Reviews

Riveting and atmospheric crime drama

--Review Dump--

I watched this a year ago and didn't get to writing the review, so just dumping my previous thoughts here.

- Pleasantly surprised by this show, particularly the cinematography and acting. The long lost brother story and how that was resolved was surprisingly emotional. The twists and ending in the was also well crafted. There were some cheesy moments where the suave action stretched believability, but overall the show was quite grounded and polished. Impressed with some of the younger actors that I'm seeing for the first time. There are also some great performances by the veterans.
- Johnny Huang - I was expecting a hotshot bro with limited expressions and range, since Johnny seems to be a mainstay in idol action dramas. But I've been pleasantly surprised. I can see him being cast in mostly the same brolly role and playing the same type of characters, but he's a pretty good fit and holds down the ML role next to some very solid veteran actors. It's easy to be too brolly in his role, so I'm glad he's also bringing enough subtlety and emotional depth.
- Wang Ziqi - Never seen his show, don't know his reputation. Same as Johnny, doing well to reflect the layers in his character that could easily be made too one-dimensional and stiff.
- Chloe Xie Keyin - Very impressed with her performance. Not necessarily because she's out-acting the others above, but because her primary career seems to be rapper/musician and she's had very limited acting experience. Her role has a lot of kick-ass action scenes and she's delivering the kinetic force to make it look real. Had previously seen her in a young actor competition show where she excelled, hoping to see more of her as she seems to be a natural and quick study.
- Zhang Yu - Dude is 42 so he's been around for a while. But he's playing Johnny Huang's younger bro here so I'm including him here. This is a challenging role and he's kicking ass with it. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised as he seems to mostly do movies instead of pleb TV shows.

--Category Ratings--

- Overall - 8.2
- Plot - 8
- Theme / Concept / Impact - 8.5
- Acting - 8.3
- Visuals - 8.5
- Audio / Music - 8
- Rewatch - 7.5
- Cultural/Topical Accessibility - 8
- Subtitle quality - 8.5

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Bae Suzy is amazing!

The drama could've been 8 episodes, the writing was great except the filler episodes were exactly that, if you miss them, you didn't miss much. Could've done without the lesbian love interest, (once you get the context, you understand). I think if they were going to do filler episodes, they could've given us more about the wishers.

Bae Suzy is the star (I could be biased) trying to not spoil anything but she did the role justice. I will say the growth of her character is written well.

I highly recommend this if you're a Bae Suzy fan arguably her best work. I recommend if you are interested in romcoms, this is one of the better dramas in the genre this year.

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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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a cute fluff!

This is my 3rd KBL that I really enjoyed!

I’ll be frank, but I feel the end was kinda rushed (but why do I expect drama with the adaptation of a manhwa with many chapters? 🤡)

The songs were so good and the acting was fantastic… Choi Siyeol is so handsome, and his voice 😭🙏🏻 is amazing.

I honestly wanted more screen time for the second couple 😭 they actually looked so good…

The plot was amazing as always, it was very comforting and fluff bl. I felt that there was no awkwardness between the actors starring in the drama and they actually looked so damn good😭

Kevin, I love u 🥹

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WISH GRANTED, CHAOS DELIVERED!

***DISCLAIMER: THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. YOU DON’T HAVE TO AGREE AND I’M NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH ANYONE.***

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OVERVIEW:

Genie, Make A Wish is a fractured fairytale full of chaos, romance, comedy, and surprisingly deep emotion. It is basically about a young woman deemed a psychopath, completely devoid of any emotion, whose life is suddenly turned upside down when a 1000+ year-old genie shows up threatening to kill her.

The story follows Ka Young a mere human and Iblis, a mischievous and “evil” genie obsessed with proving humans are corrupt. Their wild, messy journey twists through wishes, secret mysteries, complicated feelings, and yes, a surprisingly intense love story. Fans of My Demon and under supernatural dramas will recognize the same mix of emotional pain, supernatural intrigue, and morally grey characters. I came for the reunited onscreen pairing, stayed for the magic and chaos, and was left wanting way more.

