Kim Woo-bin, Suzy star in magical rom-com ‘Genie, Make a Wish’

Actors Kim Woo-bin, left, and Suzy pose during a press conference for Netflix rom-com "Genie, Make a Wish" in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Rom-com icons Suzy and Kim Woo-bin join forces with star screenwriter Kim Eun-sook in Netflix’s highly anticipated series "Genie, Make a Wish." Bringing together Korea’s most celebrated talents in the romantic-comedy genre, the drama is set to premiere Friday, before the Chuseok holiday season.

Actor Kim transforms into Genie, a mythical being also known as Iblis, who wakes after a thousand years of silence, while Suzy takes the role of a woman with antisocial disorder and emotional absence.

Kim described the drama as “a fresh take on the familiar magic lamp motif, one that asks bold new questions,” adding that “through the classic device of three wishes, the series explores human desire and nature, the meaning of love and the blurred boundary between good and evil.”

Once a master of granting wishes, Genie has long abandoned his magic — until fate entangles him with Ka-young (Suzy), a woman incapable of ordinary human emotions.

Though she insists she has no desire for wishes, Genie refuses to vanish, following her back to Korea with a dangerous proposition. She quickly learns his true obsession is proving that “all humans inevitably fall into corruption.”

Reuniting with star writer Kim Eun-sook for the third time after "A Gentleman’s Dignity" and "The Heirs," actor Kim candidly shared that his reason for joining the project was simple: the writer herself.

Kim Woo-bin, left, and Suzy are seen in a scene from Netflix rom-com "Genie, Make A Wish." Courtesy of Netflix

“The script had such power. I loved it so much that, while filming, I wanted to savor every single scene. The writing was so good I almost didn’t want to part with it. I felt a strong urge to bring the writer’s world to life as fully as I could," he said during a press conference at a hotel in Seoul, Monday.

On his character, the devilish Genie, he said, “Genie is a character with many layers. He can be playful and powerful, sometimes cruel and intimidating, but also petty — and even a bit charming at times. He may look human, but he isn’t, so I wanted to find a way to make him feel slightly off — strange, awkward and moving to a rhythm that’s not quite human.”

Suzy also shared when she first read the script, it felt fresh, new and fun. "What drew me in most was my character — a woman with antisocial personality disorder who lacks emotions. That unusual setup was so intriguing that I knew I wanted to take on the role," she said.

Describing her character, she explained, Ka-young was born different, often labeled as having antisocial personality disorder, someone devoid of emotion. But, through the love and guidance of her grandmother and the people in her village, she’s learned to live by rules that were handed down to her — a kind of programmed way of life.

"Usually, when people think of a psychopath, they imagine someone frightening or criminal. But Ka-young is different. By strictly following her own rules and routines, she actually lives more uprightly than most, which makes her a fascinating kind of psychopath," she said.

The production itself wasn’t without turbulence. Original director Lee Byeong-heon stepped down midway, with An Gil-ho stepping in to complete the series. Kim explained, “While it was unfortunate, thanks to An, we were able to finish safely.”

The fantasy drama also faced controversy over the name “Iblis,” which in Islamic tradition refers to a devil. Some international viewers voiced concern online, but Kim urged patience: “If you watch the drama, I believe any misunderstandings will be lifted. Please stay with us until the end — you’ll come to understand.”

Still, "Genie, Make a Wish" commands immense anticipation worldwide, largely because of its pedigree. A Kim Eun-sook script, the proven on-screen chemistry of Kim Woo-bin and Suzy and Netflix’s global platform make for a triple threat.

While writer's previous megahit "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" examined immortality and love, this new series reworks the classic wish-granting tale into a rom-com that wrestles with desire and salvation.

The 13-part series will be released on Netflix, Friday.