Netflix’s ‘Genie, Make a Wish’ splits viewers: charming fantasy or childish flop?

Kim Woo-bin, left, and Suzy / Courtesy of Netflix

Netflix’s highly anticipated fantasy rom-com “Genie, Make a Wish” landed just in time for Korea’s long Chuseok holiday — but audience reactions couldn’t be more divided. While some viewers call it lighthearted and addictive, others say they “turned it off after episode one,” citing childish dialogue and lackluster humor.

A star-studded fantasy with sky-high expectations

Released in full, Oct. 3, “Genie, Make a Wish” tells the story of Genie, a lamp genie who awakens after a thousand years of sleep, and Ga-young, an emotionally detached woman. As the two navigate three life-changing wishes, the series blends fantasy, romance, and comedy over 13 episodes.

Netflix had heavily promoted the show as one of its most important Korean titles of the second half of the year. Anticipation was especially strong because it was written by hit screenwriter Kim Eun-sook — known for “Goblin” and “Mr. Sunshine” — and stars Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy, two of Korea’s most popular actors. Its release was also strategically timed to coincide with the start of the seven-day Chuseok holiday, maximizing its potential audience.

A poster for "Genie, Make a Wish" / Courtesy of Netflix

'I turned it off' vs. 'I couldn’t stop watching'

The series’ debut sparked polarized reactions online. Some viewers expressed disappointment, calling it “too childish,” “unfunny,” and “hard to watch.” Comments like “I expected more but quit halfway” and “I couldn’t even finish episode one” were shared on social media.

Others, however, praised the show for its easygoing tone and visual appeal. “It’s perfect for killing time,” one viewer said. “It’s like a Suzy photo book — I can’t stop watching.” Another wrote, “It’s the most entertaining drama I’ve seen recently.” Despite this praise, overall sentiment online has leaned more negative than positive so far.

Directing controversy fuels debate

Behind the scenes, “Genie, Make a Wish” faced production turbulence that may have contributed to the mixed reception. Originally directed by Lee Byung-hun, the project underwent a major change when “The Glory” director Ahn Gil-ho stepped in to complete the latter half of filming. As a result, no director attended the show’s official press conference — a rare situation for a high-profile K-drama.

A scene from "Genie, Make a Wish" / Courtesy of Netflix

The change is also visible in the credits: neither Lee nor Ahn is listed as director in the ending credits of episodes one through thirteen. Only Kim Eun-sook’s name appears as the screenwriter.

Despite the backlash and controversy, “Genie, Make a Wish” continues to attract significant attention thanks to its A-list cast, big-name writer and holiday timing. The question now is whether the series can overcome its rocky reception and achieve strong viewership during one of the busiest streaming periods of the year.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.