The best way to describe it? Aladdin meets Lucifer, a crossover where wishes, divine rules, and forbidden romance collide.

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COMMENTARY (SPOILERS AHEAD!) :

• Initial Thoughts

The first three episodes hooked me instantly. The pacing, tension, and setup were perfect. The chemistry between Iblis and Ka Young was explosive, even though their backstory was heartbreaking. They gave off ill-fated lovers vibes, like their souls belonged together.

Their dynamic was very much enemies to lovers. Ka Young constantly gave him a hard time and he loved it. Every time she kicked, fought, or beat him up, I was dying laughing. They are so silly, literally losers in love and I adore them.

The show balanced intense, somber moments with lighthearted fluff. Beneath all the magic, it hits deep about love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. It’s also about choices, showing how even as a human or supernatural being you get to decide who you want to be. Iblis, through loving Ka Young, changed his ways, finally bowing to a human and appreciating the fragility and bliss of life. Being with her across lifetimes felt like the epitome of soulmatism.


• Themes & Character Depth

The drama portrayed how different people respond to being granted three wishes. Some were consumed by greed and abused their power, forgetting what truly mattered, like family and love, while others realized they were happy with how their life was before or showed repentance for their previous sins. The show’s message was clear: greed destroys, but love redeems. You can’t alter the past, but you can make choices that shape a better future.

Ka Young herself embodied that message. Her life was rough, and her antisocial personality disorder acted like armor, shielding her from the full weight of abandonment and pain from her mother. No child deserves to be discarded for being different. Over time, her dark humor and constant threats became endearing because you could tell she would never truly cross the lines her grandma set. Ka Young’s conscious decision to continue learning and trying to be better, studying emotions and facial cues, following routines, and trying to stay calm for her grandma, touched my heart. Their relationship was one of the sweetest and most grounded aspects of the drama.

Pan Geum and Mi Ju’s story was heartbreaking in its own right. When Pan Geum became young again and heard what the villagers said about Ka Young, it crushed her. She was the only one who loved her granddaughter unconditionally despite her differences. That’s why she accepted Iblis so quickly. She knew he would stand by and love her granddaughter no matter what, and that brought the story full circle.


• Love & Loss

Ahn Eun Jin was perfect as young Pan Geum. She captured the same essence as Kim Mi Kyung and I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else. The budding romance between Min Ji and young Pan Geum / Mi Ju was a little odd, but also sweet. I feel the show didn't really push the romance and made it one sided like an innocent crush. Was it unnecessary? A bit however, Min Ji was none the wiser so I just took it as her falling in love with a stranger… when she did come to know though I felt bad.

The scene where Pan Geum finally died hit hard but I was annoyed that Ka Young didn’t weep then. I guess everyone grieves differently, and we need to remember that Ka Young’s go-to mechanism is not feeling anything. Even though she had tears well up in her eyes at the thought of losing Iblis, in my opinion it was like she couldn’t bring herself to believe her grandma was really gone. She was trying to cope while also just generally being her emotionally numb self. We finally saw the extent of her being unable to express her emotions and repressing them in as she breaks down in the desert before dying too. In a way, I found it ironic because her intention was always to die along with her grandma, and in that regard, she got her wish. But as it turned out, her grandma wished her another life, and she got reincarnated which to me was the best possible ending for the couple. I only wish the grandma came back in some form as well.


• Performance Highlights

Suzy absolutely slayed in this role, she ate and left no crumbs. She was phenomenal as Ka Young, effortlessly embodying the stoic, ice-cold, almost expressionless vibe of a character who is hard to read yet completely captivating. Her character was meant to be stoic and detached, but in very small the moments she let her guard down, it was clear there was an actual person beneath the personality disorder, someone still capable of "caring" deep deep down and trying to protect her friend(s) and family. Those glimpses were beautiful and felt entirely authentic.

