Netflix Korea is positioning itself for a major Chuseok holiday success with its upcoming series "All the Love You Wish For," featuring popular Korean stars Bae Suzy and Kim Woo-bin. The show is written by Kim Eun-sook, the acclaimed screenwriter behind hit K-dramas including "Mr. Sunshine" and "The Glory." The series has already generated significant attention for its unique character portrayals, including a devilish genie and what the cast describes as a "morally just psychopath."
The story centers around Genie, played by Kim Woo-bin, who awakens after sleeping for a thousand years, and Ga-young, portrayed by Bae Suzy, an emotionally detached woman. Together, they navigate three wishes that have the potential to completely change their destinies. The series promises to be a character-driven spectacle that breaks away from typical K-drama character stereotypes.
During a press conference held on Monday in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Bae Suzy discussed her role and explained how her character differs from traditional portrayals of psychopathy in Korean dramas. "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 said. Bae further elaborated on Ga-young's unconventional moral compass, explaining that "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."
Kim Woo-bin, who is reuniting with Bae Suzy nine years after their collaboration in KBS's "Uncontrollably Fond," takes on the role of the satanic Genie. His character is determined to prove that humanity represents God's failed creation. Kim described the complexity of his role, saying, "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 may look human, but he isn't, so I put a lot of thought into making him feel strange, awkward and off-beat in some way."
The production of "All the Love You Wish For" has faced some challenges, particularly regarding a change in directors that has generated considerable discussion. The series was initially directed by Lee Byung-hun, known for his work on "Extreme Job" and "Be Melodramatic," who completed filming but stepped down midway through the project. Director Ahn Gil-ho, famous for "The Glory" and "Stranger," subsequently took over the series, marking his return to directing after facing a school violence controversy in 2023.
Addressing the directorial change during the press conference, Kim Woo-bin acknowledged the situation with understanding. "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," he explained.
The 13-episode series is scheduled to premiere on Friday, with Netflix Korea hoping it will capture audiences during the Chuseok holiday period. The combination of star power from Bae Suzy and Kim Woo-bin, along with Kim Eun-sook's proven storytelling abilities, positions the series as a potential major success for the streaming platform.
