Renowned screenwriter Kim Eun-sook is making a long-awaited comeback with a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre.

Her new Netflix series Make a Wish, Genie marks her first work in nearly three years since The Glory (2022). The fantasy rom-com tells the story of Genie (played by Kim Woo-bin), a lamp spirit, who makes a wager of wishes with Ga-young (played by Suzy), a woman without emotions.

Healing Through Romance

From the planning stage, Kim described the project as "a fantasy rom-com with zero stress and zero frustration." She emphasized the healing power of the genre, saying, "Watching love come together helps viewers forget the exhaustion of everyday life and feel comforted, like magic."

Unique Characters and Casting

Genie is portrayed as a mischievous yet charismatic character, requiring an actor with a wide emotional range. Kim praised Kim Woo-bin as "an actor with a thousand faces," capable of shifting from playful to lonely to deeply in love. Suzy takes on the unusual role of Ga-young, a character outwardly cold and detached yet inwardly guided by a sense of morality. Kim recalled, "It's a difficult role, but Suzy reassured me by saying she was excited to take it on."

Exploring Desire and Humanity

Supporting roles include Genie's brother Soo-hyun, a mysterious woman named Mi-joo, and Ga-young's dentist friend Min-ji. Kim encouraged viewers to discover their stories without prior knowledge, adding layers of surprise. She also explained that the series' "wish-makers" represent human longing: "Everyone has a void, and most wishes come from trying to fill it. But how one chooses to do so—through good or evil—reflects humanity itself."

Visual Worlds of Contrast

The lamp, Genie's prison for nearly a thousand years, was designed to feel desolate at first but gradually warm and lively as Ga-young enters his life. By contrast, the rural Cheongpung village was created as a lush, life-filled Korean setting, visually opposing Genie's desert origins.

A Message to Viewers

Kim acknowledged that while the series touches on heavy themes like desire, morality, and love, her aim was to keep the tone whimsical: "The scarier the scene, the cuter I tried to write it. The result is something strange yet beautiful." She invited families to enjoy the series together over the holidays, adding, "Instead of nagging about jobs or marriage, I hope families will talk about their wishes while watching this drama."

Make a Wish, Genie premieres worldwide on Netflix on October 3.