There are writers who become a genre unto themselves just by their name. Kim Eun-sook is one of them. The news of her new work always makes drama fans' hearts flutter. It's not just simple anticipation, but a near-certainty about the next syndrome she will create. After all, none of the worlds she has crafted have ever failed. Her latest drama, 'All Your Wishes Will Come True,' has garnered even more attention because of her collaboration with director Lee Byeong-heon, who has established his own unique style with the movie 'Extreme Job' and the drama 'Be Melodramatic.' The meeting of these two giants promised legendary synergy, drawing immense expectations.
Kim Eun-sook's filmography runs parallel to the history of Korean drama. While a few of her works received mixed reviews and somewhat disappointing results, this was only due to the high expectations associated with the name 'Kim Eun-sook,' not because the works themselves lacked quality. On the contrary, she would immediately prove her worth with her next project, achieving overwhelming ratings and buzz. Her previous work, 'The Glory,' in particular, went beyond her image as a romantic comedy powerhouse, proving her capabilities as a genre writer to the world and achieving a level of success that seemed insurmountable.
After reaching the pinnacle with 'The Glory,' she has returned to her specialty, the romantic comedy genre. 'All Your Wishes Will Come True,' with its added fantasy element, was expected to offer fans a familiar yet new kind of enjoyment. However, looking back, her works with strong fantasy elements, like 'The King: Eternal Monarch,' have historically been less commercially successful compared to her reality-based romances like 'The Heirs' or 'Lovers in Paris.' This history was a reason for a slight undercurrent of concern amidst the high expectations for this new series.
What quelled these concerns while simultaneously raising new questions was the presence of director Lee Byeong-heon. He is the director of the mega-hit 'Extreme Job,' which drew over 16 million viewers, and the creator of 'Be Melodramatic,' a series that introduced the public to his unique, witty dialogue style. He does more than just direct; he writes his own screenplays, showcasing a distinctive narrative voice and comedic rhythm. The characters in his works engage in seemingly ordinary conversations but then deliver unexpected humor and philosophy, captivating viewers.
The collaboration between these two creators was thus a double-edged sword. Kim Eun-sook is also an unparalleled master of witty dialogue and the back-and-forth banter, or 'tiki-taka,' between her main characters. Since both are writer-directors with their own firm 'dialogue tones,' the main point of interest was whether their distinct styles would harmonize or clash. There was a mix of anticipation and concern, especially regarding how director Lee, who writes his own scripts, would bring Kim Eun-sook's screenplay to life.
The early episodes of 'All Your Wishes Will Come True' give the impression that these concerns have materialized. The atmosphere of the show feels much closer to director Lee Byeong-heon's world than to Kim Eun-sook's. While Kim's tiki-taka flows elegantly along with the emotional current, Lee's often pops up unexpectedly from seemingly random and absurd moments to provoke laughter. The humor in the initial part of the drama strongly reflects the latter's style.
This stylistic color hints at the behind-the-scenes story of the production. Officially, none of the key figures—writer Kim Eun-sook, director Lee Byeong-heon, or director Ahn Gil-ho (who worked on 'The Glory')—were featured prominently in the credits or at the press conference. This is extremely rare in the industry and sparked much curiosity. It is known that Lee Byeong-heon started directing but was later replaced by Ahn Gil-ho, suggesting a possible clash of creative styles between the two masters.
The core of the conflict was likely the 'dialogue.' It's a reasonable assumption that the two creators, each with their own unique tone and rhythm, had trouble finding common ground after reviewing the filmed footage. Director Lee's interpretation of Kim Eun-sook's script might have steered the project in a direction different from the writer's original intent. Ultimately, perhaps their individual colors were so strong that achieving perfect harmony without encroaching on each other's territory was a difficult task.
The resulting drama, 'All Your Wishes Will Come True,' presents a narrative that deviates from the established grammar of Korean fantasy dramas. While the 'genie' concept is globally familiar, the way it's unraveled feels distinctly Korean yet also imbued with director Lee's signature quirky, B-movie sensibility, creating an unfamiliar feeling. This has led to some criticism that it's difficult to get into the show at first. However, the unexpected bursts of laughter and the actors' slick, comedic performances clearly showcase the charm of Lee Byeong-heon's brand of comedy, gradually drawing viewers in.
It is still too early for a definitive judgment. Despite internal conflicts like a change in director, 'All Your Wishes Will Come True' is proving its power, as expected from a Kim Eun-sook project, by ranking first on Netflix in South Korea and third globally. The drama even includes scenes that parody Kim's own previous works, showing a sense of ease amidst the controversy. After all 12 episodes have aired, we will have to evaluate once more whether this unique collaboration will be remembered as a successful experiment.
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