Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 - 도깨비 ‧ Drama ‧ 2016 - 2017
Completed
juliezac3hotmail.com
1 people found this review helpful
May 24, 2023
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 4.5

Is it just me

I really can't understand why Goblin is number one The stand out was the grim reaper and his friendship with the main lead I also loved his character and his romance I thought the female was too young and it put put me of the Drama The ending didn't make sense and was a disappointment The OST was great but overall not one of my favourites Dramas I just don't understand the hype I hope it's not just me that thinks this I liked the performance of Yook Sung jae as well The Grim Reaper was the stand out for me
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Completed
elle
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 31, 2026
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

still my fav ?

I first watched Guardian back in 2016, and even ten years later, I still love every single episode. This drama means everything to me. The acting, the music, the story-everything is so incredibly good that it's impossible to skip or get bored of it. I could rewatch it over and over again without ever getting tired.
I've watched so many K-dramas over the years, but Guardian is still my number one, and I honestly believe it always will be. If you haven't watched it yet, please give it a chance-you won't regret it. And about the age gap: don't let that stop you. This is a fantasy drama, and there's no skinship until she's an adult.
For me, this is simply the best drama ever 💕🌸

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Completed
Shubham
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 10, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Goblin: A Tale of Love, Loneliness, and Immortality

There are few dramas that go beyond storytelling and become an experience — Goblin is one of them. Directed by Lee Eung-bok and written by Kim Eun-sook, Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) is not just a Korean drama, but a melancholic poem brought to life through breathtaking cinematography, haunting music, and characters that feel both mythical and painfully human.

At its heart, Goblin is the story of Kim Shin, a cursed immortal warrior who has lived for centuries, burdened by his eternal life. Played by Gong Yoo with quiet brilliance, Kim Shin is a man trapped between life and death, waiting for his bride — the only one who can end his immortality. When he meets Ji Eun-tak, a bright and lonely high-school girl who can see ghosts, their fates intertwine in ways both magical and tragic. Kim Go-eun brings warmth, innocence, and courage to her role, creating a contrast that perfectly complements Gong Yoo’s brooding presence.

What makes Goblin so special is the way it blends fantasy with raw emotion. Every episode feels like a cinematic experience — from the snow-covered streets of Quebec to the soft glow of candlelit rooms. The show captures the essence of loneliness, destiny, and the search for meaning in an endless life. It’s not just about romance; it’s about time, memory, and the quiet ache of existence. Even side characters, like the Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook) and Sunny (Yoo In-na), carry their own stories of love and redemption, adding depth and beauty to the narrative.

The writing is poetic — filled with lines that make you pause and reflect. The dialogues often feel like verses from a timeless novel, exploring themes of fate, forgiveness, and the bittersweet nature of human connections. The background score, especially songs like Stay With Me and Beautiful, adds an emotional layer that lingers long after each episode ends. Every scene feels crafted with care — slow, graceful, and deeply evocative.

But beyond its visual and emotional beauty, Goblin asks profound questions. What does it mean to live forever? Is immortality a blessing or a curse? Can love transcend life and death? These questions echo through the story, making it more than just a fantasy romance — it becomes a meditation on the fragility of life and the eternity of love.

In the end, Goblin is not about gods or ghosts; it’s about the human heart — its longing, its pain, and its endless capacity to love. It’s the kind of drama that stays with you, not because of its fantasy, but because it mirrors the very real emotions we all carry.

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Completed
Nailini
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Pure masochism to wish that life was like in this drama

I just rewatched Goblin for - I don't know - 15th time? Maybe more.
I hate rewatching it. At the same time I absolutely can't take my eyes off the screen.
If you are a dreamer like me and you desperately wish for a bit of romance in your dull everyday life, "Goblin" is like medicine. It delivers emotions I can't feel on daily basis. It delivers hope, that even if this life sucks, I have the possibility to relive it a few more times. The show helps me to cope with my irrational hope for fate to exist. That probably, just probably there is someone predestined for me to meet and love. I thought I experienced sometng like that, but it turned out to be more of a tragedy, than making my dreams come true. This is where I went back to my dull everyday life. And here comes "Goblin". Each tme, when I need this spark of hope. When I cry and tend to think nothing really makes any sense. I always come back to the plot. I laugh, I cry a lot. Soundtrack is usually on the top of my Spotify Wrapped every year. I am even planning to go alone to Quebec. Because this drama helped be to believe there is more to it all and maybe I still can't see it.

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Completed
tmnroses84
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 1, 2026
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5

Truly a fateful and tragic love story that makes you reminisce on your own life

Goblin is a a story of life and love. Kim-shin and Eun-tak have this adorable chemistry that makes your heart warm.

The supporting characters have great backstories that actually add to the story. The supernatural elements and themes of fate/life are well done in a way that makes you ponder on your own life. With catchy OSTs and moments that are so humorous that makes the tragedies even more heartbreaking.

In the Goblin's search to end his life, he found his reason to live. Truly a drama for the ages.
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Completed
bri
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 11, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0

consider me a fan

There are those who dislike Goblin and those who love it. I am, in fact, now among those who love it. There was bromance. It was funny, heartwarming, wholesome, painful, etc. it had everything I could’ve wanted along with an amazing ost and amazing cast. I know there are people who dislike the age gap, but it didn’t really bother me and honestly, if it’s not for you, no need to watch. overall, I really enjoyed watching. it wasn’t perfect, but it’s one of those that’ll stick with me for a long time
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Completed
Dev vaid
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 11, 2023
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
Goblin was a drama I was avoiding to watch for a long time and Idk the reason, But now I have watched this drama I can say I was little dumb for avoiding it this drama is best due to his it's story telling but mainly due to it's suspense making for things which I can't tell due to spoilers but I can surely say people will like it's suspense for almost every episode. Well I can say there were little things that should been done like giving characters little more screentime in episodes and explaining somethings which I didn't understand or maybe it's just me who didn't understand those things but anyway thanks for reading my review and please don't mind my english, I hope y'all have a good day. Hare Krishna

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Completed
Yuri
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 11, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

sad love ?

