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A great watch
If I had to summarize this drama in one word, I'll be - fillers. In my opinion, the story was stretched unnecessarily, and it felt like forever, rather painful to watch through certain scenes. It got so annoying at one point that I nearly considered dropping this drama. Adding to that the whole age gap thing just felt pretty weird to me, the kissing scenes pulled the whole 'romance' out of the scene. I just couldn't take the 'love' part seriously for the first couple of episodes, it just felt very out of place? I dropped this after episode 13. But alas, I eventually had to go back. The awesome soundtrack and acting couldn't get out of my mind. The top-notched 'bromance' kept getting me curious about how the Reaper-Goblin relationship will grow and bloom into Episode 16.For my money, the story was pretty decent. The bromance and the funny scenes added to an amazing experience. The acting was phenomenal and I LOVED every part of it. I'd be lying if I say I didn't want to see more of the story centered around certain side characters. Some felt like they deserved more screentime. Kim's General's reincarnation is a good example. Seeing his story, him happy with his family, living in comfort, possibly with Kim looking at him and iconically smiling would've been pretty satisfactory. The Reaper and Sunny scenes towards the end were SATISFYING. The best part after the bromance.
Goblin decided to have an open ending, which I would say was a pretty good idea. Despite wanting to know more about what happened to Goblin and the bride after they met again in Canada. I believe the open ending was more effective in leaving a strong impression on its viewers than a closed one. Ultimately being one of the elements that helped the show get a strong ending. Lastly, I wish there was some form of indirect interaction between the Reaper and the Goblin towards the very end. Leaving a "Some friendships are so strong, they can even transcend lifetimes" taste in the mouth, but well, guess it's too good to be true.
I didn't initially plan on giving a high rating to this drama on MDL, but I am an emotional creature and the last 2 episodes got me good.
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Best K-Drama Fantasy I Have Ever Seen
This and Alchemy of Souls were the two shows that made me fall in love with K-Dramas. The plot of this story, considering just the Goblin's roommates, lends itself to so many funny, melancholy, and contemplative moments. The reaper, expertly played by LEE DONG WOOK, is a nice guy who offers the dead forgetting tea in a quaint room before they go through a lovely door to the afterlife. The goblin, Kim Shin, exquistely portrayed by GONG YOO, is a sympathic and lovable character with regrets of his past and a desire to protect the ones he loves. The girl who should not have lived, Ji Eun Tak, masterfully played by KIM GO EUN, is so lovable and level-heaed in this sometimes chaotic and fantastical story. The restaurant’s owner, Sunny, beautifully portrayed by Yoo In Na, is an eclectic and interesting character. I am not going to write plot spoilers, but I can say that this drama was one I really wanted to binge watch, and I came away loving the story, cinematography, and characters.Was this review helpful to you?
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don't miss this masterpiece.
Here we go, next masterpiece! Next to the Descendants of the sun and Moon lovers. No words to this wonderful plot and love story. So wise drama. Thank you for making this , it broke my heart, but I had a great time watching it , thought. Life cant be perfect , right?I just interpret the ending by myself...
Soundtrack is next big advantage of this drama. Ailee- great job! Actors? Cant be better! There were also moments when I cried so badly because of the humor in this drama ;D Main characters were hilarious. The friendship between Grim Reaper and Goblin was awesome xd Jin En Tak talking with Goblin was also irreplaceable xd
Thanks for giving me great time watching it. I recommend everyone!
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Watch it for the bromance
I started watching expecting an Epic Love story. And yes there is more than one epic love story here (2nd leads story is even better than the main leads). But the real love story, and indeed the real chemistry, is the friendship between the two male leads. I will be rewatching in the future just to watch the goblin’s and grim reapers’s relationship unfurl again. Just Wow. What a great show.Bring some tissues - at least a box or two - as there will be tears in the later episodes.
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A Spellbinding Journey of Love, Immortality, and Redemption in a Must-Watch Korean Drama!
"Goblin" is an absolute gem of a Korean drama that I couldn't get enough of. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the enchanting world of fantasy, romance, and drama it beautifully crafted. The story of the immortal goblin and his destined bride was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, taking me on an emotional rollercoaster. The chemistry between the lead characters was simply electric, and their performances were outstanding. The drama's stunning cinematography and haunting soundtrack added a magical touch to the whole experience. Even after finishing the series, I found myself thinking about "Goblin" and its powerful themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. This drama has rightfully earned its place as one of my all-time favorites, leaving an indelible mark on my heart and soul.Was this review helpful to you?
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Not too good but also not bad
This drama is not such extraordinary kind but you won’t get disappointed for watching this because except how they executed the story everything is good enough to spend our valuable time like cinematography, background music and songs, chemistry and romance. Still why I am feeling unsatisfied is everything is easily predictable and also the ML who is 900+ years old acts like 10 years old child (may be to match the FL who is sooo bubbly), or may be because the ML is social outcast kind, if so it is still unacceptable because he was the general of his army and he was matured on that time.I must appreciate the cameraman, cinematography, choreography, music and songs, so many times I was stunned thinking that which special effect camera they are used in this drama and once again the music and songs with that situation is really heart-felting one. And one more thing what I felt disappointed is when ML disappears she went for some blind dates and she develops feelings to someone(even though he his her loved one but she didn’t knew on that time) even though she was unclear about her previous love and also she knew that she was the bride of some one whom she love very much or may be I interpreted it in a different or a wrong way may be the director intend to show that the love is that kind of magic even though you don’t have memory (about him) but you will have the same feeling with that right person.
