Netflix's latest Korean drama "Genie, Make a Wish" has emerged as one of 2025's most talked-about series, despite facing early criticism and religious controversy. Created by acclaimed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, known for blockbuster hits like "The Glory" (2022), "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" (2016), and "Mr. Sunshine" (2018), the show stars K-drama favorites Kim Woo-bin and Suzy in a fantasy romance that blends mythology, moral questions, and romantic comedy elements.
The series follows Kim Woo-bin as Genie, a mythical being also called Iblis who has given up his magical powers until he encounters Ka-young, played by Suzy. Ka-young suffers from an antisocial disorder that prevents her from experiencing normal human emotions, setting up an unlikely partnership between the two characters.
Before its October release, the drama sparked significant controversy among Muslim viewers for its portrayal of Iblis, a central figure in Islamic tradition who represents ultimate evil, now romanticized as the show's main character. This religious sensitivity added an unexpected layer of debate around the series even before audiences could judge its storytelling merits.
Critically, the show struggles with tonal inconsistencies that mark a departure from Kim Eun-sook's usual sharp writing style. While her previous works featured clever dialogue and deep emotional complexity, "Genie, Make a Wish" relies heavily on awkward humor, poorly developed characters, and confusing shifts in tone that break viewer immersion. The early episodes received particularly harsh reviews for their childish fantasy elements and forced comedy sequences.
The drama's cartoonish humor, enhanced by over-the-top computer graphics, often feels shallow and out of place. The comedic timing and situations clash dramatically with what viewers expect from a modern fantasy series. This creates a jarring contrast between the show's heavy themes of human corruption, life-and-death stakes, and time-spanning narrative with its light, absurd comedic approach. Fans expecting the sophisticated, emotionally rich storytelling that made Kim Eun-sook famous may find themselves disappointed by this tonal confusion.
However, the series finds its emotional center in later episodes, rewarding patient viewers with more compelling developments. Those who persist through the rocky start will discover intriguing plot twists that make it nearly impossible to stop watching until the final episode.
The show's exploration of love centers on Ka-young's character, born with psychopathic tendencies and unable to control her anger from childhood. Her grandmother becomes her anchor, surrounding her granddaughter's impulsive behavior with unconditional love and patiently teaching her to understand and express emotions step by step.
This process transforms not just Ka-young but the entire village community. Initially fearful of Ka-young's violent outbursts, the villagers gradually learn to understand her condition and respond with patience and support. When she grabs a sickle in anger, they calmly set it down and teach her to read Korean characters. When she picks up a hammer, they show her carpentry skills instead of reacting with fear.
Believing her true nature is fundamentally evil, Ka-young dedicates her life to making good choices because she has learned from her grandmother and neighbors how deeply she is loved. When granted three wishes by the genie, she chooses to wish for others rather than herself, standing in stark contrast to most wish-makers whose desires are purely selfish. Her ability to care for others despite her emotional limitations stems from the strength of her family bonds and village community support.
In a recent interview, writer Kim Eun-sook explained her central theme: "Is Ka-young a good person or a bad person? Through this question, I wanted to explore how it's not so much about how a person is born, but which choices they make in life that really matter. What defines our humanity is this series of choices, and the story aims to affirm the essential goodness within us. Ultimately, it's the love between people that helps us make better choices."
The drama offers a thought-provoking examination of human moral weakness through its wish-making premise and the ordinary nature of evil. Ka-young's bet with the genie to prove human corruption ultimately reveals moral failings not in Ka-young herself, but in the supposedly normal villagers around her. Watching these ordinary people become corrupted by their wishes provides one of the show's most compelling storylines and creates an irresistible pull that keeps audiences engaged through the finale.
While fans of Kim Eun-sook's critically acclaimed previous works may find this latest effort falls short of expectations, viewers seeking lighthearted romantic comedy with fantastical elements will discover an entertaining and easily digestible series that improves significantly as it progresses.
