whether it wanted to be dark fantasy, romantic comedy, or something else entirely. But as the show went on, it actually grew on me. Once you push past the rough start, it settles into a strange, entertaining mix of drama, humor, and heart.What Works
A surprisingly layered concept: The idea of a genie returning after a thousand years, bound by rules and human emotion, gives the story some philosophical weight. Critics have noted that the drama “flirts with fantasy and romance, but behind its sparkle lies a story about loneliness, morality, and the messy nature of desire.”
Strong visuals and acting: The production quality is high, and Kim Woo-bin’s performance as the genie has been widely praised for balancing intensity and charm. Bae Suzy’s character develops more slowly, but their chemistry eventually shines through.
Dark yet quirky tone: The mix of melancholy themes with random humor, lighthearted music, and “fluffy” editing choices gives the show an oddball identity. It’s sometimes jarring but also endearing — the kind of weird that starts to grow on you.
Visual appeal: The magical world is portrayed beautifully, even if the story occasionally struggles to fill it with logic.
What Doesn’t Quite Land
A rocky start: The first few episodes drag. There’s too much exposition and not enough connection between tone and story.
Inconsistent tone: The constant swing between heavy moral questioning and slapstick humor can feel uneven — as if two shows were spliced together.
Religious undertones feel forced: The inclusion of Iblis and overt religious symbolism felt out of place in a drama that otherwise plays like a fantasy romance. It adds an unnecessary layer of seriousness to what could have been a lighter, more universal story about wishes and redemption. The mythical and moral elements could have stood strong without invoking religious archetypes that distract more than they deepen.
Uneven script and pacing: Critics have pointed out that while the premise is rich, the narrative sometimes loses focus, weighed down by too many side plots and shifts in tone.
Final Verdict
If I were to give it a grade, it’s a 7/10. The show is far from perfect. The tone is all over the place, and the religious elements don’t quite fit but it’s strangely memorable. There’s genuine creativity and emotional resonance underneath the mess.
If you’re patient with slow starts and tonal whiplash, Genie, Make a Wish rewards you with humor, warmth, and a bit of magic, even if it occasionally forgets what kind of story it wants to be.
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Peak Guilty Pleasure!
Satan who's a Genie, and a Psychopath falling in love?Put aside your agenda, this is a BRAINLESS FUN!
Asking this from people is pretty much impossible, like eating sand, and thinking you're not thirsty anymore.
Anyway, the story doesn't really offer much, it's your average fantasy drama, but it's a LOT OF FUN! Isn't that most Kdrama fans want? The plot couldn't be more basic, you know what's gonna happen even before you start watching it. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the ride, tho, because not only the two main lead, Suzy and Woobin are great, but every other actors as well. They deserve the praise.
To be honest, I expected some lazy writing, and a typical ending, and we can say the finale was kind of similar to many fantasy drama, I still think they did a good job. I have to admit, they surprised me with that one twist in the end with our lovely grandma. For me, SHE IS THE MVP! Both Kim Mi Kyung and Ahn Eun Jin, not to mention, Lee Joo Young (as Minji) were amazing! Almost everyone deserve a friend like her!
My biggest complaint is the writer missed a good opportunity with the wishes, they could've delved into that part deeper, because the so called villains of the story were bland at best. The love story was good, but it's not something you can't see in any other drama. The one thing that actually made it more interesting is that the male lead is Satan, and a female lead is a psychopath. The duo was insanely good together in every possible way, and even tho it might be not obvious for many, but Kayeong's last wish was also surprising, and it was obvious she didn't realize what her wish actually meant.
The way they broke the 4th wall was unnecessary, but in some cases it was funny, especially that one cameo.
So, in general, this is a pretty good drama if you only need a fun ride, but don't expect too much seriousness. It had its moments with some deeper meaning, but that was mostly about family.
Don't believe everything you read online, this show doesn't deserve the ridiculous hate, because it's not about the story, and everyone knows that.
If you want a good guilty pleasure drama, this is for you!
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The Charming Chaos of an Immortal Genie
Genie, Make a Wish is the highly anticipated reunion of Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy, penned by the acclaimed writer Kim Eun-sook. The premise is a twist on the classic tale: a Genie (Kim Woo-bin) who has been trapped for over a thousand years is awakened by Ga-young (Bae Suzy), a woman who lacks emotions. Together, they must navigate the modern world while the Genie attempts to grant her three wishes.The series set out to tackle profound themes such as human greed and the moral consequences of wishes, all wrapped in a layer of absurd fantasy and sometimes childish comedy.
