table of content table of content
Netflix continues to surprise with its original Kdramas, and the next one is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing of the autumn. Genie, Make a Wish, planned for the October 3, reunites Kim Woo-bin and Suzy in a fantastical romance that resembles a strange tale... where traditional roles are reversed and emotions carefully locked in.
A thousand-year-old spirit confronts an emotionless human being
Kim Woo-bin plays Geniea mysterious spirit who emerges from 1000 years of sleep with a mission to make 3 wishes. But the modern world isn't exactly to her taste. With his piercing eyes and almost demonic aura, Genie bears no resemblance to the luminous spirits of classic fairy tales. He is in turn charismatic, cruel, mischievousand, in the actor's own words, sometimes even touching.
Opposite, Suzy interpreter Ka Younga young woman marked by loneliness and a strict upbringing, who lives by the rules imposed by her grandmother. Cold, mechanical, with no real empathyShe doesn't know how to express her feelings... but she's fascinating nonetheless. Her impassive face and puzzling demeanor conceal an uncommon inner strength.
An absurd daily routine and wishes that could change everything
The first images of the drama reveal a universe both strange and endearing. Genie, sometimes dressed as a rural laborer, finds himself slumped in a rice field, his demonic aura gone. Ka Young, meanwhile, slices a long tteok (rice cake) with a kitchen knife in a scene as banal as it is striking. Absurdity mingles with poetry, humor with unease.
And between them... something unexpected begins to happen. A silent, almost imperceptible alchemy, where glances replace words. Ka Young, unperturbed, continues to eat while Genie tries to impress her with his supernatural presence. She is neither impressed nor charmed, but he remains intrigued.
An unspoken romance... again
When 2 such different souls meet, sparks are bound to fly. Although Ka Young seems impervious to everything, promotional photos show her standing face-to-face with Genie, only inches away. Glances catch. Barriers begin to give way. And beneath the icy surface, a romantic tension begins to emerge.
Kim Woo-bin explains that she wanted to embody a character "neither totally human nor totally spirit-like", with gestures, a voice and an aura of her own. As for Suzy, she worked to erase all real emotion from her performance, seeking to embody a woman "who pretends to feel empathy without really feeling it". It's a real acting challenge for the 2 stars, and promises a subtle performance.
See you on October 3 on Netflix
With Genie, Make a Wish, Netflix seems determined to offer a fantastic romance off the beaten trackas disturbing as it is captivating. Between a chaotic mind and an icy young woman, this drama promises to reinvent the codes of the genre. It remains to be seen which wishes will actually be granted...