Her acting landed perfectly. I loved the scene where Iblis shocked her by taking charge and kissing her back, seeing the subtle shock on her face was everything. Additionally, the scenes of her beating up Iblis and threatening the bad guys had me dying. She seems so frail but has this insane energy that makes those moments hilarious. Her outfits were always on point, matching her character’s cool, untouchable aura. She is a visual who owns every frame she is in. For me, her performance here surpasses her previous projects. She brought a grounded authenticity to Ka Young, never overplaying charm or forcing emotions, yet leaving you completely charmed by every scene.

Woo Bin was such a delight to watch in this role. I finally got to see his sassy and funny side, which was a refreshing change from the more stoic, reserved characters he usually plays similar to roles like Ka Young. His timing and delivery were impeccable, and the way he expressed humor and subtle sarcasm made him instantly charming without ever feeling forced. It was fun to see him lean into this lighter, more expressive side while still keeping moments of depth when the story called for it. For me, it showed a versatility that I hadn’t fully appreciated in his previous roles, and it made his character incredibly engaging and memorable.

The scene where Iblis tried on different outfits had me laughing hysterically, I even had to replay it. Seeing him dressed up as Choi Young Do from The Heirs was such a trip down memory lane and honestly was not on my bingo card. The fact that Woo Bin still looks almost the same after 11 years is crazy. Then there’s the moment when she punches him in the face, which was just as hilarious. They’re truly so silly together, and their dynamic deserves to be cherished. They definitely give grumpy², but she brings out his fun side and softens him whenever they’re together. The scenes after their first kiss were also adorable, especially when Ka Young kept tracking him down just because she wanted to kiss him again.


• Chemistry

The chemistry between Woo Bin and Suzy was absolutely electric and I found myself giggling and kicking my feet quite often anytime they'd interact. Their interactions crackle with tension, humor, and vulnerability, making even the smallest gestures feel full of emotion. Ka Young isn’t really one for emotions or affection, which made the moments she did show them all the more powerful. Every time she hugged him, I melted a little. The scene where it seemed like she almost had tears in her eyes, her eyes red at the thought of losing him, was genuinely touching.

Suzy did well in the intense moments and also the funny lighthearted ones. Woo Bin matched her perfectly, balancing charm, wit, and tenderness, creating a dynamic that felt natural and entertaining. Whether they are bickering, teasing, or sharing quiet moments under the stars, the sparks between them are undeniable. Their energy elevates every scene, drawing the viewer in and making even the lighter, comedic moments feel meaningful. The tension, warmth, and understated vulnerability in their relationship are what make their connection so compelling and memorable, truly the emotional heartbeat of the series.


• Past Lives & Sacrifice

The past life backstory between Iblis and Ka Young was heartbreaking. Woo Bin nailed every expression, you could feel and see the pain in his eyes. I got déjà vu watching him suffer again like in Uncontrollably Fond. But finally, they got their happy ending. Seeing them be reunited and have a happy ending in this drama / life highkey healed me.

The sacrifice of Min Ji making her last wish knowing she would forget Ka Young but making it so she would be able to live out her dreams, was bittersweet. I only wished Min Ji had said, “I hope you reunite with the ones* you miss,” instead of “the one you miss,” so she could remain in Ka Young’s life despite the rule that after the final wish, the wisher forgets everything. I wish they had included this loophole or something.

The only relief was seeing Min Ji going back to the desert in Dubai to watch the genies waltz years later. Behind the swirling sands, seeing Iblis and Ka Young dancing again was adorable, and of course, he’s still stepping on her toes after all this time.


• Highs and Lows: Where they (almost) lost me

Somewhere in the middle, the drama lost me a little. Making the genie out to be Satan felt over the top. The dynamic between Iblis and Ejllael reminded me of Lucifer with the fallen angel, brother conflict, and heaven versus hell storyline. Ejllael was lowkey hot and that made it hard for me to hate him.

