A Wish Come True?—Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy Return in Genie, Make a Wish

A fantasy lamp awakens old sparks 
Suzy and Woo-bin return, stirring hearts 
Buzz, praise, and backlash light up the screens 

Ever since Netflix dropped the first poster and teaser for its upcoming K-drama Genie, Make a Wish on 20 August 2025, K-drama communities have been buzzing. The fantasy rom-com reunites heartthrob Kim Woo-bin and beloved actress Bae Suzy for the first time since 2016’s Uncontrollably Fond. Released ahead of Korea’s Chuseok holiday, the imagery—Suzy clutching an ornate lamp with Kim Woo-bin swirling behind her in desert sands—immediately went viral on social media. While many fans expressed joy at seeing the pair together again, others questioned the production’s concept and visual choices. Below is an in-depth look at the series, the creative team behind it, and the polarized online reaction to what some are calling the most talked-about K-drama teaser of the year.

Plot, Cast, and Production Background

Netflix’s press release describes Genie, Make a Wish as a “devilishly fun” K-fantasy romantic comedy written by celebrated screenwriter Kim Eun-sook (The Glory). Suzy plays Ka-young, a cold, emotionless woman raised by her strict grandmother to suppress her psychopathic tendencies. When Ka-young stumbles upon a magical lamp, she awakens Genie (Kim Woo-bin), a flamboyant spirit who has slept for a thousand years. Genie offers to grant her three life-changing wishes—but the twist is that he is actually Iblis, better known as Satan, and he is determined to prove humans are corruptible. As Genie navigates a modern world he doesn’t understand, his trickster energy clashes with Ka-young’s rigid routines, laying the groundwork for an unlikely romance. The show blends fantasy, comedy, and suspense, promising a story that is equal parts magical and mischievous.

The series also boasts a strong supporting cast: Ahn Eun-jin plays Mi-joo, an enigmatic woman; Noh Sang-hyun portrays Soo-hyun, Genie’s brother and rival; Ko Kyu-pil plays Sayyid, Genie’s assistant who is secretly a black jaguar; and Lee Zoo-young appears as Min-ji, Ka-young’s only friend. According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, the drama is scheduled to premiere on 3 October 2025 (KST) on Netflix, just in time for the holiday weekend. This aligns with Netflix Tudum’s announcement that the show drops “just in time for Korea’s Chuseok holiday.” Some outlets, like The Times of India, mistakenly reported an 8 October release, which may reflect regional scheduling differences.

Kim Woo-bin and Suzy’s reunion alone has been enough to send nostalgia into overdrive. Their chemistry in Uncontrollably Fond left fans yearning for another pairing. Kim returns to romantic comedy after roles in action and thriller projects like Black Knight and Officer Black Belt, while Suzy continues her string of strong female leads following Doona! and Start-Up. With Kim Eun-sook at the helm and a high-concept premise, Genie, Make a Wish stands poised to become one of Netflix’s marquee K-dramas of 2025.

Online Buzz and Netizen Reactions

• Fans on X/Twitter

The teaser immediately trended on X (formerly Twitter). A widely shared post from @kdrama_menfess showed the poster and asked:

“New Netflix series ‘GENIE, MAKE A WISH’ starring Bae Suzy & Kim Woo-bin ✨🍂 3 October, who’s excited?”

While many replies expressed excitement, there was also criticism. There are sharp reactions from X users baffled that Netflix named the genie Iblis—the Arabic word for “devil.” Comments included:

“Named him IBLIS? What in K-drama world is this?”

“Why ‘Iblis’ nooooo”
“Which idiot named the genie Iblis?”
“His name being Iblis is frying me… this drama is going to be a mess”
“Worst-looking drama of the year”
“The wig… the AI visuals… this is too much”

These comments show that while some fans appreciate the daring twist, others find the use of a satanic name insensitive or off-putting. Still, the controversy has fueled further conversation, sending hashtags like #GenieMakeAWish and #Iblis trending worldwide.

• Korean Forums and Reddit

Korean netizen communities also weighed in. Pannchoa reported that people were puzzled by the poster’s aesthetic and questioned whether the genre was comedy or something more serious. Reactions ranged from curiosity to outright confusion:

“I can’t tell what the concept is—are they seriously trying to be funny?”
“Looks like a chicken ad”
“Reminds me of Chinese drama advertising.”

Allkpop gathered similar remarks from the Korean forum theqoo, highlighting both intrigue and skepticism:

“Did they do this on purpose? I don’t get the concept…”
“Curious. I can’t even guess how it will be, so it makes me more curious.”
“Feels like when animations are poorly adapted into live-action. Are they releasing a new Curry King product?”
“Reminds me of that webtoon where the heroine travels to ancient Egypt. lol”
“No, this is too much. Why is the quality like this?”

On Reddit’s r/KDRAMA, a thread titled “Netflix ‘Genie, Make a Wish’ Teaser Poster [Premieres October 3]” quickly filled with mixed opinions. While full access to comments requires login, the thread’s popularity indicates high interest. Users debated whether the show would be a “guilty-pleasure train wreck” or a refreshing blend of dark fantasy and rom-com. Top comments noted that the “alchemic pairing of Suzy and Kim Woo-bin makes even a ridiculous concept worth watching,” while others joked the visuals looked like retro video game graphics.

Many users also joked that the design looked like something out of a fan edit or even AI-generated, while others insisted they would still tune in no matter what. The thread became a mix of humor, light-hearted roasting, and reluctant excitement:

“This poster is something LOL …. but I will be seated. Woobin and Suzy? I’m kicking my feet already”

“This poster is wack 😂😂😭😭”

“If I saw this poster anywhere else I would assume it’s either fan made or ai…lmao”

“I knew Netflix was trying to trim their budget a bit but this is just soooo bad. Truly an embarrassment.”

“Petition to allow fans to make kdrama posters as a contest or something because this is ….”

“This poster makes it look like one of those vertical dramas lol”

Significance and Outlook

Genie, Make a Wish is generating conversation for all the right and wrong reasons. On one hand, the show heralds the comeback of Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy’s on-screen partnership, while showcasing Kim Eun-sook’s penchant for genre-bending stories. The premise—an ancient spirit secretly being Satan—adds a darker comedic edge to the familiar “three wishes” trope.

On the other hand, naming the genie Iblis has upset viewers who consider the term a sacred religious reference, raising cultural sensitivity concerns. The dramatic poster and teaser also drew comparisons to low-budget adverts or Chinese dramas, sparking doubts about production quality.

Nevertheless, the enormous volume of discussion proves the series has already captured the imagination of K-drama fans worldwide. Whether it becomes a runaway hit or a “so-bad-it’s-good” guilty pleasure, it stands as a testament to the power of star chemistry and social media buzz. On 3 October 2025, audiences will finally discover whether Genie’s mischievous magic and Ka-young’s hardened heart can conjure the romance, humor, and depth promised by the teaser.

Sources: Netflix press release and Tudum article; Korea JoongAng Daily; The Times of India; Allkpop; Pannchoa