Demands for a ban and intense controversy surrounding the Netflix K-drama Genie, Make a Wish stem from the show’s portrayal and romanticization of Iblis, a central figure in Islamic tradition who represents ultimate evil.
In the series, the male lead is a genie named Iblis who is depicted as a romantic, complex, and eventually good character.
In Islam, Iblis is the equivalent of Satan/the Devil, a deeply significant figure of evil mentioned in the Quran.
Suzy and Kim Woobin’s drama ‘Genie, Make a Wish’ gets flamed overseas for misuse of religious elementshttps://t.co/P0YB9EDkuK pic.twitter.com/9NfGMI00EW
— pannchoa (@pannchoa) October 8, 2025
Muslim viewers have found this characterization to be highly insensitive and disrespectful to their religious beliefs.
To mbak Aliana & all Muslims: a K-drama Genie, Make a Wish has crossed the line.
– Qur’anic words twisted
– “Iblis” romanticizedThis is blatant disrespect Islam. Please spread awareness & stand firm in boycotting.#RespectTheQuran #BoycottGenieMakeAWishhttps://t.co/7pwE5yaXJH
— rose(s) are red (@rosee_verre) October 15, 2025
Critics argue that the show’s creators and Netflix have trivialized and appropriated a sacred religious concept for a lighthearted fantasy romance storyline without proper cultural awareness.
The controversy has led to significant social media backlash, with hashtags like #BoycottGenieMakeAWish and #CancelNetflix trending. Viewers have called for a global boycott and review-bombed the series on platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, causing its ratings to plummet.
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The show uses other terms and concepts from Islamic lore, such as the creation of jinn (genies) and angels like Azrael, which many Muslims feel are being misused and belittled for entertainment purposes.
Neither Netflix nor the production team has issued an official statement in response to the controversy, further fueling the anger among some viewers.
Some viewers have defended the show, arguing that:
It is a work of pure fiction/fantasy and should not be viewed through a strict religious or cultural lens.
“#GenieMakeAWish” Dominates Most Buzzworthy Drama And Actor Rankings For 2nd Weekhttps://t.co/QcsBrQGSa8 pic.twitter.com/wYsicqlzqw
— Soompi (@soompi) October 19, 2025
Other popular media, such as Lucifer or Good Omens, draw on Christian/Western religious figures (like Satan or demons) without facing similar global outrage.
The show’s writer, Kim Eun-sook, intended the drama to be about “the power of love and goodness” guiding human forces, not a religious commentary.
The situation highlights the growing challenges for global entertainment platforms in navigating cultural and religious sensitivities when producing content that draws on diverse mythologies and belief systems.
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