REVIEW: Goblin, The Lonely and Great God
| Title | Goblin, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God |
| Male Lead | Gong Yoo |
| Female Lead | Kim Go Eun |
| Writer | Kim Eun-sook |
| Episodes | 16 Episodes | 60 Minutes per Episode |
| Release | December 2, 2016 to January 21, 2017 |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy Drama |
| Language | Korean |
| Country of Origin | South Korea |
Storyline
Goblin or Guardian: The Lonely and Great God is a South Korean television series that aired on tvN from 2016 to 2017. Kim Eun-sook wrote the story while Lee Eung-bok directed it. The series stars Gong Yoo, Kim Go-Eun, Lee Dong-Wook, Yoo In-na, and Yook Sung-Jae.
Goblin follows the story of Kim Shin. He is a goblin and protector of souls who is cursed to live forever. Kim Shin is over 900 years old and has been searching for his bride, the only person who can end his immortality and allow him to rest in peace. One day, he meets a high school student named Ji Eun-Tak, who has the ability to see ghosts and spirits. She is also the only person who can see and communicate with Kim Shin.
As they spend more time together, they grow closer and develop feelings for each other. However, they have a complicated relationship. The fact that Kim Shin is a goblin and Ji Eun-Tak is a human make it almost impossible for them to be together. Aside from this, they must also deal with the interference of other supernatural beings, including a grim reaper named Lee Dong-Wook and another goddess named Yoo In-na.
Throughout the series, the characters faced with challenges and conflicts that test their relationships. In order to be together, they are forced to confront their own personal demons. As they navigate their supernatural world, they must also come to terms with their own mortality and the meaning of their existence.
Second Lead Scene Stealers
Lee Dong Wook play the role of the grim reaper. He is hopelessly attracted to Yoo In-na. She is Eun-Tak’s boss at the chicken restaurant where she was working at. They met by chance wanting to buy the same piece of ring at a roadside seller. They are drawn to each other after that incident. Wang Yeo, the grim reaper was drawn to Kim Sun’s beauty. While Kim Sun was attracted to Wang Yeo’s inocent charisma.
Overall, “Goblin” is a compelling and emotional drama exploring love, loss, and the meaning of life. It was a massive hit in South Korea and gained a devoted international following.
Binge Star Rating – 8.5 Stars
Goblin is an enjoyable watch. It has a great cast of actors and actresses who played their roles well. The story is engaging and keeps you hooked to the end. Above all, the chemistry between the actors are top notch. It is not exactly the happy ending that I would usually go for but it was a poignant ending to a story filled with chances.
Re-watch Value
I would revisit the series once in a while but I would skip through some of the darker scenes. I definitely rewatch cute scenes between the leads and the bromance between the goblin and grim reaper. In truth, these clips are worth spending time on if you are looking feel-good to watch.
Where to Watch
Watch all sixteen episodes of Goblin on Netflix with full English subtitles. What do you think about the series? Did you like it too? Drop your comments in the comments section below. I’d love to know your views, please let me know what you think!
Looking for more K Dramas to watch? Check out KDB’s What to Watch Next for more binge-worthy series you can choose from.
DISCLAIMER: The images and videos used are not my own. They are from promotional materials released by their production company: Hwa & Dam Pictures and tvN. These images may be subject to copyright. No copyright infringement intended. This blog is for entertainment purposes only. [Last Update 04252024]
