Must Watch first rate Rom-Com with Bromance and fashionable clothes
There is a compelling story, interesting characters, a good bromance, comedy and a tragic romance. The soundtrack, editing, production values, costumes, food and locations are all top notch. This is quality all around, and done very well.The 2 male leads have a genuine bromance going on, loads of chemistry, so much a viewer could feel it. These 2 were hilarious and look very different. The Goblin looks like the cute guy from next door but the Gong Yoo's charisma is so OFF the charts, it's virtually IMPOSSIBLE to not like him and thus the character he plays. You can't buy that. He has it. Lee Dong Wook as the Grim Reaper is classically handsome with sexy bedroom eyes. He literally smolders while exuding tall, handsome and mysterious vibes. Irresistible really. With this amount of eye candy and camaraderie, what's not to love?
As a bonus, both these actors make every item of clothing they wear look appealing, sleek, chic AND sexy. From long, tailored coats and beautiful knit sweaters to perfectly ironed pants, I don't think I've ever seen a drama where I NOTICED the cut and quality of clothes on the main actors because I felt they enhanced the look / feel of the clothes. Just gorgeous. These 2 could easily make a living as male models, I bet they could even make a sack look expensive and sexy. Mmmm. The female leads clothes were nice. and I have to give kudos to Yoo In Na who plays Sunny for making her square platform high heels look sexy as work shoes (impractical in real life but hey those shoes looked great). All in all the fashion in this show is top notch, kudos to the stylist.
The story actually played out very well. I could have used way less flashbacks but it was okay. The soundtrack melds seamlessly with the scenes they are used in. The songs are ear candy and sentimental. There are 2 sets of romances and both are very well done. The 4 leads have good chemistry together. As a viewer I was actively rooting FOR both couples to get together as I thought they needed some long term happiness not just short bursts of joy. If a drama gets me invested, it's a good drama. All the acting was fantastic, even the side and smaller characters.
The locations chosen for this show were varied and high quality. The Goblin's house for example, each room has a different feel, style and vibe. Canadian scenery set was wonderful. The field of buckwheat flowers. Snow. All in all the production budget spent on locations, costumes, props and special effects were well used. It worked to transport the viewer to different locales.
They managed to sneak in a fair amount of product placement too - visit Canada. Eat a steak there and bring back a maple leaf and was that a bottle of Canadian Maple Syrup? There's a lot of cars featured, and one subtle/prominent Tag Haeur watch. Also, for some strange reason, watching this will make you crave steak, wine, Soju and Olive Chicken. I don't know why. Actually I do know why, but I can't help it.
Overall this is an almost perfect (editing could be tighter) blend of historical plus modern rom com with a dash of bromance thrown in. It's a must watch for those who like great Korean Drama.
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Worth the watch even if you know there's an age gap
One big reason that I was reluctant to watch this was because of the huge age gap between the actors (which is only 12 years but still) and the fact that in the show the goblin treats Ji Eun Tak as a child (because she's 19 and is in high school when they begin falling in love and he is like 30 or 40 aside from the fact that he's hundreds of years old) he also called her child and I feel like in that situation it was more like a father-daughter relationship and it just felt kinda weird. Sometimes it isn't that way and if I ignore the fact that is much older then this couple would be pretty cute and funny. I originally wanted to watch this show because there were lots of videos with clips from this show and it was so funny so I wanted to try watching it. and because I have school so I don't have as much time during the day to watch it so I spend my nights watching and let me tell you it was worth it. I really want to watch it again even though I just finished it, but I kinda don't wanna go through the same tears again. Some parts made me so emotional and sad and I had to cry and the acting was so freaking good. The characters are sometimes super immature but it's entertaining to watch. The music is also pretty good because while I'm brushing my teeth I sometimes catch myself singing the lyrics of the opening song of the show. Overall I really enjoyed the show and the ending was enough for me to sleep well so I'll just end it here and find another drama to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
one of the best drama here
this is the 1st drama that made me cry.....the ending the emotions are crystal clear..... the 2nd last episode was breathe taking that i would never forgetbut the ending was a happy ending...
but I learned a great lesson.... if I am born I have to leave this world no matter how rich I am or how powerfull I am death will happen no matter what ‼️
spoiler alert ‼️
but i have one question..... is goblin still be living?? coz how that can be already lived 900 years.....and the the female character(main) will have Only 4 live....so how that can be??
is there any answer??
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Excellent. Not a waste of time. Must watch.
I first held off the drama for a few months even though I knew it was one of the most popular Kdramas of all time. But I decided to watch it and it was amazing. I regretted not watching earlier. The acting and the music were my favorite parts. Everything in the drama was well written and directed. The bromance was so good too. And most of the events made sense and I was able to understand why they occurred and how. I watched this 2 times. Once myself and once with my mom. I enjoyed it both times and got excited and hyped up. My mom doesn't know Korean (I only know a little tiny bit) and we were watching with Japanese subs cause it's my Mom's first language but my mom had a little hard time understanding what's happening and I had to explain it to her. But anyway, I recommend you watch this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
What I liked about this show: Gong Yoo is my bias so whenever he is a drama I am blinded by this actor and his amazing talent. Even so, he did a really good job portraying a tortured, eccentric immortal that wants to end his existence once and for all. The entire cast did an amazing job and I do not believe that this drama was overhyped.
