Renowned rom-com stars Suzy and Kim Woo-bin team up with famed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook in the eagerly awaited Netflix series Genie, Make a Wish. The show, which is set to premiere just before the Chuseok holiday, promises a fresh take on the classic magic lamp motif with an intriguing blend of fantasy and romance.
Kim Woo-bin stars as Genie, a mythical being, who awakens from a thousand-year slumber. Suzy plays Ka-young, a woman suffering from antisocial disorder and emotional detachment. Kim describes the series as a bold reimagining of familiar tropes, focusing on themes of human desire, the meaning of love, and the complex line between good and evil.
The series also explores the consequences of granting wishes, using the classic device of three wishes to deepen its narrative.
Once an expert in fulfilling wishes, Genie has abandoned his magic. However, he finds himself entangled with Ka-young, who insists she has no need for wishes. Despite her reluctance, Genie follows her back to Korea, presenting her with a dangerous proposition: to prove his belief that all humans eventually succumb to corruption.
Kim Woo-bin, who reunites with Kim Eun-sook for the third time following A Gentleman’s Dignity and The Heirs, shared his simple reason for taking on the role: “It was the script. It had such power. I loved it so much that I wanted to savor every scene while filming,” he said during a press conference in Seoul.
He further explained that playing Genie, a character with many layers, required him to embody a being who wasn’t quite human, giving him a slightly off, awkward charm.
Suzy, on her part, was drawn to her character, Ka-young, because of her unique traits. “What attracted me was that Ka-young has antisocial personality disorder and lacks emotions, which is such an unusual character setup,” she said.
Describing her character further, Suzy explained that Ka-young, though often perceived as a psychopath, is a fascinating figure who lives more uprightly than most, following strict rules and routines instilled by her grandmother and village.
Despite some production challenges, including the departure of original director Lee Byeong-heon and the subsequent replacement by An Gil-ho, Kim Woo-bin expressed his gratitude for An’s contribution in ensuring the series’ completion.
The fantasy drama also stirred some controversy due to the use of “Iblis,” a name associated with the devil in Islamic tradition. Some international viewers raised concerns, but Kim reassured audiences, saying, “I believe any misunderstandings will be cleared up as the series progresses. Please stay with us until the end.”
With its star-studded cast, Kim Eun-sook’s compelling writing, and Netflix’s global reach, Genie, Make a Wish is set to make a major impact. While Kim Eun-sook’s previous hit, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, tackled themes of immortality and love, this new series reimagines the traditional wish-granting tale in a rom-com format, exploring themes of desire and redemption.
The 13-episode series will be available on Netflix starting Friday.
