RIOTUS

Come closer. If I tell you Kim Woo Bin is a devilish genie, while Suzy is a psychopath who loves to throw a fit (and a Birkin bag), would you be intrigued? What if I add the writer behind Secret Garden, Descendants of the Sun, and Goblin also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. You’re in, right!? I already know. I had you at the first mention of a Kim Woo Bin/Suzy reunion (Uncontrollably Fond). But let’s get into this new Netflix K-drama rom-com, written by Kim Eun Sook: Genie, Make a Wish.

Just like we can trace the lineage of the recent hit, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, to its predecessor, Mr. Queen. We can trace the style and quirkiness that enlivens Genie, Make a Wish to Goblin. Romance and hard times happen when a mythical being with a grudge throws an impossible girl’s life into chaos because she’s his one and only game-changer. Aww, we love a romantasy.  

Leaning heavily on the djinn (genies) of the Middle East and mixing in the 7-day creation from Christianity, Kim creates a world where angels, spirits, and humans each have a role to play in the Creator’s design. 

When the genie Iblis (Kim Woo Bin) refuses to bow down to humanity, he becomes the corrupter of mankind, aka Shaytan. Hellbent on proving he’s right and humans are unworthy, he tempts people with three wishes and watches as most of them descend into wickedness. His theory is shattered when he meets an unselfish woman who wishes only for good. That was 1000 years ago, and something went terribly wrong. But since that woman was from Goreyo, and Koreans have four lives, Iblis bides his time to take revenge. 

Ka Young (Suzy) is the “lump of clay” he’s looking for, but she’s not the girl she used to be. Ka Young only has one emotion: rage. Otherwise, she’s a psychopath who is constantly on the edge of violence. Their meet-cute happens in the Dubai desert, and it’s hilariously twisted. Imagine a morally gray romance with threats, blades, and giggles flying. Both characters have faceted and wild personalities that immediately make you want to see how insane their love story will get. 

And yet, what struck me most from the beginning is Ka Young’s relationship with her mother, which eventually leads us to the grandmother who raised her. Every year for 10 years, Ka Young visits her mother‘s Dubai restaurant and orders one Gogung meal—just to make the other woman uncomfortable. The relationship is clearly contentious, and we wonder what caused the rift between them. However, whatever you’re guessing, the truth is much darker. Suzy is so icy in those scenes, and it works so well.

In episode 1, the way Kim Eun Sook writes Ka Young’s lack of empathy and her grandmother’s (Kim Mi Kyung) struggles to teach her to cope is stunning. It’s like a reverse mirror for Dexter, with the same intensity but a different intent. Friends, psychopathy is the last place I thought we’d begin this fantasy rom-com. Still, it intrigued me so much, I kept stopping and rewinding to make sure I caught everything. The actress playing Young Ka Young (Jeon So Hyun aka Yuna) is incredible in these early scenes, but pulling off the despair and hope embedded in trying to save a child who can only feel the glee of cutting things, you need an actress of the caliber of this halmoni, Kim Mi Kyung. She’s phenomenal every time. 

Dropping on October 3 with all 13 episodes, Genie, Make a Wish had me chuckling and gaping throughout. It doesn’t reach the levels of Goblin or Secret Garden, but it doesn’t let you down either. Suzy and Kim Woo Bin have an enthralling chemistry; their micro-expressions and mannerisms alone are applause-worthy. They’re so good they make even the most ridiculous flips in the story endearing. Some might struggle with how she beats this man like she’s an MMA fighter and he’s a hapless influencer, but it’s somehow lighthearted. And he’s pretty vicious when we meet him. They both are. That’s what makes this series such a borderline villainous, utterly romantic and comedic surprise.

The development of the romance is not a slow build like most K-dramas. Genies are creatures of fire, and this pairing goes up in flames early on. There’s a kissing gag that I loved, and a lot of viewers will too. While the buildup is fast, the series gives the love time to deepen, and there’s a playfulness that’ll have you replaying scenes over and over. 

Rounding out the cast is Ejilael, the Angel of Death (Noh Sang Hyun aka Steve Noh), who calls Iblis “brother.” However, don’t go looking for a bromance like Goblin and Reaper. There is no cuteness between these two. They do have a pair of familiars that are adorable. Sayyid/Sade (Ko Kyu Pil) is Genie’s mythic black jaguar, and Irem (Woo Hyun Jin) is Ejilael’s white owl. Lee Joo Young portrays the bestie, Min Ji. She’s a pillar of Ka Young’s support system alongside the mystery character, Mi Ju (Ahn Eun Jin). Both of them are delights. 

The relationships and world-building are what give Genie, Make a Wish its life. The series is filled with pairings, each of them intricate and individual and lovable. And details like a feather quill that only writes the truth, unbreakable threads that weigh a ton, and micro-environments like water bottles and lamps, add depth to a fantasy that could have relied on established tropes but is much more imaginative. Another high point is the community Ka Young was raised in. They know about her mental illness, yet they raised her as one of their own. Whether they did it for their own protection or out of unity is something you’ll have to watch the series to figure out.

sidebar: The fashion and styling are giving energy, too.

You don’t have to be a K-drama fan to enjoy this Genie, Make a Wish, but if you are, there are lots of little jokes that come from knowing the genre or the actors. For example, knowing that Suzy and IU are often compared or recognizing Kim Woo Bin’s costume from The Heirs. Even better—I won’t tell you when, why, or in which episodes—the cameos here are undefeated. There are Daniel Henney, Kim Ji Hoon, and Song Hye Kyo appearances. You’re welcome. Watch out for the Henney and Kim Ji Hoon side quest; it’s amusingly sweet. 

Genie, Make a Wish doesn’t always snatch your heart out or lovingly cradle it like the legendary K-drama romantasies, but with devilishly psychotic romantic comedy and killer backstories, it’s a wickedly hilarious treat.