What I did not like: I don’t want to put a spoiler here, but there is something about Korean Dramas that have a similar ending that I just cannot enjoy. I give all drama props for not using this textbook like ending, unfortunately this drama ended in such a way that makes me sigh with disappointment...but overall it was still a good watch.
I did re-watch this...so it does have an amazing re-watch value, considering I never like to glance at dramas twice.
And the music is amazing and I had it on my place list for a couple years now.
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Fantastic Fantasy
I had some hesitation about watching this as wasn't sure I'd like I'd like the fantasy side of this. Boy was I wrong!Goblin, or Guardian: The Lonely and Great God is a brilliant love story across the ages.
The all start cast are superb headed up by Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) and the delightful Kim Go Eun. Their dynamics are perfect. The second leads of Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na are brilliant as well.
If like me, you had reservations about a fantasy style drama, put them to one side and watch this drama. You won't regret it. My heart however, really does it - it actually ached in certain scenes/episodes but I think Goblin is a right of passage for a kdrama fan and especially like me, you're new to this genre.
It's not perfect however - for the reason given above re heart pain - I'v e marked it down on rewatchability but don't let that put you off. I'm a big softy.
Secondly, let's talk about product placement - it's hilarious but annoyed some people. I didn't mind but it's the most obvious I've seen in al the drama's I've watched.
All in all - watch and enjoy. With hindsight I shouldn't have binged it in a few days - no wonder my heart hurts!
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This review may contain spoilers
This is in my top three favorite dramas. The OST has so many great songs and I listen to it on Spotify a lot. The Grim/Goblin bromance is highly entertaining and brings depth to the characters. They have such good chemistry that you feel like you are part of the drama. The Sunny/Grim story line is one of my favorites. The characters are lovable, quirky, and sometimes socially awkward. If you want to see more from these two actors together watch “Touch Your Heart”, it doesn’t have the same emotional intensity as this drama but it is still a good watch. Secretary Kim dancing and singing to BTS & EXO in front of grandpa is hilarious.In many dramas this character would turn on everyone but I am glad to see that the character has unconditional loyalty to the Goblin.
Kim Go Eun has so much energy in her high school character that it was making me tired watching her. Kudos to her make up artist and stylist that were able to make her look 10 years older and different from her high school character. She was able to tone down the energy but you still felt her passion.
Gong Yoo, what can I say about this fabulous actor. Watch the extras, they will show you how fun and serious about his craft he is. I loved when they were in the movie theater and they were watching “Train to Busan” and he comments about the decline of Korean cinema. I laughed a little too hard when Sunny was describing the Goblin to the medium and she said “Gong Yoo.” It’s these kinds of “inside” jokes in dramas that I finally get after watching so many of them.
I’m giving this drama 10 stars because there is character development and growth, the storyline is easy to follow and doesn’t have any blaring “jump the shark” moments. The OST adds to the drama and doesn’t distract the viewers from the story line. This may get some thumbs down but I’m going to say that the lack of PDA for this drama is a plus. There is a lot of looks of yearning but little physical contact until their relationship progresses. When there is kissing, its not a slow burn it’s like striking a match, quick and heated. I don’t feel like I’m being pandered to. Overall there is little to dislike unless you don’t like the genre, otherwise I highly recommend you watch it now!
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The perfect depiction of importance of life and death
With its interesting plot line and side stories, stellar acting, lovable characters, soulful OSTs, amazing cinematography and the evident hard work put into it by the staff and the writer, this drama deserves all the hype and high ratings it continues to get till this date.This drama has an eternal, ethereal beauty to it. The final scene was warm and happy and sweet. From the story to the cinematography, characters to their relationships everything had this unique, exquisite, attractive feel to it.
The characters were so well written, especially Ji Eun Tak/ Goblin's Bride (I know many people found her annoying but she is one of the best depicted mortal characters in here, I thought deeply about her character and she turns out to be the best out there) and of course, Kim Shin. The OSTs were exceptional and soulful. I literally know each and every soundtrack by heart.
This drama might have been slow paced, I don't know for this was my first drama, but the entire time was dedicated to the development of the characters and their stories.
The acting was extraordinary. The lead actors, along with supporting actors, were exceptional in portraying their role. I literally ship Gong Yoo and Kim Go Eun and Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na (Even Yook Sungjae and his credit card!!)
What I really loved in this drama was that the characters and their stories were interconnected for a relevant reason. The love stories were tragic yet beautiful. I personally adored Kim Shin and Eun Tak's chemistry and story and them. I was entranced by their story and chemistry. The story of Kim Sun and Wang Yeo was also sweet.
The bromance between Kim Shin, Wang Yeo and Yoo Deok Hwa (mostly the former two) was exceptionally funny.
