What happens when an all-powerful magical being, whose sole purpose is to exploit human desires, meets a woman who desires absolutely nothing? This is the provocative premise of “Genie, Make a Wish,” the new South Korean fantasy romantic comedy coming to Netflix to reinvent the classic tale of the lamp with a decidedly modern and devilish twist. The series promises a captivating blend of magic, romance, and an unexpected philosophical duel about the nature of corruption and goodness.
A Magical Pact: When a Diabolical Genie Meets an Emotionless Master
The story kicks off when an extravagant and powerful genie awakens from his thousand-year slumber inside a magic lamp, discovered in the Dubai desert by his new master, Ka-young. However, any hint of a traditional fairy tale vanishes instantly.
The genie is not a benevolent servant but is explicitly identified as “Iblis,” a name associated with Satan in Islamic tradition. His mission is not servitude but to prove his cynical belief that “all humans inevitably fall to corruption.” Described as “diabolical” and “mischievous,” his greatest pleasure is to tempt mortals through their deepest longings, setting the stage for the series’ philosophical conflict.
The genie’s ambitious crusade hits a comical and insurmountable obstacle: his new master, Ka-young. She is his antithesis: “impassive,” “stoic,” and “emotionless.” Her life is a monotonous routine, meticulously governed by her grandmother’s strict rules. Lacking any desires, she renders the genie’s primary function and mission entirely obsolete. The collision of the genie’s “diabolical ways” with Ka-young’s “emotionally guarded” world guarantees immediate conflict and considerable comedic potential.
The Architects of a Whimsical World: A Top-Tier Cast and Crew
One of the series’ biggest draws is the long-awaited reunion of its lead actors, Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy, nearly a decade after their acclaimed 2016 melodrama, Uncontrollably Fond.
The Team Behind the Camera
The script is penned by Kim Eun-sook, one of South Korea’s most celebrated screenwriters, whose track record includes global hits like The Glory, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and Descendants of the Sun. Her involvement is synonymous with the sharp dialogue and compelling characters that are hallmarks of her style. The actors themselves have cited the strength of her script as a primary reason for joining the project.
Directing is Ahn Gil-ho, known for the acclaimed thriller The Glory and the mystery series Stranger. During production, Ahn Gil-ho took over from the initial director, Lee Byeong-heon. This pairing of a romance-savvy writer with a thriller director might seem unusual, but this creative tension may be the series’ greatest strength. Kim’s script provides the romantic core, while Ahn’s style can bring a visual sophistication and narrative tension that raise the story’s “life-or-death” stakes, preventing the “stress-free” comedy from becoming frivolous.
The series is a co-production of Hwa&Dam Pictures and Studio Dragon, two giants of the Korean entertainment industry, underscoring its status as a major global release for Netflix. Filming concluded in late 2024.
Worldwide Premiere on Netflix
“Genie, Make a Wish” is a 12-episode South Korean original series produced for a global audience. The series promises to deliver a charming story about conflicts, magical mishaps, and heartfelt moments.
The series will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix worldwide beginning October 3, 2025.
