Netflix recently unveiled the trailer for ‘Genie, Make a Wish,’ a fantasy romantic-comedy reuniting Kim Woo-bin and Suzy for the first time since ‘Uncontrollably Fond’ in 2016. The teaser offers glimpses of a whimsical, otherworldly tale—complete with a mischievous genie awakening after a millennium—but it’s the backdrops that are capturing attention.
Backdrop of Dubai
Viewers have spotted familiar Dubai landmarks like the Museum of the Future, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Seef, and Madinat Jumeirah.
The trailer features some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Museum of the Future, Madinat Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Al Seef. The teaser poster is also set against a shimmering desert backdrop that complements the city’s striking skyline.
Netflix has not explicitly confirmed that ‘Genie, Make a Wish’ was filmed in Dubai. However, filming was reportedly completed in October 2024, and some scenes were shot in Dubai as early as February 2024.
Global Production
‘Genie, Make a Wish,’ which blends ancient magic with modern romance, follows a Genie and his emotionally guarded new master, Ka-young, whose fates intertwine in ways that challenge destiny itself. “It’s a whole new twist on the genie-in-a-lamp story, and when Ka-young’s intractability and tightly controlled routines meet Genie’s trickster energy and clueless charm, it sets the stage for a romance that will be anything but ordinary,” Netflix said in a statement.
Supporting cast includes Ahn Eun-jin (‘Hospital Playlist’), Noh Sang-hyun (‘Pachinko’), Lee Zoo-young (‘The 8 Show’), and Ko Kyu-pil (‘The Roundup: No Way Out’).
Previous shoots
This would not be the first time South Korean actors have filmed in Dubai. Earlier this year, Park Hyung-sik, Park Seo-joon, and Choi Woo-shik were in the city as part of Dubai Tourism’s ‘Dubai, Who’s Ready?’ marketing campaign. For Hyung-sik, it was his second collaboration with Dubai Tourism—last year, he featured alongside Park Shin-hye following the success of JTBC’s drama ‘Doctor Slump’.
In 2019, SM Entertainment’s K-pop boy group SuperM filmed the music video for its song ‘Jopping’ in Dubai.
Release Date
‘Genie, Make a Wish’ is slated to launch on October 3, just in time for Korea’s Chuseok holiday.