This review may contain spoilers
Charisma, Chaos, and Kim Woo Bin Carrying the Vibes
đź“ť Review
(WARNING: Potential Spoilers — I’m Not Saving You from Any Emotional Damage)
I already know this opinion won’t be universal, but here it is anyway: I enjoyed this drama—even if it didn’t fully come together.
Let’s talk about Bae Suzy—because this isn’t a hate take, it’s a typecasting one. She’s excellent at what she does, but she’s often written into emotionally stunted or closed-off roles, and after a while, the pattern becomes noticeable.
That’s exactly why While You Were Sleeping worked so well for me. She wasn’t emotionally distant there—she was expressive, reactive, and fully engaged, even when the premise put her under psychological strain. It felt different. It felt alive.
In Genie, Make a Wish, though, the character leans back into familiar territory. Suzy plays it well—she always does—but at this point, I just want to see her given something that lets her stretch beyond the same emotional framework. She’s clearly capable of it.
Now—Kim Woo Bin.
Chef’s kiss. No notes.
He absolutely understood the assignment. His comedic timing, facial expressions, and overall presence injected energy into every scene he was in. The humor landed because he landed it. Also: yes, I noticed the Heirs easter egg, and yes, I appreciated it. And let’s not ignore the styling—shoulder-length hair Kim Woo Bin? Fire. Completely unfair. Moving on.
As for the story itself… it’s a bit all over the place. The premise is fun, the emotional beats are there, but the execution doesn’t always feel cohesive. Some threads could’ve been tighter, and a few ideas felt like they deserved more focus. That said, it was never boring—it just occasionally felt like it was juggling more than it could comfortably hold.
Bonus points for the soundtrack, especially the Stray Kids track, which instantly elevated the mood whenever it kicked in.
In the end, Genie, Make a Wish is imperfect but enjoyable. Strong performances (especially from Kim Woo Bin), good humor, and enough charm to carry it through its weaker moments.
đź’ Final Mood
“Messy but fun, occasionally frustrating, and absolutely carried by one very charismatic genie.”
(WARNING: Potential Spoilers — I’m Not Saving You from Any Emotional Damage)
I already know this opinion won’t be universal, but here it is anyway: I enjoyed this drama—even if it didn’t fully come together.
Let’s talk about Bae Suzy—because this isn’t a hate take, it’s a typecasting one. She’s excellent at what she does, but she’s often written into emotionally stunted or closed-off roles, and after a while, the pattern becomes noticeable.
That’s exactly why While You Were Sleeping worked so well for me. She wasn’t emotionally distant there—she was expressive, reactive, and fully engaged, even when the premise put her under psychological strain. It felt different. It felt alive.
In Genie, Make a Wish, though, the character leans back into familiar territory. Suzy plays it well—she always does—but at this point, I just want to see her given something that lets her stretch beyond the same emotional framework. She’s clearly capable of it.
Now—Kim Woo Bin.
Chef’s kiss. No notes.
He absolutely understood the assignment. His comedic timing, facial expressions, and overall presence injected energy into every scene he was in. The humor landed because he landed it. Also: yes, I noticed the Heirs easter egg, and yes, I appreciated it. And let’s not ignore the styling—shoulder-length hair Kim Woo Bin? Fire. Completely unfair. Moving on.
As for the story itself… it’s a bit all over the place. The premise is fun, the emotional beats are there, but the execution doesn’t always feel cohesive. Some threads could’ve been tighter, and a few ideas felt like they deserved more focus. That said, it was never boring—it just occasionally felt like it was juggling more than it could comfortably hold.
Bonus points for the soundtrack, especially the Stray Kids track, which instantly elevated the mood whenever it kicked in.
In the end, Genie, Make a Wish is imperfect but enjoyable. Strong performances (especially from Kim Woo Bin), good humor, and enough charm to carry it through its weaker moments.
đź’ Final Mood
“Messy but fun, occasionally frustrating, and absolutely carried by one very charismatic genie.”
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