This drama is perfect in its imperfections. The way it ended was the only way I know it could have ended. I expect myself re-watching it by the end of 2026 (I want it to be something special to me). All I know is that I wouldn't have got interested in K-dramas if not for this. It was The Perfect K-drama for me.
I hope you all shall try watching this drama without having any second thoughts (I doubted too if I should watch it but I nevertheless love it).
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Just wow
I genuinely don’t know why it took me this long to finally watch Goblin, but I finally did, and hoo boy, was it one heck of a ride. Despite a very small number of supporting characters, this drama kept me engaged the whole time through its vibrant cast of main leads. Each character’s personality seemed to bring something new and interesting to the table, and I was at the edge of my seat the entire time because of the suspense that the main conflict created. I didn’t see too much of a problem between the characters’ ages, unlike some reviews, and while I did find it a tad awkward at first, I quickly adjusted and was able to support the characters’ romance despite the age gap. The complexity of the plot sadly left me a tad confused at times because of the abrupt editing that happens in some scenes, however the timed comments on viki helped me piece the plot together a bit easier, so I would definitely recommend you turn those on from time to time. I think it’s safe to say that I was crying during every episode once we got closer and closer to the finale, and I could remember having the absolute worst headache after finishing the drama because of how emotional and stressed I was getting. Some reviews warned of the less-than-happy ending, so I was terrified to find out what happened to the leads. To my surprise, the ending actually turned out to be quite happy (though some may perceive it as a tad bittersweet, which I do kind of agree with), though it wasn’t without its fair share of emotional rollercoasters. Overall, I believe the production of this drama was absolutely fantastic, and while I would love to rewatch it to experience the characters’ relationships one more time (the bromance and the sismance though!!! Ahhh, I”m in love!!!), however I don’t think my poor, poor heart can handle this for the second time. The OST was one of the best I have ever listened to (though I still believe nothing tops Mr. Sunshine’s OST) and I would for sure recommend anyone and everyone to watch this drama as soon as they can. It’s pretty much a classic at this point, and it for sure deserves to be called that! Happy watching, and please have some tissues and some Ibuprofen nearby (if you get headaches from crying your eyes out like me!).Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
? My Eternal K-drama: A Love Letter to Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) ❄️
I’m writing this here on kisskh, but no words could ever fully express how much Goblin means to me. 🥹 It’s been 8 years since I first watched it, and it still holds the #1 spot in my heart — untouched, unchallenged. ✨ This drama isn’t just a story... it’s a part of me now. I’ve rewatched it so many times that I honestly lost track, so I didn’t update the rewatch count here — please forgive me! 🙈 But every time I revisit it, it feels like home again. Every snowfall, every line, every moment just hits.The bromance between Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper is EVERYTHING. 💀🕯️ Their dynamic was hilarious, touching, and genuinely one of the best male friendships I’ve ever seen on screen. From awkward roommates to ride-or-die soulmates — I laughed, cried, and absolutely adored them. Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook were the heart of this emotional rollercoaster, and their scenes together made the pain more bearable and the laughter more golden. 😂🖤
And of course, Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak… oh my heart. 💔🌨️ Their love story was tragic, ethereal, and deeply moving. The way she called him “Ahjussi”, the way he looked at her like she was the light in his eternal night — I can’t describe how utterly beautiful their chemistry was. Ji Eun-tak wasn’t just a character; she was hope, she was healing. Kim Go-eun and Gong Yoo were pure magic together, and they made me believe in fate, miracles, and love beyond lifetimes. 💘☂️
Goblin is not just my favorite K-drama — it’s my emotional support drama, my standard, my forever pick. 💫 Even after all these years, “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol and Punch is still my ringtone — and hearing it still makes my heart ache in the best way. 🎧😭 I’ll never stop loving this drama. It's a masterpiece I’ll carry with me always — in every snowfall, in every quiet moment, and in every part of me that still believes in something greater than this world. 🕊️💭
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Brilliant - well, I think so
It took me some time to get to watch this, despite reading rave reviews elsewhere, partly due to doubts about the story-line and concern about a snot-and-tears drama with a tragic ending, which I dislike, and partly due to access (cannot afford multiple streaming subscriptions). But a family member finally signed me onto Netflix (thanks, sis!) and the wait was definitely worthwhile.It's more difficult to review something when you have enjoyed it as thoroughly as I have, than just venting about bad or irritating things, but there are a couple of reasons I found this excellent other than the other positive reviewers whose views I endorse - it manages to successfully blend, comedy, romance, the supernatural, and thriller aspects into a cohesive whole, without it being jarring. You can watch it superficially if you want, or it can get you thinking on various topics such as how the world has changed over history and what it must feel like to experience such change, and whether it makes you feel that everything is just on repeat, or whether you still experience change as fresh and new.
I like the way the 'not-normal-human' characters are fully-fledged people, with a range of emotions and growth during the series. For example - to those dissing the Reaper's acting - I felt the reserve sat well with the character and the emotions he displayed were well-conveyed. The way the ML and GR oscillate between staid old men and nervous teens was funny, illustrating how people can feel awkward and unsure of themselves no matter how old they are!
I will definitely rewatch in the not too distant future.
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sad
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