One thing that annoyed me was how everyone could just suddenly enter Iblis’ lamp. There was no mechanism to decide who could enter or exit. As long as you were a supernatural or had a supernatural being bring you in, you could basically walk in. Don’t even get me started on Khalid also being able to get in too… that pissed me off.

Additionally, Shadi’s storyline with his son Khalid, a half-spirit, half-human child who endured illness then became immortal through body / soul swapping and sought even more control, and power felt drawn out and frustrating. The revelation of the decrepit old man behind the child’s body was shocking / terrifying and darkly humorous, adding a surreal twist to the narrative. Khalid’s relentless havoc, manipulative nature, and pure envy made him a character I couldn’t wait to see meet his end. When this tiny terror was finally was killed by Iblis, I couldn’t help but cheer. This messy father-son dynamic, steeped in supernatural elements and moral ambiguity, added depth to the story, highlighting themes of power, identity, envy, greed and the human desire for control.


• Flaws & Missteps

The biggest flaw or downfall of this drama, in my opinion, was how much lore it tried to cram in. Angels, demons, shapeshifters, gods, all at once. I really liked Sade and Irem, their shapeshifting had genuine potential, but so much of the storytelling got lost along the way. The wish logic was inconsistent as well. Every time someone made a wish, there was always one person who remembered, like the old lady who recalled her daughter’s past life, or Halmoni Pan Geum becoming young and turning into Mi Ju, only for someone else to piece it together and use it against her. At times, it just felt like there was too much going on, which made it hard to fully follow or invest in the story. I can understand why some people gave up. You really had to pay close attention to certain scenes to keep up, or it was easy to get confused.


• Visuals & Sound

The cinematography was stunning and captured the feeling essence of the village life, the beauty of Dubai as well as the magic of it all. The cherry blossom scenes were definitely my favorite not to mention the stargazing moments where it seemed like they were the only two people on earth.

On the other hand, I do think the fight sequences between Iblis and Ejllael had some wonky CGI, but honestly, that was part of the fun for me. It added a layer of humor and kept things lighthearted. I mean, everything can’t be perfect, and i just accepted the drama for what it was… flaws and all.

The OST was amazing, especially Lover by Ha Hyung Sang, Your Other Name by Kwon Jin Ah, and A Night Full of You by Suzy, which perfectly captured the melancholic yet hopeful tone of the series.


• Controversy

Some viewers have raised concerns about the use of the name “Iblis,” which in Islamic scripture is a jinn who refused to bow to Adam and was cast out of Heaven. I understand why that could feel uncomfortable or even offensive to some. I do think it came across as careless and insensitive to their religion to use that name when they could’ve easily chosen something else. I’ve also seen people say the drama was “romanticizing Satan,” but I personally I didn’t see it that way while watching. The story focuses on a genie (not the literal devil) and the name “Iblis” seems to have been used more as a cultural reference since the setting ties to the Middle East. I would say it’s similar to how other adaptations like Aladdin have drawn from the same folklore.

I am not Muslim, so I approached it like I usually do with fantasy-heavy dramas like My Demon and Doom At Your service. I tried to keep an open mind and separating my own beliefs from the story. That helped me focus more on the plot and the characters’ personal and collective journeys rather than the religious implications. Still, I think anyone who’s sensitive to those themes should do a little research first so they know what to expect.


• Suggested Audience

I would recommend this drama especially to those who enjoyed My Demon. That one missed the mark a bit and didn’t make sense for me because the mortal/immortal situation would have prevented a real relationship. Here, both characters eventually become immortal since Ka Young is reincarnated as a genie. They can finally be together without the suffering. My only gripe is no final kiss before they dispersed to fulfill their daily genie wishes but maybe I’m just greedy.

The ending was hopeful and happy, so anyone who was wondering can rest easy.


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FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall, I give this drama a solid 8/10. Genie, Make a Wish was flawed, messy, and chaotic, but also endearing, and the ending left me happy for the most part. It made me laugh, swoon, and even tear up. By the resolution, I felt like I, like Ka Young, went through the five stages of grief—feeling the heartache, joy, and a little magic all rolled into one. Honestly, my younger self would never believe the day would come where the Uncontrollably Fond couple would reunite and finally get their happy ending. It was truly sweet seeing their journey come full circle.