The Positive: Unique Chemistry and Performances
The undeniable strength of this drama is the chemistry between Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy. Both protagonists demonstrate a palpable connection that drives the romantic plot. Suzy’s portrayal of Ga-young, a character who operates with an almost total absence of emotion, is particularly fascinating and feels like a refreshing take on the female archetype.
Furthermore, the episodes that focus on the side stories of humans who make wishes and become corrupted by their ambition are often moving and effective, serving as an impactful meditation on human morality. The production has also been a commercial success in Korea, proving its ability to capture the public's attention.
The Negative: Confusing Tone and Irregular Pacing
The drama's reception has been notoriously mixed, primarily due to a conflict of tones. The narrative abruptly oscillates between moments of very serious existential drama and sequences of clumsy or slapstick comedy that feel out of place. This tonal confusion, combined with some special effects (CGI) that don't always measure up, can make immersion difficult, especially in the early episodes.
Many critics and viewers felt that the narrative was stretched out more than necessary, making the plot feel protracted and dense over its 13 episodes, leading to a drop in interest midway through the series. Some also felt that the writing of Kim Eun-sook, known for her polished wit, was diluted into more superficial humor.
Conclusion and Verdict
Genie, Make a Wish is not a perfect drama, but it is a chaotic and bold project that is worthwhile for certain viewers.
Recommended if:
You are an unwavering fan of Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy, and you enjoy their dynamic together.
You are looking for a wild fantasy romantic comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously.
You are interested in stories with themes of morality and the consequences of greed.
Best to avoid if:
You expect the polished, emotionally nuanced narrative of Kim Eun-sook's other works (such as Goblin).
You prefer dramas with a consistent tone and swift pacing.
In summary, if you can tolerate a somewhat slow start and an uneven tone, and if you let yourself be swept away by the leads' chemistry and the absurd fantasy elements, the drama eventually finds its emotional balance in the later episodes, offering an entertaining, albeit irregular, viewing experience.
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Genie, Make a Wish – A Disappointing Misfire
Anticipation was high for *Genie, Make a Wish* due to the reunion of Suzy and Kim Woo-bin; however, the outcome was disappointing. The pacing of the series was excruciatingly slow, with entire episodes lacking any meaningful development. What began as a promising story unraveled because of weak writing and lackluster performances.The fantasy elements were misused, diminishing their potential impact. Presenting wishful concepts without a proper understanding of one of the world's most important religions reduces spirituality to mere aesthetics. This approach trivializes cultural beliefs, making the experience uncomfortable for many viewers.
By the end, I had lost interest entirely, merely hoping for it to conclude. The OST, visuals, and talented cast deserved far better than this misstep.
For fans of Suzy and Woo-bin, I recommend rewatching *Uncontrollably Fond* instead.
Final Verdict: 1/10 – A disheartening waste of talent and time.
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odd and mediocre - but visually stunning
Honestly, this drama won't be leaving a lasting impression unlike ,uncontrollably fond' or ,goblin'. It's pretty evident, that production costs were immense - a lot was poured into cast, costumes, and CGI, which makes this drama visually stunning.However, this comes at the expenses of the plot and dialogue, which no amount of pretty faces or effects can hide.
The conversations, especially between the leads, felt odd and confusing. Initially I thought the subtitles were messed up, but even changing the language settings and trying out dubbed versions didn't help, making it clear that the dialogues themselves were incoherent at times. Some scenes even felt like they were misplaced during editing. This didn't help the already controllable fondness and lukewarm chemistry between the leads.
The plot itself was somehow decent, though it felt strange seeing (non-native) Koreans speak so much Arabic - and I mean a lot. Since I don't speak the language, I can't judge its accuracy, but it didn't feel authentic. The same goes for the use of Arabic/biblical names and references. It's always risky to adapt elements from another culture without thorough research, and this show might have fallen into that trap. Why not draw from Korean folklore instead? There must be so much to work with there.
That said, the cast did a solid job, even if some characters didn't get enough screen time to shine. I especially liked Halmeoni, Ejlael, the side-kicks Sade and Iream and the villagers - I wish we had seen more of them and their interaction with one another. They should have made it into a 16-episode series and given more depth and scenes to the side characters as well, since they were undoubtedly more interesting than the main couple.
Also, along his journey with the character played by Suzy, the genie grants wishes to various beings - but instead of integrating these scenes meaningfully, they were randomly thrown into the main plot. It would have been better, if they had made it the other way around, focusing one episode on each of these stories and weaving the main plot in gradually
- especially since the earlier episodes mainly focus on the female lead trashing the male one...
