The new Netflix K-drama “Genie Make a Wish,” starring Bae Suzy and Kim Woo Bin, is facing criticism for its acting just as the show begins airing. The series, which premiered on October 3, has been surrounded by controversy even before its release, with the latest backlash focusing on a specific scene shared online.
While some viewers have found the show’s fresh take on a genie tale entertaining, a clip from the drama has sparked negative reactions on Korean forums, with some netizens calling the acting from both leads “awkward” and “weird.”
What is the Criticism About?
A short clip from the new series was recently shared on the Korean online forum theqoo, quickly drawing attention. The scene features Suzy’s character swearing, which takes Kim Woo Bin’s character by surprise.
While some fans defended the scene or made light of it, many comments were critical. Multiple users on the forum expressed that the acting seemed awkward. One user stated, “Both are just not good. They’re both bad at acting.” Another comment read, “Why are both of their acting like that? Why is the acting so bad.” Some users even suggested they could have performed the scene better themselves.
However, not all feedback was negative. A few viewers offered a different perspective, with one noting that since the characters are supposed to be psychopaths, the emotionless delivery might actually fit their roles.
The Show’s Premise and Characters
“Genie, Make a Wish” is a fantasy romance series that reunites Suzy and Kim Woo Bin for the first time since their 2016 drama “Uncontrollably Fond.” The story follows a genie named Iblis (Kim Woo Bin) who has been trapped for a thousand years. He is freed by Ka Young (Suzy), a woman who lacks emotional depth and is described as having psychopathic tendencies.
Kim Woo Bin described his character as having many sides. He explained, “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.” The actor shared that he put significant thought into making the non-human character feel “strange, awkward and off-beat.”
Suzy talked about the challenge of playing her unique character, stating, “I thought the script was incredibly 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 unusual morality, saying Ka Young “lives a life shaped by rote learning and the warmth of her grandmother and the villagers,” which makes her “live in a more righteous way.”
Previous Controversies Before Airing
The acting criticism is not the first controversy to hit the show. Even before its October 3 premiere, “Genie, Make a Wish” faced backlash on two main fronts.
The promotional posters for the drama were called “tacky” and “low budget” by some netizens. Suzy addressed these concerns during an appearance on the YouTube show ‘Ordinary Thursday Night,’ saying, “We actually talked a lot about the poster ourselves. But I’m sure there’s a reason for everything. The world of the series is unique.”
More significantly, the drama faced allegations of religious disrespect due to its portrayal of the genie character. In the series, Kim Woo Bin’s character is named Iblis, which in Islam is a figure comparable to Satan. Netizens expressed concern that the show was romanticizing the leader of the devils by having this character as the male lead.
Kim Woo Bin briefly addressed these concerns, suggesting that any confusion about his character using the name Iblis would be cleared up by watching the drama.
Positive Responses to the Series
Despite the criticisms, the drama has received positive attention as well. The series was written by Kim Eun Sook, the celebrated writer behind hits like “Goblin,” “Descendants of the Sun,” and “The Glory.” She praised both lead actors’ performances.
Of Kim Woo Bin’s portrayal, she said, “Genie is charismatic one moment, clumsy and messy the next, and then fatally alluring. He’s a versatile character that requires the actor to draw on every emotion and facial expression he has.” She added that watching him perform helped her understand “why people say actors have ‘a thousand faces.’”
Regarding Suzy’s performance as the emotionless Ka Young, the writer commented that she brought to life “the strange yet beautiful girl I had envisioned.” After watching the first cut, Kim Eun Sook’s immediate reaction was, “Wow, Suzy is incredible.”
The series is currently available for streaming on Netflix, with all 13 episodes released on October 3. The show features stunning visuals shot on location in Dubai, showcasing landmarks such as the Museum of the Future and the desert landscape.
Also Read: Genie Make A Wish Soundtrack: Your Guide to Every Song on the Netflix Show
Credits: theqoo
