Fans of writer Kim Eun Sook‘s fantasy worlds are in for a treat. Her newest Netflix series, Genie Make a Wish, contains a special hidden connection to her past global hit, Goblin. A subtle background detail has become a mini-event online, rewarding long-time viewers who have followed the writer’s career.
The Hidden Goblin Stationery Shop
In one of the city street scenes in Genie Make a Wish, a shop appears in the background without any special focus from the camera. Its sign reads “๋๊นจ๋น ๋ฌธ๊ตฌ์ ,” which translates to “Goblin Stationery Shop.” This is a direct reference to Kim Eun Sook’s 2016 drama Goblin, whose Korean title is “Dokkaebi,” another word for a goblin-like mythical creature.
The store is not a quick flash but a steady part of the scenery, making it easy to miss for anyone not paying close attention. For fans who recognized the word, the discovery quickly spread on social media, with viewers sharing screenshots and celebrating the find. This type of subtle reference acts as a secret handshake between the show and its most devoted fans.
The Deeper Meaning Of A Red Scarf
The connection goes beyond just a shop name. In the background of the scene, a figure can be seen wearing a bright red scarf. In the drama Goblin, the color red was a powerful symbol of destiny. The immortal goblin, Kim Shin, wrapped a red scarf around the female lead, Ji Eun Tak, marking it as a symbol of love and protection.
Seeing this red scarf in Genie Make a Wish instantly brings back the emotional weight of that original love story. It is not a random costume choice but a deliberate signal to anyone who remembers the iconic imagery from Goblin.
A Writer Connecting Her Own Stories
This easter egg carries extra meaning because Kim Eun Sook is the writer behind both shows. By including a Goblin-themed shop and the symbolic red scarf in her new series, she is weaving her creative works together. It shows that her new story exists within the same narrative universe she has been building for years, allowing long-time viewers to feel a connection between the past and present.
A Clever Full-Circle Casting Joke
The hidden references also extend to the casting. In the original Goblin, the Grim Reaper character needed a fake name and jokingly chose “Kim Woo Bin,” the name of the real-life actor.
Years later, the actual actor Kim Woo Bin is now the lead in Kim Eun Sook‘s new drama, Genie Make a Wish. What was once a throwaway line has now turned into a full-circle inside joke, rewarding fans who have paid attention to the writer’s previous work and her frequent collaborations.
How Fans Uncovered The Secret
The discovery was entirely driven by viewers. There was no official announcement or marketing tease. One fan noticed the shop’s name and the red scarf, shared it online, and social media did the rest. The speed with which the detail spread shows how deeply audiences engage with every layer of a show, often freeze-framing scenes to search for hidden meaning.
This discovery has made viewers look more closely at every street corner in Genie Make a Wish, wondering what other secrets might be hiding in plain sight. It shows that in today’s world of entertainment, watching a show has become an active, investigative experience for many fans.
Also Read: The Copyright Twist in Your New Favorite K-Drama Genie Make A Wish: Why Aladdin Gets a Free Pass