There were repeated scenes of Ki Ga Young (Bae Suzy) physically abusing the genie - actually BEATING him UP - and above all, seemingly enjoying it. Genie, disregarding his unearthly powers, just takes it in. Those scenes are supposed to be funny, but the only joke here is that the writer's previous work, The Glory, condemns violence and bullying - yet here, flogging and deadly strikes are played off casually. Maybe there is supposed to be a distinction as the victim isn't human, but it still felt wrong. It was very uncomfortable to watch and I did skip some scenes.
Another letdown was the soundtrack. The writer's previous works are known for memorable OSTs, but this series didn't have a single catchy or emotional track that stood out.
All in all, the series was alright. The ending was fitting and satisfying, and the characters, costumes and CGI were impressive. Some flashback scenes, however, looked suspiciously AI-generated.
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Don’t be fooled with the low ratings!
As someone who’s been watching K-dramas since 2010, I truly feel MDL’s ratings for this series are unjustified. The story is engaging and surprisingly thoughtful, and the pacing keeps you hooked without ever feeling dragged out. The casting is absolutely perfect, and the performances were so strong that I genuinely found myself angry at the antagonists. Suzy’s acting is truly best actress worthy (IMO). Every character feels purposeful, and the chemistry between the leads is natural and believable. It’s a solid, well-made drama that deserves more appreciation, and people should definitely give it a chance instead of relying solely on the ratings. ❤️Was this review helpful to you?
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kim woobin and suzy being back together is the best part <3
this is my first review and before i start, let me say that i'm actually a muslim myself.now, i know a lot of people are upset with the fact that the genie is literally portrayed as a shaytan and iblis and mocks islam which i get because i had the same opinion when i watched the trailer but then i decided to tune in because i loved woobin and suzy in uncontrollably fond and i was so happy that they were back together. and after watching it, yes many things are adapted from iblis from islam but also they just used it as a name? because they refer to him as a genie, as shaytan and as iblis which i wish they had not because not everything is same, they could really have avoided that by naming him iblis but it makes sense for him to be named that considering the plot. this is more like the western show lucifer yk? and lucifer was literally romanticised in it. they aren't really romanticising iblis but rather the genie if you give it a watch. but i understand if you're mad, but still i would suggest that you see it as fiction and tune in once yourself and then judge it instead of hearing it from others.
now coming to the plot, i actually really enjoyed this though it got messy at times because i feel like they tried to fit in way too many storylines in just 13 episodes. considering the amt of storylines they should have gone for the usual 16 episodes length. not to mention that i was kinda :/ abt the screentime that woobin and suzy had. i wish we had more of their scenes together and their relationship developing instead of adding a bunch of subplots which turn out flat at the end. i really loved minji and the grandma and even irem and sade, they were some of my favourite characters and storylines and i think that was enough, the rest should have been given to the main characters instead of showing us five more side stories which had three wishes each.
i absolutely adore minji's character and her friendship with kayoung. i love how we finally have a side character who's not really just a plot device for the main character and has her own story and her being a butch lesbian isn't treated as something weird or a big deal and just normalised.
the grandma stole my heart and her story was so so heartwarming though i wish we had more of the old grandma because we saw her for a very short time, i wish we got more scenes with that actress though i loved the young grandma ver, eunjin did a great job portraying her!
i absolutely love suzy i can't stress enough just how great of an actress she is, she deserves sm more recognition because the way she acts as a psycopath who can't show emotions and does full justice to it? oh bae suzy the actress that you are!
not to mention kim woobin omg i'm so happy he's recovered, hale and hearty and back because he's a gem. his character might act really silly and goofy in the beginning but in the second half, esp ep 4-ep5 onwards you really get to see him getting serious and woobin's range as an actor. he was genuinely so so good i enjoyed every second of him on screen.
woobin and suzy reuniting was the best part tho and i'm so very happy that we got them in a drama together esp after uncontrollably fond which broke my heart into a million pieces. their chemistry is off the charts and so insane omg they are adorable on screen together and i adore them so so much i need them to be in like another drama together RIGHT NOW.
i wish there were more osts because i loved the ost by suzy but we barely had any music in this show which was a little bit of a letdown.
the cgi was actually pretty decent too i think netflix did a pretty good job and i didn't find the cgi ruining my experience in any way.
my only complain would be that i wish i had more of kayoung and the genie scenes because they weren't enough considering they were the main characters and the entire story was about them. if you look back you realise that the side characters and the subplots actually take A LOT of time which was really not necessary. and if they really did plan to do that then they should have atleast increased the length of the show.
overall i had fun and i would give it a solid 7.5/10 and i think you should watch it yourself before really forming an opinion on it just listening to others. it is a fun cute decent watch esp if you loved woobin and suzy, you can atleast tune in once.