NB: This drama definitely won’t be for everyone so tread carefully. Luckily for me it was entertaining and ended up being right up my alley.

Once again, this is just my opinion and I never intend to offend anyone who thinks differently.


Thanks for reading & happy watching!
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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Why all the hate?

Im not sure why there's so much hate for this show. I'm not saying it was perfect but it was a pretty good show overall.

The story/plot was fresh take on the reincarnation trope, and pretty easy to follow. Not everything has to be deep and overly complicated. It was a great light hearted comedy that wasn't too corny or cringe.

It was funny, quirky, and a little dark. I loved the chemistry between Bea Suzy and Kim Woo-Bin (pretty good kissing scenes too). The side characters were fun and made the story more enjoyable. The ending was a little sad but "realistic" and satisfying.

Overall I can see myself rewatching in the future.

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Fun Watch

I went into this with no expectations, given the reviews were really negative. however upon watching the first few episodes, I was really hooked. I don’t think I’ve ever cackled this much at a kdrama, it was truly entertaining.

however it did come with some flaws, in episode 12, I felt the story started to become dragged, 12 and 13 felt like filler episodes and watching them made me feel like I wasted my time.

the acting was phenomenal, the cast was just right. the portrayals of each character was such a chefs kiss, especially Ahn Eun Jin, I don’t know how but she just nailed it so well. not to mention Suzy, her acting has came a long way, and she’s improved so much compared to her older works.

overall a very entertaining watch, but the plot towards the end was disappointing. don’t listen to the reviews and give it a watch!!

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A completely Devilish and evil Genie falls for a lump of clay he thought he hated!

Well, I must say I absolutely, thoroughly enjoyed watching ep 11 which is the best episode out of all episodes if this drama!
I especially was very mych carried away and moved by the way the Genie , Iblis cries bloods of river while holding the dead heroine in his arms, and taking out the entire city at the same time! I always rewatch that scene! That moment is so intense! I never thought such devastating despair and sadness could mesmerize me like this!
Overall, it's just ok, but watch out for episode 11. It's the best! The setting and wra is exotically ancient too! And I live genie Iblis' entire look and hairstyle in that episode too!
It's their second meeting which feels like their first and the best if all their interactions and encounters so far! 😍The entire episode is like an epic poem!
Everyone must watch episode 11! Don't miss it for anything!

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Appreciate it for the history....

Genuinely, the only reason I watched SOTUS was because it's GMM's first series with a leading gay couple. I felt like with all the GMM series I watch, I needed to go back to the beginning. So while I understand how important this series was when it came out in 2016, that doesn't mean that it's still good in 2025.

This show focuses much more around the ideas of SOTUS - the hierarchical values of the engineering school - than it does the romance. And frankly, the romance kinda frustrated me the whole show. Not to mention, this was DEFINITELY not an anti-hazing show. While there were moments where I felt like it was leaning that way, it definitely did not end with that message! In fact, parts of it felt....pro-hazing??? Weird take, but even getting past that, I don't love the whole "falling in love with someone who bullied you" trope. While Arthit isn't necessarily a direct bully of Kong, he definitely still bullies him along with the other first years.

Like I said, I'm sure if you watched this in 2016, it was great. If you're considering watching this in 2025.......I wouldn't. Unless you really like KristSingto, or you're curious about GMM's earlier work (and how much they've improved), I wouldn't watch this one.

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English and Portuguese Review

𝐅𝐮𝐧
If you think “My Girlfriend Is a Real Man” is some kind of BL, I’m already warning you that you’re going to be disappointed.

Even so, the experience was really fun. The cinematography has a cozy atmosphere, and the overall production gives a light, easy-to-follow feeling. The characters are extremely charismatic—even the ones who were made for us to dislike end up having something that stops you from completely hating them.

