In a recent interview, actor Kim Woo-bin revealed that he practiced every Arabic verse more than 1,000 times for his role in the Netflix fantasy romantic comedy series Genie, make a wish a performance that captivated global audiences.
Genie, make a wish tells the story of Genie (played by Kim Woo-bin), a lamp spirit who awakens after a thousand years and meets Ga-young (played by Suzy), an emotionless woman who receives three wishes.
To embody Genie’s mystical and otherworldly essence, Kim Woo-bin dedicated months of preparation to master his Arabic dialogue.
According to staff members, the actor repeated every recorded line more than 1,000 times, listening to it everywhere on set, during breaks and even while waiting for photo shoots.
A member of the production shared, “He never missed a single moment. Both in the locker room and in moments of rest, he always practiced with headphones.”
Kim Woo-bin didn’t just focus on pronunciation, he paid attention to tone, intonation and emotional nuances, ensuring that Genie’s voice carried both dignity and warmth.
He also worked with an Arabic language teacher during filming, fine-tuning every detail to look natural and believable.
The result? Viewers couldn’t stop praising his performance. “His Arabic lines sound incredibly smooth.” AND “The deep tone of his voice makes the character even more magical.”
Many fans noted that his efforts elevated the entire drama, adding an overall layer of authenticity rarely seen in K content.
Beyond his dedication to acting, fans continue to admire Kim Woo-bin’s resilience off-screen. The actor recently appeared on YouTube channel Fairy Jae-hyung, where he reflected on his battle with nasopharyngeal cancer, diagnosed in 2017.
He shared, “That time taught me to love myself and others better. I learned to appreciate things I previously took for granted.”
After years of recovery, Kim Woo-bin’s return to acting has been nothing short of inspiring – and his hard work in Genie, make a wish it’s proof that his passion burns brighter than ever.
Sources: Daum
