K-Drama 
The male lead he was brilliant
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Wasted opportunity
Genie, Make a Wish had all the makings of a captivating K-drama: a star-studded cast featuring Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy, a script by acclaimed writer Kim Eun-sook, and a premise that promised magic, mystery, and romance. I personally had very high expectations. I watched a new K-drama after long time. However, the series ultimately falls short of expectations.
The storyline revolves around Iblis (Kim Woo-bin), a Satanic genie, and Ki Ka-young (Bae Suzy), a woman devoid of emotions. Their interactions are meant to explore themes of love, humanity, and redemption. Yet, the narrative often feels disjointed, with scenes that seem randomly placed and a pacing that struggles to maintain engagement.
Iblis's character is particularly problematic. Initially portrayed as a cynical and mischievous genie, his personality fluctuates erratically throughout the series. This inconsistency makes it challenging for viewers to connect with him or understand his motivations.
Despite the script's shortcomings, the lead actors deliver commendable performances. Kim Woo-bin brings depth to Iblis's complex character, and Bae Suzy effectively portrays Ka-young's emotional journey. However, even their strong performances can't fully compensate for the narrative's flaws.
Fans of fantasy romances may find some enjoyment, but the series ultimately doesn't live up to its promising premise.
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suzy steals the show!
if I were scoring based on the plot, I would have given 7.5. because to be frank, the plot was a bit haphazard. but my overall score goes to a 9 because of Susie Bae. wow, not only was her acting fantastic whether comedy or tragedy, whether speaking or not, but she was absolutely gorgeous. from innocent pretty to sexy hot. easily the best performance I have seen from her. anyway back to the show. the side characters were great. The locations were also excellent. in most kdramas I fast forward quite a bit, but in this one I did not. also, the cameo by Song Hye- Kyu was fantastic. You want chemistry? her and Suzy's scenes together were brilliant. more please.Was this review helpful to you?
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Nice
I don't hate it, but Korean dramas can do better. Like the world building and stuff can be better and more complex like we don't know heaven and stuff or god why bow to a human? what changes when you do that? Before this drama aired I though about what wishes I would make and this is what I came up with:1. To know everything in the universe.
2. To experience everything.
3. To create and shape reality.
So her making a similar wish was cute. And as always suzy was always slaying her looks. I wanna be pretty like her.
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A chaotic mess, a surprising gem
The return of Suzy and Kim Woo Bin. A duo that once made headlines in uncontrollably fond and remains a fan favorite pairing even to this day. While that particular drama may have had it's issues, it evidently crafted a dynamic so popular it warranted a second go at it. Did the pair succeed in recapturing the same allure that justified their renewed pairing?Well, to start with, the story is an absolute mess, but it's highly entertaining. Which means that according to any self proclaimed critic I've just committed the ultimate sin; subjective scoring.
I'm not just bringing that up in a vain attempt to sound witty but because this is one of those shows where it's very easy to grade it low and call it a day. I've learned over the past decade that a great show is not always one that tells the greatest story. Korean drama's in particular aim to invoke emotions in you. They do not (usually) aim to tell an oscar worthy story.
This doesn't necessarily mean criticism of the writing of any drama is unwarranted, but that I do not find it to be the most important aspect of a good drama.
This drama is elevated to something really quite special by just two things;
- The believable portrayal of a psychopathic main character.
- A charismatic duo that justified it's existence by strong acting chops, chemistry and camera charisma.
Let me get one thing straight; I absolutely have not and will not research psychopathic behavior to ascertain the accuracy of Genie's portrayal of one. We all know what a stereotypical psychopath is. Genie however aims to tell a different kind of story from the stereotypical. One that, in order to criticize or praise, one would need extensive knowledge about.
I only care about the believability of it. If it's managed to sell me on that then it's a good portrayal to me.
I'm sure a psychologist could analyze this show and find faults in the portrayal but that's not my job nor my desire to care about.
I found the idea that a whole village comes together to quote unquote raise a psychopath into a functioning adult to be highly compelling. Unfortunately the show doesn't go into too much detail about this, but we see the results. We see what it takes for Gayoung to live a life resembling normalcy and the struggle. She often remarks that life is boring. She engages in activities that place her in proximity of death as she's pretty much passively suicidal throughout the entire show. On top of that she actively enjoys the idea of getting hurt or dying as this seems to invoke a strong feeling in her.
I have to shout out Suzy's acting here. She really brought this character to life and she was perfectly cast for this role as it requires a specific type of acting. The way she changed the tone of her voice and articulation was a great touch as well.
This is one of those roles that on the surface might seem like anyone could do because of the lack of expressions required but in reality it's the micro expressions that sell the performance, and Suzy nails it.
I really only think someone like Seo Yea Ji could do a comparable, if not better job but Suzy delivers and shows everyone that she's far different from who she was in earlier works such as Uncontrollably Fond and Gu Family Book.