In an over all I can only say this is good drama in all aspects but poorly executed.
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Don't lose patience and keep watching. It may kinda seem boring in first few episode
When I first started watching it was pretty boring. But I challenged myself and got through first few episodes. OMG it was so beautiful after that. When you can understand all the things it seems so awesome to you. Please if you're thinking about watching it then please watch it. It's so good. You won't regret it. And about the age difference i think it's cute. I laughed and cried with this show. There was no unwanted scene. Every episode always ends at cliffhanger. There is some awesome twists in the drama. That's all there is to say. Everyone praises the OST of this show. But I didn't found it that amazing. I mean it was okay.Was this review helpful to you?
Just great!
Stay with me was the best song or OST in this drama. I loved it so much and I go back to watch the first episode to listen to that part.The female lead was great and pure. I loved every moment with her in the screen. The male lead was great as well. The story was spot on. I loved every aspect of it. Even though, it doesn't align with my beliefs, I find it very appealing and smooth. I think this is the first drama where I couldn't hate any character. The cliffhangers and how episodes ends in this drama were out of this world. Especially with the catchy songs.
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Love Love Love
I have watched this show at least 50 times. I cannot say enough about how I love this show the actors the character the story all of it was wonderful and well written. If you are wondering should you watch this heck yeah please do it. The comedy in this show was priceless, the music fit the show. The acting was so phenomenal I can't even begin to say anything bad about it . I laughed, I cried, I even got a bit angry at times but I never regretted watching.... MUST SEE. The chemistry between the goblin and the Grim reaper had me dying, the bromance was perfect how can a girl like me not wish to be in the same house with these two cuties. The only thing I wish more would be if they did a second season of this show using all the same character because seriously you want to know what happened to them I know I do,Was this review helpful to you?
10 stars just not enough!
If I could give this drama 100 stars I would. I don't like to write long reviews so I'm not going to hear suffice to say that, there are so many dramas to spend my time watching but this one will want you to watch it over and over. I beamed at the adorably cute Kim Go-Eun (can we be besties??), fell hard for Gong Yoo, and laughed like an idiot at Lee Dong Wook (hey guys, can we go fishing together sometime?). Their bromance was on another level. I cried pathetically several times. You will relive the series through the OST, and maybe smile and cry again. Beautiful story, perfect drama.Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
This was my first introduction to Gong Yoo and I can easily understand why he's so loved. He's gorgeous, emotive, and captivating in his scenes. This series easily had one of the strongest openings I've ever watched. The first few episodes hooked me in with its OST, masterful cinematography, special effects, and script. I loved the backstory and how it explained the Goblin's origin in a way that made me think of old bedtime stories, or even a Guillermo del Toro opener. I was curious and enamored by Goblin right away.
The show isn't perfect. I wouldn't say it's "over-hyped" like some of the other reviews say, but I do feel like the show had some issues that even made me skip through a bit with the last couple of episodes.
The pacing was a huge issue. It became very obvious by episode 7 or 8 that the show lacked its main antagonist. That could have easily been remedied by introducing the evil spirit a lot sooner (and with less Halloween-y makeup) and less meandering with the "will she or won't she" pull the sword out. I also had an issue with the age gap. I had the same issue in My Roommate is a Gumiho. Why must the writers use a minor to captivate the heart of our 900+year-old protagonist? Ick, guys. Even making her college-age at their intro would have been a whole lot better (maybe mid-20s?). Her maturity level and the school uniform constantly gave me the creeps whenever he looked at her in a romantic way (although, I'll give the series credit that they waited until she was technically legal until he made any physical move on her...but still, ick! 900 vs just-legal. What is this, a Pornhub storyline?)
I was able to suspend disbelief a little bit ONLY because I knew the RL actress was actually 26 (to Gong's 38 - which is still a bit much, but still totally acceptable and not 19yr old vs 900+).
Kim Byung Chul bothered me a lot. His character, Park Joong Hun, was ultra campy in both appearance and behavior as an evil spirit. I assumed it was due to poor writing (which came as a surprise because the writing was excellent up until then). He was a lot more sinister in his introduction as he whispers into the king's ear. He seemed formidable and insidious.
I loved the bromance and the humor that the show inserted to give moments levity. I didn't really like the Cinderella syndrome our FL had with her constant need to summon Goblin to solve her problems instead of fight back and out of her own dilemmas (even though it was always fun watching him come to her rescue or show up disoriented and caught off guard).
The ending was bittersweet for me with respect to Goblin's fate, but knowing he's no longer existing purely because of his punishment tells me he'll leave with her once she's lived through her 4th life, so in that respect it was beautifully written.
Despite its issues, I was sad to finish the show. I'm having a hard time finding something else to watch that matches even close.
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