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.
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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