A new Korean drama, Genie Make A Wish, has caught the attention of viewers not just for its story, but for a clever joke about copyright law. In one scene, the main character tries to name-drop major pop culture brands like Marvel and Disney, only for the audio to be bleeped out. But when she casually mentions Aladdin, the name is spoken clearly. This funny moment is more than just a gag; it’s a sharp commentary on modern copyright and which stories truly belong to everyone.
Why Some Names Are Censored
The show uses bleeped audio to playfully acknowledge the legal power of giant entertainment brands. While people often use the word “copyright” for everything, Marvel and Disney are protected heavily by trademarks. Trademarks guard brand names and identities, and companies have legal teams ready to act if their names are used in ways that might suggest a partnership or endorsement.
For a TV show, using those names can mean buying a costly license or facing legal uncertainty. Genie Make A Wish turns this potential problem into a joke. By bleeping the names, the show winks at the audience, letting them know it’s aware of these legal boundaries without having to cross them.
How Aladdin Escapes the Lawyers
Unlike modern creations, the classic character of Aladdin is free for anyone to use. The tale comes from the centuries-old story collection One Thousand and One Nights. Because it is so old, the original story and characters have entered the public domain, meaning no one owns them and anyone can adapt them.
The important distinction is that while the original Aladdin is free, Disney’s specific version is not. Disney owns the copyright to its particular artistic choicesโthe blue Genie, the musical songs, and the famous scenes. As long as a new show uses the classic character without copying Disney’s unique designs, it is on safe legal ground. This is why the name “Aladdin” can be said freely in the drama.
A Long History of Extending Copyright
Disney has been a major force in shaping copyright law to protect its characters. Congress has passed copyright term extensions in the past just as the copyright for the original Mickey Mouse was about to expire. The 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act is often called the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act.”
These extensions mean that modern stories and characters are locked away from the public domain for a very long time. Disney’s own Aladdin film will be under copyright for 95 years. This limits how artists can reimagine and riff on newer stories, a freedom that doesn’t apply to ancient tales like Aladdin.
What Is the Public Domain?
The public domain is a collection of creative works that are no longer owned by anyone. Stories like Cinderella, Snow White, and Robin Hood are in the public domain, which is why we see so many different film and TV versions of them. Recently, the original version of Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain, leading to new interpretations.
This is how creativity has always worked. Old stories are told again, with each generation adding its own perspective. By using the name Aladdin, Genie Make A Wish is participating in this long tradition, using a shared cultural touchstone that belongs to the world.
Fans Notice the Smart Joke
The moment in the show did not go unnoticed. On social media, viewers quickly picked up on the bleeping joke, creating memes and discussions about why Aladdin was treated differently. The scene became a talking point, with many praising the show for being culturally aware and finding a humorous way to talk about a complex legal topic.
This single, clever detail added a layer of wit to the romantic fantasy, proving that a show can be both entertaining and thoughtfully engaged with the real-world rules that shape our stories.
“It’s a playful contrast between ancient stories and modern corporate power.”
The Bigger Picture on Story Ownership
The scene highlights a larger conversation about who controls the stories in our culture. Streaming services are now filled with both ancient myths and billion-dollar franchises, and audiences are increasingly aware of the legal lines that separate them. By making a joke out of these lines, Genie Make A Wish comments on the very system it operates within.
It shows that while magic in stories can bend rules, the oldest narrativesโthose from folklore and legendโare powerful because they can never be fully owned. They continue to inspire new creations, freely crossing borders and outliving the latest legal disputes.
Also Read: Genie, Make a Wish: Who is Jinniya? Song Hye-kyoโs Surprise Cameo Explained