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An alright show
I expected a lot more from this iconic duo but its honestly not their fault, they both acted well and gave us another lovely performance and this time with a happy ending!! So it healed something inside of me from uncontrollably fond 😭😭I think this entire plot and concept is just…wild, to say the least.😭 It’s kinda stupid and just, half of the things that happened were just…I just kept saying out loud, ‘what the fuck is happening right?’ LMAO
Though a lot of it is covered with good humor, its gotten me to laugh a lot and I wasn’t expecting them to bounce off of each other so well for comedy bits. I honestly liked the references they made and the cameos that appeared in the show, it’s a silly show to watch when you’re bored- though it became increasingly boring throughout every episode but i stuck it out because i like the actors.
Suzy’s acting is once again top notch, I really enjoy her psychopathic roles! She deserves more shows where she shows that side of her.
And I really liked how they added a lesbian side character and didn’t make it her entire personality but also didn’t hide it either. It was genuinely nice to see a big budget show include a character like that, need that more often!!!
Yeah honestly it was a funny show and a fun concept, but I just can’t give it a higher rating than 7 because it really did become boring towards the end 😂😂 But I did like the ending tho. The last couple of episodes were a drag but the ending was nice and enjoyable. I love when they show every character and what they’re doing after the conflict is resolved once and for all.
I don’t really know if I would recommend this… I think it would be more fun to watch this with someone than alone! So get someone to watch this with and laugh together so it doesn’t grow boring in the long run!
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Be careful what you wish for...
Seeing Suzy and Won Bin together in a drama already felt like a wish granted, the visuals, the chemistry, the acting? Pure perfection. Both of them carried their roles so well that I found myself smiling through most of it. But as much as I loved the casting and concept, the story itself didn’t quite live up to its potential.The fantasy and psychopath mix was really interesting on paper, but as the episodes went on, some parts started feeling a bit half-baked. There were sub-stories that could’ve been deeper, and moments where I wished they’d slow down and explore more. Still, I love that the characters live in the grey area, not entirely good or bad, just people reacting to their circumstances. It gave the series a layer of realism amidst the fantasy.
It definitely gave me tons of laughs and a few heart squeezes, especially with the ending, finally, a happy one! I needed that healing after Uncontrollably Fond. Overall, it’s a solid watch for the chemistry and fun moments, though probably not one I’d rewatch anytime soon.
📌 Watch this if you’re into fantasy with a dash of dark humor, morally grey characters, and a cast that looks way too good to be real.
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Confusing, Aviation comercial meets Aladdin meets Korea
I honestly do not really know how to rate this or how to review it... I find the religious/cultural/Psycopath parts confusing, very confusing and not in a good way but more of a is this okay, should I be watching this with a clear conscious, should this have been made at all? Then again I loved Aladdin as a kid.I do like the leads and their characters. I like several of the side characters.
Kim Woo Bins smile and charm is worth at least 2 extra stars, and so is the look of death on Bae Suzys face. And yes I may bit a bit bias to the two.
As far as plot and drama its not really bad or anything it does have its good moments of sweet and adorable. It does have some low humour but also some decent humour here and there but it gets to be a bit draggy and is just not enough to keep me on my toes or very interested as I find the most interesting part of the plot to be how many flights between Korea and Dubai can one fit in the course of 13 episodes? As well as long for the dessert, not so much for finding a Genie but more sun and sand is so pretty. So I guess the Emirates PPL did make its way in to my mind.
If you are a fan of the leads and the makers of this show you may find yourself questioning your choices of fandom both if you choose to watch or not watch it.
As for those who are not really fans of any of the leads Id say nee, you can find better dramas in the stream...
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Every moment it cringed
The only reason I gave 5 instead of 1 is out of respect of the actors.I really was looking forward to this and had high expectations, I loved Goblin, Mr. Sunshine, Secret Garden, The Glory, A Gentleman's Dignity and I was expecting another masterpiece despite not liking Suzy.
Oh was I wrong. Disappointment wa great from episode 1.
While a good drama makes me eager to watch one more episode, for this one all I thought was : Please, no more.
The story was so badly written and boring, and many times the viewer is left wondering where exactly this wants to go .
I'm in shock the same writer of my favorite drama has written literally the worse drama I ever saw. And I saw many.
The comedy was utterly bad and cringe, one would think it was made to make toddler laugh. As result, the actors performance during comedy moments was extremely awkward and forced.
