A new Korean series on Netflix is putting a fresh spin on the classic genie tale. Genie Make a Wish brings together stars Kim Woo-bin and Suzy for their first on-screen reunion since their 2016 drama, guided by the celebrated writer behind global hits like The Glory and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.
The Story Behind the Magic Lamp
Genie, Make a Wish tells the story of a mysterious spirit named Genie, played by Kim Woo-bin, who wakes up from a thousand-year slumber. He is discovered by Ka Young (Suzy), a young woman who was born without emotions and now finds herself as the new owner of a magical lamp. Genie offers to grant her three life-changing wishes. As the devilish Genie tries to adapt to the modern world, he finds himself drawn into an unexpected and electrifying romance with the emotionally guarded Ka Young.
The series uses the familiar motif of a magic lamp to ask new questions about human nature, desire, and the meaning of love and friendship. The genie, convinced that all humans are corruptible, urges Ka Young to make her wishes quickly so he can prove his theory. However, his plan hits a wall because Ka Young’s antisocial personality disorder makes her completely immune to his influence and threats.
Writer Kim Eun-sook on Rom-Coms
The drama is written by star writer Kim Eun-sook, who has created numerous hit series such as Secret Garden, Descendants of the Sun, and Mr. Sunshine. She described Genie, Make a Wish as a “stress-free, no-frustration, familiar fantasy romantic comedy.”
She expressed her deep affection for the rom-com genre, saying:
“Out of all the genres, romantic comedies have this magical ability to make your heart flutter while watching amazing actors express being in love—sometimes sweetly, sometimes cringey. And in doing so, you forget your exhausting daily routine, laugh, cry, and heal.”
When describing the lead characters, Kim Eun-sook shared, “Genie is a highly dynamic character. He goes from cool to ridiculous, from broken to instantly charming. It’s a role that requires an actor to express every possible emotion and facial expression.” About Suzy’s character, she added, “Ka Young is a rare character. On the surface, she seems like a ‘psychopath,’ but inside, she represents the ‘goodwill of humanity.’”
Kim Woo-bin on the Script
At a recent production presentation, Kim Woo-bin explained his reason for joining the project, emphasizing the strength of the script. He introduced the series by saying:
“Our series ‘Genie, Make a Wish’ uses the familiar motif of a magic lamp to pose fresh questions. Through three wishes, it explores human nature and desire, the meaning of love and friendship, and what truly separates good from evil.”
He also stressed, “The power of the script was overwhelming. I loved it so much that, as we filmed, I cherished each scene and didn’t want to let it go. I really wanted to do justice to the world that the writer, Kim Eun-sook, created.” He added that the writer penned such brilliant lines that he put a lot of thought into delivering them well.
Regarding his character, Kim Woo-bin described Genie as a multi-faceted being. “Genie is a character with many sides. He can be cheerful and strong, sometimes cruel and frightening, yet also trivial and, in his own way, even a bit endearing.” He explained that he worked to make the genie feel strange and awkward, as he may look human but is not.
Suzy’s Unusual Character
Suzy plays Ga-young, a woman with antisocial personality disorder who lacks emotions. She talked about what attracted her to this unique role, noting, “When I read the script, it felt fresh and new. It was so fun, and my character, who lacks emotions due to antisocial personality disorder, felt very compelling to me.”
She further elaborated on her character’s unique morality, explaining:
“Ga-young is a psychopath who lives a life shaped by rote learning and the warmth of her grandmother and the villagers. In other words, psychopaths are often portrayed as frightening or criminal, but Ga-young lives by her own rules and routines, which, in the end, makes her live in a more righteous way.”
She described Ga-young as an “attractive psychopath” who, despite her innate lack of emotion, strives to live a righteous and harmonious life based on the guidance and teachings of her grandmother.
A Reunion After Nine Years
Genie, Make a Wish marks the first reunion of Kim Woo-bin and Suzy since they co-starred in the 2016 KBS drama Uncontrollably Fond. The actors talked about their chemistry and experience working together again.
Suzy admitted, “I always felt sorry toward Woo-bin. When acting, you’re supposed to breathe and react to your partner, but Ga-young processes everything in her own way, so there’s no nodding or interjections. Woo-bin had to do a lot of one-man shows.” She said that as the characters’ emotions deepened, she tried to restrain her own facial expressions and emotions, even though she was feeling them inside.
Asked about reuniting after Uncontrollably Fond, Suzy said, “I didn’t realize so much time had passed. Meeting Woo-bin again in a completely new project and with new characters, I was so focused on the fun that I barely remembered the old feelings. Our chemistry is even better now.”
Kim Woo-bin responded, “It felt like we were meeting again after just three years. It felt recent, and our personalities haven’t changed much. We didn’t need time to get close on set, and I enjoyed talking about the project and our characters.” He added, “Then and now, working with Suzy is always a pleasure. She brings happiness to those around her. Thanks to her, filming was enjoyable, and her acting always impressed me.”
The Supporting Cast and Their Roles
The series also features a strong supporting cast, including Ahn Eun-jin, Noh Sang-hyun, Ko Kyu-pil, and Lee Joo-young. The cast unanimously praised Kim Eun-sook’s script during the production presentation.
Ahn Eun-jin shared, “I found the script incredibly entertaining. What I liked most was how it connects the familiar stories of angels and genies to the real world, making it a fun fantasy.” Noh Sang-hyun added, “The premise is original and I enjoyed reading it. My character is both an angel and a human, which is a fascinating trait. I really wanted to try this role.”
Ko Kyu-pil, who plays a jaguar that can transform, said, “I always wanted to work with Kim Eun-sook, and I was honored to be invited. The role is fantastic. I probably should stop playing animals, but since I’m a jaguar, the character is both fun and charming, so I took it on with enthusiasm.” Lee Joo-young remarked, “I’ve played a lot of tough characters before, but this character is more human, which I thought would be interesting. The story is rich and unpredictable.”
Production Notes and Release
The production for Genie, Make a Wish saw a directorial handoff. Initially helmed by Lee Byung-hun, who completed filming but stepped down midway, the series was subsequently taken over by Ahn Gil-ho, the director of The Glory and Stranger.
Addressing the change, Kim Woo-bin said, “I understand that both directors did not attend the press conference out of consideration. I was happy working with Lee on ‘Twenty,’ so I wish we could have seen the project through together. It’s a bit disappointing. But I’m grateful that director Ahn came onboard and guided the project well, allowing us to finish happily.”
The series is set to premiere on October 3 on Netflix. The 12-episode series will be a romantic comedy that promises zero stress and a familiar yet unpredictable taste of life and death.