The whole drama is pure entertainment and especially the first two episodes were an incredible entry to the show. I'd give the combination of those two episodes a 10/10. The show didn't quite keep up that level of quality but it awkwardly weaved in scenes of people making wishes, the unraveling of multiple factions and the really fun scenes of Gayoung being herself or interacting with Genie. Not all of it was done all that well and many times I was a bit lost on what we were actually doing as the scene transitions are really awkward sometimes. That being said it all sort of comes together by the end of it and it has a couple fun and clever uses of foreshadowing, which is something I always appreciate.
I'd have to say the romance aspect was a bit off. It's going to be hard to write a believable romance involving a psychopath.
The show opted for a ''don't tell, don't show'' approach with this. No, seriously, we just don't know why Gayoung wants to be with Genie. She doesn't love Genie (she can't), she doesn't say she likes or loves him (she'd be lying) and she's still constantly trying to hurt him physically (it's played up for jokes but still). I figured what was presumably her first kiss was a new and different sensation that she latched on to, which is why she was so adamant about kissing him again but that's really all I have and the show has for us.
Ultimately Genie, make a wish is a technically flawed show that compensates for that with highly skilled acting and one of the more intriguing leads in recent drama history.
It probably doesn't deserve this high of a score, but I believe it warrants it for the experience it gave me, even if it was flawed.
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Best Drama Of 2025
I can't say enough good things about this drama. The ML and FL are both fantastic, as is all the actors in this drama. The humor had me LOL in each episode. It is a quirky take on The Bible story about Satan and the story of Aladdin. It is not yet revealed if the ML is truly Shaytan ((Satan) or if the guy with wings will actually be the bad guy. That is purely my thoughts and not the actual facts of this drama. The 3 immortal brothers have been revealed, but Christ, the Archangel and the Genie seem pretty evident. I think surprises will have us all go "aha"! This drama will keep your attention throughout this series. So many fun and funny exchanges between characters without being slapstick that keeps you watching. You can watch this on Netflix in English, but I prefer to hear their actual voices and read subtitles.Was this review helpful to you?
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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Great Performances, Confusing Storytelling
The actors in “Genie, Make a Wish” were truly outstanding. Each performance felt sincere and full of emotion. The main story itself was also quite strong and had a lot of potential. However, the way it was told often made it hard to follow. Some scenes jumped too quickly from one event to another, and the transitions between fantasy and reality were sometimes unclear.Even though the concept was interesting, the confusing storytelling made it difficult to stay fully engaged. With better structure and clearer direction, it could have been an amazing series instead of a slightly frustrating one.
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Watch it without any expectations then it’s entertaining!
Geo-politics is always interesting to decipher in pop culture. I begin with this statement purely because of the extreme difference in opinions regarding the ‘supposed controversy’.One of my biggest take-aways from the first few episodes was, “damn! Korea and UAE are really amping up their collaboration game!” First with BTS’ JK performance, a steady rise in good quality influencers on either side of the planet, PSJ-CWS-PHS ad campaign and now a massive Netflix production with top stars (even the ones in cameo roles)!
Next few episodes I realized I should not look for plot holes or be disappointed by what was unfolding, cause it really felt like the scriptwriters didn't want it to be a very serious work of art either. With that out of the way, I started enjoying the Drama with all it’s comic punches.
They promised a Genie who was bumbling around in 2025 and Kim Woo Bin rolled with the character quite chaotically, all the while looking very fetching. ✅ They promised an unfeeling psychopathic female lead and Bae Suzy seemed like a perfect cast (Doona/Anna have already shown us she’s capable of playing such characters). And she delivers in style! ✅
Mythology is a very fav subject and genre of mine and I loved how they fused two very different cultural backgrounds into an entertaining story that’s completely believable as a kdramaland product - the feels, the vibes, the glam, a tasty bibimbap with lots of different things thrown in!
Personally, a tighter plot with less side stories would have been great along with more development in the original connection between the two nations. But that wasn’t the agenda, hence i’m not complaining at all.
If people accepted a sparkling Robert Pattinson vampire in Twilight, I'm absolutely not questioning a Genie called Iblis who makes you question why we are all rooting for ‘Satan’ who is clearly a very grey zone entity.
Let’s not turn everything in a religious battle OR expect commercial hits to win any critics awards.
Entertainment is sometimes, just for entertaining the masses. And that, I think, this drama managed to achieve in an acceptable capacity.
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Overall I experienced the whole gamut of emotions the show was selling. I laughed hard, felt giddy with joy, and was moved to tears. One of the best shows for me this year in terms of pure entertainment value. Chaotic, hilarious and moving are the keywords for this drama.
P.S: Even though I don't speak Arabic, I could tell the accents were not great. Wish they dubbed the Arabic for authenticity. But since my untrained ears could easily tune them out, it did not reduce my enjoyment of the show. They attempted something novel and unique, how successful that is will be a very subjective experience for each viewer.
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