Omg !!!!! I have so much to say but ill try my best to shorten it fr u guys , i'll try my best to avoid any spoiler 😃. If you've seen the 5 stars and hv already gone to watch the show you did a great job , but if you're still here reading this review ill give you guys some 'more than satisfactory' points so tht u go and watch this master piece!😁
First is the storyline ! Its unique and has its own plot twists... I love how each and every characters stories get together with each other forming a beautiful complete circle! The cinematography and directing is great! I love how chronologically they have arranged all the event's of the story , all the events fall in the exact place and time where they should be in both the past and the present storyline...! The dialogues were awesome , it had a great effect causing on the mood and emotional impact! I specially love how they sometimes tried to make the dialogues poetic for some of the characters lines wherever there was a heartfelt romantic or emotional scene!
The humor in this drama is super hilarious and sometimes savage 😂! Love how they try to give us some good giggles during an emotional scene!
Now comes the characters and actors , I loved all of them so i'll give separate credits😁 :-
Goblin/kim shin - the lonely and great god who's been alone all this time , saves and helps people a lotta times,waiting for his bride so tht she can remove the sword just so he could die and lift the immortality curse upon him since the last 900 years! If theres a problem , call him , he will be always there for you all you need to do is blow a candle😉. He is loving, caring & a great warrior.
Grim reaper - became a grim reaper bcz of the sins committed in his past life , now guiding the dead to the right way , this reaper is different than the ones you've seen before. He's cold , clumsy, cute and stupid!😁 but tht doesn't stop him from being a good person and being a really good friend!
Ji eun tak - an orphan , life full of miseries until she knows shes the goblins bride ! Falls in love with the 'ajussi' 🥰 . she has a really adorable 😍smile! On a dark silent night , she comes bearing the stars in her hands singing songs of angels without wings😌.
Sunny - 'SHE IS PRETTY'💖!!! She is the most straightforward yet cool , loving person you'll ever meet ! She deserves a lot more happiness!!!
Duk hwa - one of my most fav character 😍😎!!! A chaebol heir , handsome, goblins right hand , loves his end-room-uncle and goblin uncle,loves credit cards, silly yet smart, knows each secret from the age of 6 , will call NASA if the weather seems sus !😁
President kim - the TT dancer , trustworthy, obedient,adviser.
Things I loved the utmost - kim so hyun , kim min jae ,the chemistry between all the characters, hated the villain,suspense, the bromance , friendship, humor, ost !!!🥰 overall enjoyed every bit of this show , highly recommend to anyone who has a good choice for dramas !!!!

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Completed
midori
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 6, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5

Fanservice 10/10

Story does not suck and they managed to put in all the fanservice you need, 15/10. Only, there’s an episode where I didnt feel the chemistry so I am giving it a 9/10

My otp is the grim reaper and his queen. Best ship of the century (ofc that’s not debatable /j)

Anyway, like everyone else, enjoyed it a lot, so just watch it for feel good entertainment, happy scenes (and sometimes sad), I mean, it’s good drama with the best actors/actresses.
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Completed
Ruka Haru
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 27, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

AMAZING.

Do yourself a favor, if you are reading this and you are unsure if you want to watch this classic drama, WATCH IT. This drama is hilarious, funny, and a cute Rom-Com. Gon Yoo and Lee Dong Wook's Bromance in this show is so funny and cute! i have rewatched this drama 5 times whenever i am in a funk or need a pick me up, because it is just so cute! The actress who plays the main leading role is so adorable and i think she did an amazing job in this role and really captured the personalitly of her character. please WATCH IT you wont regret it!!
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Completed
raywskii
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 20, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0

.

Chorei. Chorei muito. Tem muito coisa nesse dorama. A história dos dois casais foi muito bem trabalhada, a trilha sonora tbm é muito boa. As histórias na casa de chá me fizeram chorar um monte, a história dos protagonistas tbm, tudo.
A única coisa que eu teria a reclamar é a diferença de idade dos atores E dos personagens. Se eu nn me engano os atores tem quase 20 anos de diferença e a personagens da trama tem 19 no começo. É umas das coisas que eu só fui me importar dps de terminar pq eles tiveram um carisma tão grande na série que eu só fui perceber as idades quando comentaram.

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Completed
anna-lena98
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 31, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

must watch

Since Goblin is known as such a classic and must-watch kdrama, I finally decided to watch it - and didn’t regret it.
At the beginning this drama was a lot more mystical than I expected, but I got used to it pretty quickly and it didn‘t take me long to get invested in the story. I guess it‘s fair to say that Goblin has a quite unique story that is very emotionally investing and made me both laugh and cry. This drama definitely has its fair share of laughs and funny moments, but also serious scenes and moments that made me tear up.
I also loved the cast and their chemistry - especially the bromance between Kim Shin and the grim reaper never failed to make me smile. To be honest - I had to get used to the thought of the age difference between the Goblin and Eun-tak, but their chemistry was still great. I don‘t think I even have to mention Sunny and the grim reaper. <3
This drama has a lot of really pretty shots and scenes in Canada and Korea and I also really enjoyed the OST.
Would recommend!

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  • Score: 8.8 (scored by 163,419 users)
  • Ranked: #178
  • Popularity: #1
  • Watchers: 309,018

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