When Netflix released the first teaser for its much awaited K Drama Genie Make a Wish the world’s eyes were instantly drawn to Dubai. Far more than a backdrop the city emerges as a true co star alongside the beloved duo Kim Woo bin and Bae Suzy. The teaser begins in the heritage inspired lanes of Al Seef before soaring over the gleaming Museum of the Future and ending with sweeping shots of Sheikh Zayed Road illuminated in the night sky. The sequence firmly places Dubai at the heart of this fantasy romance and instantly sparks excitement among both K Drama fans and travel enthusiasts.
Filmed in February 2024, the series showcases Dubai in ways that feel cinematic and magical. Its skyline becomes a character that reflects the fantasy of the storyline, while the winding alleys and waterfronts connect viewers to the city’s cultural roots. For a story built on enchantment, wish making, and unexpected romance, the choice of Dubai feels natural. The contrasts of tradition and innovation, of souqs and skyscrapers, give the series a stage as imaginative as the tale itself.
Written by acclaimed screenwriter Kim Eun sook, Genie Make a Wish marks the much anticipated reunion of Kim Woo bin and Bae Suzy, their first project together since the global hit Uncontrollably Fond in 2016. The plot follows Jinn, a flamboyant genie who awakens after a thousand years, and Ka young, a woman living a life defined by strict routine. When Ka young accidentally frees Jinn and is granted three wishes, the pair are thrown into a story filled with humour, chaos, and heartfelt discovery. The series promises to mix classic fantasy tropes with modern romantic storytelling, making it appealing to audiences around the world.
The teaser offers a mini travel diary of Dubai’s most iconic sites. Al Seef with its souq inspired architecture and riverside setting grounds the genie’s first appearance in an atmosphere steeped in history. The Museum of the Future with its striking torus design shines as an emblem of imagination and progress. The fast moving Sheikh Zayed Road with its glittering skyscrapers paints Dubai as a city of energy and modernity.
Glimpses of Madinat Jumeirah add another layer of charm with its Arabian architecture and waterfront elegance. Each location is chosen to heighten the fantastical mood of the drama while showcasing Dubai as a destination where heritage and innovation flow together seamlessly.
Netflix has confirmed that Genie Make a Wish will premiere worldwide on October 3, 2025. New episodes will release every Friday, perfectly timed with Korea’s Chuseok holiday season to attract a wide domestic and international audience. With its star cast, magical storyline, and Dubai’s cinematic presence, the drama is set to capture global attention.
For travellers the series does more than tell a story. It invites viewers to experience Dubai’s character, to dream of walking Al Seef’s cobblestone paths, to marvel at the Museum of the Future, and to feel the rush of driving down Sheikh Zayed Road. For anyone considering a trip, the drama offers both an escape into fantasy and a real life travel inspiration. Dubai shines as more than a set. It becomes the genie’s stage, a place where magic and reality merge.
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