The drama balances humor and emotional moments really well, and you can genuinely feel what the characters are going through in the more serious scenes. There are several romantic misunderstandings, and pretty much everyone, at some point, seems to develop some kind of connection, which makes all those little messes even more entertaining to watch.

My score is only not a 10 because of a secondary couple that didn’t catch my attention as much as the rest.

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𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐨
Se você acha que "My Girlfriend Is a Real Man", é algum tipo de BL, já aviso que vai se decepcionar.

Mesmo assim, a experiência foi muito divertida. A fotografia tem um clima aconchegante e a produção passa uma sensação leve de acompanhar. Os personagens são extremamente carismáticos, até mesmo aqueles que foram feitos pra gente não gostar tanto acabam tendo algo que impede de odiar completamente.

O drama equilibra bem o humor com momentos mais emocionais, e dá pra sentir de verdade o que os personagens estão passando nas cenas mais sérias. Há várias confusões amorosas, e praticamente todo mundo, em algum momento, parece acabar criando algum tipo de vínculo, o que torna essas trapalhadas, algo ainda mais engraçado de acompanhar.

Minha nota só não é 10 por conta de um casal secundário que não me prendeu tanto quanto o resto.

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"The crazy one is here!"

Evil Cat was one of those bonkers Hong Kong horror flicks from the 1980s. It never took itself too seriously while also taking the horror elements completely seriously, even when a cat demon was involved.

Master Cheung is dying of liver cancer and residing in an assisted living home. When an excavation crew digs too deeply and ignores the blue glowing light and lightning bolts spewing from a heavy coffin sealed with a talisman, all hell is about to break out. Knowing what has been set loose, Cheung sets out to destroy a cat demon for the final time. His family of Taoists have fought the demon for 8 generations. Now it is his turn. The only problem is that his clock is ticking down and he has no male heir to pass the Mao Shan magic onto. Into his life stumbles Long who is a chauffeur for the rich Fan. When Fan becomes possessed by the cat demon and targets Long, Cheung takes the driver as a disciple to carry on the family tradition.

Lau Kar Leung, one of my favorite old school martial arts directors played the dying Master Cheung. He was also the MAD for this film. Mark Cheng was the erratic Long who waffled back and forth over whether to take on the job of being responsible for killing the demon if Cheung died. Joann Tang played Cheung’s reporter daughter Siu Chuen who thought her dad’s magic was an eccentric hobby. And Wong Jing rounded out the main cast as the lecherous and annoying Inspector "Handsome" Wu.

The movie was actually better than I thought it would be. I feared it would devolve into slapstick comedy. While there were humorous moments, the cat demon ripped its way through human bodies, tearing off arms, heads, and just about anything else it could get its claws or fangs on. Director Dennis Yu must have ordered vats of red KY jelly from Buckets O’ Blood, as the crimson liquid flowed freely and often. The stakes ended up being all too real, even when the special effects made the experience rather campy. The cat demon possessed humans giving them super strength and durability, so if you are looking for a real feline it would be a disappointment.

What I learned from Evil Cat: If you dig up a coffin with blue glowing lights and a talisman attached---DON’T OPEN IT! If you see blue lights in a dark office building---run the other way! If you have the shot to kill a creature that is about to become invincible and immortal, you take it even if the demon is inhabiting a beautiful woman. Do not let the doubting daughter tag along when she doesn’t understand what is at stake. Finally, never a tie a woman, even an annoying prostitute to a pole and leave her out in the middle of nowhere.

If you watch a lot of old kung fu films, this one would be about average. I rate these films on a curve per usual. This was a 7.25 but got bumped down due to the writer (Wong Jing) not following the rules set out and ending the film on the tropiest trope from the 80s and 90s.

5 October 2025

Trigger warnings: Numerous decapitations and dismemberments, hands through chests, lots and lots of blood, sexual scenes though no bits and pieces were showing. Gratuitous underwear shot. A really bad cat outfit.

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