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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One of the funniest CDramas, such a Creative Story
Oh wow. This show was hilarious. I have not watched a Cdrama where I laughed as much out loud as I did with this one. It was hard to believe that landi Lin is not beautiful but I understand the concept and where they were going as someone who also was never viewed as beautiful growing up. This story begins and continues with nothing but misunderstandings, some hilarious, some quite torturous of the ML.Don’t go into this show looking for reality.. this show is just pure fantasy and fun. It’s also very funny. There were also periods where I was grinning so much my mouth hurt.
I loved the second couple in this drama, I loved their relationship and how cute they were. I loved the way they talked too.
Overall, I loved their creativity of this show. It’s definitely something different fun cute and enjoyable. There were periods where I was like, ok I’m ready to move on from the constant misunderstandings but the overall concept and story was so good. Highly recommend!
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Great Epic production. Loved the 2nd leads
The Long Ballad is an epic historical drama that delivers on all fronts: a compelling story, fantastic acting, and stunning production. The show masterfully weaves together political intrigue, warfare, and a deep, emotional character journey.While the main leads, Dilraba Dilmurat and Leo Wu, deliver exceptional performances, the supporting cast truly shines. The on-screen chemistry and complex relationship between the second leads, played by Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning, are a definite highlight. Their character development is a journey you won't want to miss.
One of the show's biggest strengths is its focus on character growth. Each character, from the main protagonist to the supporting cast, undergoes a significant transformation. You get to see them evolve and mature as they face challenges, which makes their stories feel rich and authentic. The drama's high-quality production, from the beautiful cinematography to the elaborate costumes and sets, adds another layer of depth, making it a must-watch for any fan of the genre.
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Great chemistry, exciting but lots of red flags and triggers
This is a mini series with short exciting episodes, about 15 minutes long each. I watched it all in one day. It kept my attention with great chemistry,, exciting story, and I think good acting. But, every episode has red flags and triggers, so beware. It's definitely a dark drama that's like a dramatic soap opera but it's really good! If you like dark dramas with red flags this is for you!Was this review helpful to you?
Fate is evil or is it?
Fate is evil or is it? Moral of this show - You can't change fate or can you?Wow. The writing in this story was just amazing. The twists and turns and how it all connected and came together. The OSR was amazing and really fit what was happening on the screen. The leads were amazing as well. There were some slow parts but the story and acting kept me watching and rarely fast forwarding. Watch this one! One of the best dramas of 2025 so far, for sure.
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