Kim Woo-bin and Suzy Reunite for Fantasy Romance 'All Your Wishes Will Come True'

Kim Woo-bin and Suzy are set to captivate audiences with their unique 'emotionless' romance in the upcoming Netflix series 'All Your Wishes Will Come True'. The two actors, who have previously worked together, expressed their delight in collaborating once again, noting a smoother and more enjoyable experience this time around. During the event, the cast addressed issues such as the change of directors and concerns over cultural sensitivity.

On September 29, a press conference for the Netflix series 'All Your Wishes Will Come True' was held at the Chosun Palace Seoul Gangnam in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul. Attendees included actors Kim Woo-bin, Suzy, Ahn Eun-jin, Noh Sang-hyun, Go Kyu-pil, and Lee Joo-young.

'All Your Wishes Will Come True' is a fantasy romantic comedy about a genie named Jinny (played by Kim Woo-bin), who awakens after a thousand years and encounters Ga-young (played by Suzy), a human devoid of emotions, as they navigate three wishes. The series is penned by renowned writer Kim Eun-sook.

Kim Woo-bin takes on the role of Jinny, a genie who has awakened after a millennium. He explained, "The familiar concept of a magic lamp is reimagined as a reality-based fantasy. It explores the essence of humanity, love, friendship, and the distinction between good and evil." He added, "The script was so compelling that I cherished every scene. I was eager to bring the world created by the writer to life."

Kim Woo-bin emphasized the complexity of his character, stating, "Jinny has many facets. He can be cruel, trivial, and even cute. Although he appears human, he is not. He has an awkward rhythm and demeanor that may seem uncomfortable to others but is natural to him. I aimed to convey that feeling."

Suzy portrays Ga-young, a character with antisocial personality disorder. She remarked, "The script was fresh and entertaining. I found the character's lack of emotions and antisocial traits intriguing."

Describing her character, Suzy said, "Ga-young was born different. She is a psychopath who lives a life dictated by rules and routines, instilled by the warm love and teachings of her grandmother and villagers." She further explained, "While psychopaths are often perceived as frightening and criminal, Ga-young lives more righteously than others due to her adherence to rules."

Kim Woo-bin and Suzy previously collaborated on the 2016 drama 'Uncontrollably Fond'. Suzy shared, "I didn't realize how much time had passed. Meeting again in a completely new project and with new characters was so enjoyable that I barely remembered the emotions from back then. It was delightful to reunite, and our chemistry felt even better this time. The romantic comedy required a lot of back-and-forth banter." She added, "It was much easier and more comfortable, and Kim Woo-bin was as considerate as ever. We had a happy filming experience."

Kim Woo-bin also reflected, "It feels like only three years have passed. It felt close because we met not long ago. Our personalities are quite similar, so we didn't need time to get acquainted on set, allowing us to focus on the project and characters." He continued, "Working with Suzy was a joy then and now. She brings happiness to those around her, making the filming enjoyable. Her acting skills are impressive."

Reuniting with writer Kim Eun-sook after 'The Heirs', Kim Woo-bin expressed gratitude, saying, "The writer always trusts me. I'm thankful." He added, "The fresh and entertaining dialogues provided a delightful challenge in expressing them. The brilliant lines made filming a joy."

Ahn Eun-jin plays Mi-joo, a mysterious woman who moves from Seoul's Cheongdam-dong to the rural village of Cheongpung for a six-month stay. She shared, "I enjoyed reading the script. I was captivated by the fantasy elements connecting Jinny and angels to the real world."

When asked if her character is human, Ahn Eun-jin cautiously replied, "Yes," to avoid spoilers, eliciting laughter. When asked which character she would like to play, she mentioned, "I found the character Jade, a divine beast, amusing. Everyone laughed when Jade appeared. I aspire to be an actor who brings laughter."

Ahn Eun-jin described her character Mi-joo as "a character best enjoyed without prior information." Reflecting on her rural experience, she said, "I loved the nature," with a smile.

Noh Sang-hyun plays Soo-hyun, a mysterious wealthy man who owns several buildings in Cheongpung village. He explained, "The script was fresh, and the unique concept intrigued me. Soo-hyun, who is both an angel and a human, was one of the fascinating aspects." Noh Sang-hyun hinted at his character, saying, "He is a death angel sent to oversee death under divine orders."

Regarding action scenes, Noh Sang-hyun stated, "The fight between Jinny and the angel is surreal. It's my first time attempting such large-scale action." He added, "There's a slow-motion action scene that we filmed without editing effects. It's worth watching for fun."

Go Kyu-pil plays Saide, Jinny's divine beast and a versatile worker in Cheongpung village. He expressed, "I always wanted to work with writer Kim Eun-sook, and it was an honor to be invited." He added, "I transform into a jaguar. The role is fantastic. I've been specializing in animal roles lately, and although I should stop, the character was too fun and charming to resist," he said with a laugh.

Regarding his acting focus, Go Kyu-pil explained, "I serve my master as a divine beast, and I have a job in Cheongpung village. Ga-young is my boss. In the drama, I diligently serve both characters but often get scolded. I aimed to synchronize well with my co-actors." On portraying his jaguar form, he said, "It wasn't easy. I did my best. There are stages of transformation, and I considered poses and camera angles. I worked hard."

Lee Joo-young shared, "I've played strong roles before, but Min-joo has more humanity, making it interesting. The story is rich and unpredictable." She expressed interest in playing Ga-young, saying, "This character is considered Suzy's iconic role," sparking curiosity.

The cast also shared their personal wishes. Go Kyu-pil humorously wished for "a safe monthly income of 20 million won," prompting laughter. Noh Sang-hyun added, "I'll go for 50 million won," adding to the humor. Lee Joo-young wished for "peace of mind." Ahn Eun-jin expressed, "I'm afraid of losing those who protect me as time passes. I hope my parents remain healthy and enjoy good food for a long time." Suzy said, "I think a real genie needs to appear in my life for me to have a wish," adding, "I'd like to eat delicious food without gaining weight." Kim Woo-bin sweetly responded to a journalist's wish for work-life balance, saying, "My wish is for your wish to come true."

Regarding key points to watch, Kim Woo-bin hinted, "The connection between Jinny and Ga-young spans not only their current lives but also their past lives. Following the 13-episode narrative will reveal their bond." With the series releasing during a holiday, Suzy added, "Although it's a fantasy romance, it offers heartwarming and entertaining stories suitable for family viewing. It's a work that provides conversation topics for families. I'm delighted that families can enjoy it together during the holiday. I hope you enjoy it."

'All Your Wishes Will Come True' was initially directed by Lee Byung-hun, who later stepped down, with Ahn Gil-ho taking over. The event was attended solely by the cast, without the production team. Kim Woo-bin explained, "I understand that both directors stepped aside out of mutual respect. It would have been nice to finish together, but although there was some regret, Director Ahn Gil-ho wrapped it up well."

The series faced criticism for lacking respect for Islamic culture following the trailer release. Kim Woo-bin assured, "I believe any misunderstandings will be resolved once you watch the drama. Please stay with us until the final episode."

'All Your Wishes Will Come True' will be available on Netflix starting October 3.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr