Genie, Make a Wish (2025)
Welcome back to Hallyu Reviews! We hope you enjoyed Shamra’s review of “Squid Game.” If you missed it, be sure to go back and have a read!
This week, we take a look at “Genie, Make a Wish.”
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Final Verdict: SKIP
Synopsis
“Genie, Make a Wish” (“Genie”) is a story about a genie and the human with whom he falls in love. In this world, genies were created from smokeless fire. Over time, genies became too haughty and were involved in a 300-year battle with angels. All but a few of the genies were wiped out. Humans were created to replace genies and the remaining genies were required to bow down before them. One genie, Iblis (Kim Woo Bin), refused to bow before humans, whom he viewed as mere lumps of clay. For his arrogance, Iblis was cast out of heaven and thrown into hell. He asked God that he be allowed to tempt humans and drag them down to hell. God agreed, but on the condition that if he met a human with a pure soul, he would be cast into a fate worse than hell. Believing that all humans are corruptible, Iblis tempts them with three wishes. One day, however, he meets a little girl who selflessly uses her wishes for others. Because of her pure soul, Iblis is trapped within his lamp for almost 1,000 years. Angered, Iblis vows to take revenge on the girl. More than 900 years later, Ki Ka Young (Bae Suzy) is finally reincarnated. As fate would have it, Ka Young stumbles upon Iblis’s lamp during a trip to Dubai and inadvertently releases him. Iblis intends to finally enact his revenge, but nothing is as it seems. Despite the fact that Ka Young is born an emotionless psychopath in this life, she manages to capture Iblis’s heart. He becomes more interested in her than seeking his revenge or corrupting humans, and the more time they spend together, the more they realize that there is more to their shared story than either remembers.
I wanted to love “Genie, Make a Wish,” but sadly, it is a SKIP. From its insanely talented main actors to its many cameos, “Genie” abounds with amazing stars. It is also quite comedic with a story that promises an exciting twist on a well-loved story. Unfortunately, the K-drama falls short of its potential.
THE GOOD
(+) Kim Woo Bin – Amongst a stellar cast, Kim Woo Bin shines as Iblis, a genie known as Satan. Despite his all-powerful abilities – and often shockingly violent ways – Woo Bin manages to portray Iblis with a captivating childlike innocence and wonder. In addition, because the female lead character is supposed to lack emotion, much of the emotional burden of the K-drama rests heavily on Woo Bin, who rises to the task spectacularly, effortlessly conveying great emotional depth.
(+) Comedy – Despite its rather violent story, “Genie” is surprisingly funny. I found myself laughing throughout the K-drama.
THE BAD
(-) The female lead is an unlikeable character – Through the character of Ki Ka Young (Bae Suzy), “Genie” takes a look at someone who, while born a psychopath, has the love of other people to guide her. Devoid of all emotions except anger and curiosity – which makes her a threat to those around her – Ka Young lives her life by rules and routines. She also has the love and support of others – her grandmother, the elders in her village, and her best friend – who act as her moral compass. Unfortunately, in an unexpected break from most female leads in K-dramas, Ka Young is shockingly unlikable and off-putting, making it difficult to relate to her story.
(-) Unexpectedly violent – “Genie” is unnecessarily violent and often in unexpected ways. From Ka Young repeatedly physically assaulting Iblis – even gleefully pushing the immortal to his “death” off the top of a skyscraper – to Ejllael (Noh Sang Hyun) angrily strangling his loyal servant Irem (Woo Hyun Jin) and stealing her voice, unexpected violence abounds in “Genie.”
(-) Disappointing ending – After a complicated storyline, “Genie” draws to a disappointing conclusion. Ka Young’s final wish is to have the ability to finally feel emotions in their purest form. She believes it will allow Iblis to have his revenge and gain his freedom. He recognizes the nobility of the request and bows his head to her, the only human he ever respected. Because Iblis cannot bring himself to kill her, Ejllael slits his throat. When Iblis grants her final wish, he disappears from her memories, but when Irem returns Ka Young’s memories, Ka Young is completely debilitated by her grief. She dies alone in the desert. Though both she and Iblis are ultimately reborn as genies, spending forever together in shackles is hardly a happy ending.
So there it is, our review of “Genie, Make a Wish.” What did you think of this K-drama? Be sure to leave your thoughts down below. We look forward to seeing you back again soon!
Up next, “Dynamite Kiss”