It would have been a lot better if the show had a dark, serious tone. I don't know what they were trying to create, maybe a Korean Odyssey style, but it clearly did not work.
The story was poor, the characters not developed, and you could hardly feel for them, let alone they way they fell in love in the past life ( did they? Not really much happened ) was completely rashed and anticlimactic .
The side stories felt superficial and not necessary, same as the side character, they had little to no relevance to the story and they were not developed as we are used to.
I loved every single character in Goblin and Mr. Sunshine for example here was not the case .
The "inclusive" best friend was totally awkward and out of contest, clearly put there just to please Netflix standards, and the interaction with the grand mother were uncomfortable and awkward. Seriously Wtf.
The actress of the Grandmother was a waste of talent here, same Steve Noh and Woon Bin .
I'm really sorry to say, but Suzy disappointed yet again.
No, it's not her character with no emotions, she's always like that, a robot.
More than a psychopath she seemed on sedatives and taking poses for a photoshot.
It was really hard to watch, to me she did not deliver even when she was supposed to have emotions.
The Ost was practically absent.
I really don't know what they were thinking when they wrote this drama but it certainly was a big disappointment.
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Chaos in Couture
This drama feels like watching four shows at once—fascinating, baffling, and chaotic. Entertaining, but embrace the unpredictability and let it surprise you.GENRE JUGGLING GONE WILD
The show's biggest challenge is its genre identity crisis. One moment, you’re chuckling at some dark comedy, the next you’re on the edge of your seat during a thriller sequence. Before you can settle in, it morphs into a mythical fantasy, then swerves hard into melodrama. It’s a wild mix that doesn't always transition smoothly. A huge shout-out to the actors, especially Kim Woo Bin, who navigate these abrupt tonal shifts with impressive skill, switching personas as fast as the show switches genres.
FASHION STATEMENTS OR COSTUME CONFUSION?
This sense of unpredictability extends beyond just the genre. The wardrobe department, for example, seems to have given the characters their own identity crises. Our female lead, played by Suzy and looking fabulous as ever, is a proclaimed psychopath running a repair shop in the countryside. One day she’s in a dreamy floral dress, the next a power suit, and then quiet luxury. Her incohesive styling feels more like a reflection of a multi-personality disorder than a psychopath’s quirk. The same goes for our Genie. He might appear in a preppy, Hamptons-ready Ralph Lauren look in one scene and a 90s club manager outfit in the next. The clothes are nice, but they don't help define who these people are.
HEAVENLY ROLES, EARTHLY QUESTIONS
The show's bold choices aren't limited to costumes. Casting Korean actors as characters with biblical and Arabic origins is a notable move, reminiscent of Hollywood’s ongoing debates about representation. The show gives a quick explanation, but it still raises questions about authenticity and intent. Honestly, it kind of mirrors the drama’s own identity crisis—bouncing between silly comedy and serious themes. These shifts are creative, sure, but they can feel a bit all over the place, leaving you to wonder if it all comes together or just adds to the chaos.
A VISUAL GRAB BAG
The same lack of cohesion crops up in its visual world. The settings feel like they were picked from a hat. We jump from comic book-style animations to a cheesy studio set of a desert that looks like it was borrowed from a daytime soap opera. Then, we’re thrown into a scene heavy with CGI, only to be pulled back to what looks like a slick tourism commercial. It’s visually jarring and makes it hard to feel grounded in the story.
SUBPLOTS PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK
This patchwork quality continues with the plot, which is a tangle of subplots. Some feel completely disjointed, while others disappear for several episodes only to reappear with a dramatic "ta-da, it was all connected!" It feels less like clever storytelling and more like a narrative scramble.
GRANDMA’S GREAT DISCONNECT
Even the heart of the story isn’t immune to this disconnect. Ga Yeong’s grandmother begins as a powerful presence in the story—her strength and warmth shine through evocative flashbacks, where she lovingly raises a child with a social disorder. But in the second half, everything changes: after the female lead wishes for her grandmother to become her own age, the character’s appearance and personality shift so drastically that it becomes hard to bridge the emotional gap. The two versions feel worlds apart, and this disconnect ultimately weakens the story’s emotional core.
THE IKEA EFFECT OF STORYTELLING
Overall, 'Genie, Make a Wish' is a tough show to connect with on a deeper level. It’s a beautiful, chaotic mess. But if you’re looking for pure entertainment and can switch off your brain, it’s a fun, unpredictable ride. Just don't ask too many questions and go with the flow. Watching this show is like assembling IKEA furniture without the manual—confusing, occasionally frustrating, and far from perfect, but not a bad experience overall.
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