If You Wish Upon Me
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Headquarters | South Korea |
| Products | Television drama |
If You Wish Upon Me () is a 2022 South Korean television series featuring Ji Chang-wook, Sung Dong-il, and Choi Soo-young in leading roles. Broadcast on KBS2 from August 10 to September 29, 2022, it aired twice weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:50 (KST) across 16 episodes. The drama can be streamed via Viu in regions including the Middle East, South Africa, and select parts of Asia, while viewers in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania can access it through Viki.
Overview
The narrative of If You Wish Upon Me draws inspiration from a real-life story connected to the Make-a-Wish Foundation in the Netherlands. It centers on a young man (Ji Chang-wook) with a difficult history who, following community service at a hospice facility, becomes part of Team Genie—a volunteer organization dedicated to fulfilling the final wishes of hospice patients. Through his involvement, he develops empathy and learns the importance of honoring the last desires of those nearing the end of life.
Main
- Ji Chang-wook portrays Yoon Gyeo-ree: A former convict who volunteers at a hospice after experiencing life in an orphanage, juvenile detention center, and prison.
- Sung Dong-il plays Kang Tae-shik: The head of Team Genie, the volunteer group responsible for granting hospice patients' last requests.
- Choi Soo-young acts as Seo Yeon-joo: A lively nurse working within the hospice environment.
Team Genie Members
- Yang Hee-kyung as Yeom Soon-ja: The cook and an active member of Team Genie.
- Gil Hae-yeon as Choi Deok-ja: Responsible for cleaning at the hospice and part of Team Genie.
- Yoo Soon-woong as Hwang Cha-young: A quiet and earnest colleague working alongside Choi Deok-ja.
- Jeon Chae-eun as Yoo Seo-jin: A high school student who is the only teenage member in Team Genie.
- Park Jung-pyo as Mr. Koo: A social worker who supports Team Genie as a reliable sponsor.
- Shin Joo-hwan as Yang Chi-hoon: Physician at the hospice.
Characters Connected to Yoon Gyeo-ree
- Won Ji-an as Ha Joon-kyung: A woman whose life revolves entirely around Yoon Gyeo-ree.
- Nam Tae-hoon as Jang Seok-jun: Shares an orphanage background with Yoon Gyeo-ree.
- Park Se-jun as Wang Jin-goo: Veterinarian and close friend to Yoon Gyeo-ree.
Additional Characters
- Park Jin-joo as Im Se-hee: The hospice’s youngest patient and a musical theater actress.
- Nam Kyung-joo as Yoon Ki-chun: Patient occupying room 403 and father to Yoon Gyeo-ree.
- Jung Dong-hwan as Mr. Yoon: A terminally ill individual receiving care at the hospice.
- Jeon Moo-song as Mr. Byun: Another patient facing terminal illness within the hospice.
- Yeo One as Kwak Hyeong-jun: Boyfriend to Yoo Seo-jin who is involved in a car crash.
- Park Jung-yeon as Choi Min-kyung: Cousin to Jae-yeon and Ho-yeon, granddaughter of an elder resident at Nursing Home Hospital No. 102.
- Jang Jae-hee as Jae-yeon: Grandchild of an elder living at Nursing Home Hospital No. 102.
- Lee Chul-mu as Ho-yeon: Another grandchild residing at Nursing Home Hospital No. 102.
Special appearances
- Kim Shin-rok in the role of Hye-jin
- Min Woo-hyuk portraying Pyo Gyu-tae, a musical theater performer
- Lee Yoo-mi appearing as a young woman
- Lee Hyo-bin playing Pyo Cheol-woo's victim
Production
The principal cast was confirmed by September 1, 2021, with shooting beginning on September 27. Filming wrapped up by April 7, 2022, as stated by lead actress Choi Soo-young.
Viewership
| Ep. | Air date | Mean audience percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Nielsen Korea (Nationwide) | ||
| 1 | August 10, 2022 | 3.6% (18th) |
| 2 | August 11, 2022 | 3.0% (25th) |
| 3 | August 17, 2022 | 2.2% (29th) |
| 4 | August 18, 2022 | 1.9% (34th) |
| 5 | August 24, 2022 | 2.9% (24th) |
| 6 | August 25, 2022 | 2.4% (27th) |
| 7 | August 31, 2022 | 2.3% (28th) |
| 8 | September 1, 2022 | 2.4% (27th) |
| 9 | September 7, 2022 | 2.2% (30th) |
| 10 | September 8, 2022 | 2.5% (26th) |
| 11 | September14,2022 | ""2.0%(31st)" |
| Episode | Air date | Nielsen Korea (Nationwide) |
|---|---|---|
| Average | 2.3% | |
- The lowest ratings are marked in blue; the highest ratings appear in red.