Editorials 
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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Tearjerker and healing drama with great chemistry and story
The show is really really good at start storAs fate would have it, Eun-Tak grows up able to see ghosts and is commonly referred to as “Miscellaneously Omitted Person” by this same Grim Reaper who just so happens to be Kim Shin’s best friend. With Kim Shin destined to be joined with Eun-Tak, the former is able to summon the Goblin every time she blows out a candle.Believing herself to be the Goblin’s bride, this 19 year old is whisked up on an unforgettable journey of love, heartache and laughter across 16 unforgettable episodes.
With echoes of the past life bleeding through, the early episodes work to build up each of our main characters, who are joined by the mysterious Sunny who rounds out this quartet. There’s also a number of supporting players who lend their voice to this one too, including Duk-Hwa whose family have been indebted to the Goblin for years.
There’s also a mystery deity in a red dress called “Birth Grandmother” too. Although the drama doesn’t explicitly tell us, Koreans will recognize her as Samshin, the Goddess of childbirth and life.
The story does sag a little around the midway point though, taking a little too long to get to the crux of the drama. There’s a lot of will they/won’t they surrounding Kim Shin’s fate but as this one moves into its third act, the pacing does get a lot better. It’s also during these middle portion of episodes that an abundance of flashbacks are used to pad out the run-time.However, the chemistry between the actors is absolutely off the charts so it’s easy to look past this. Whether it be the budding bromance between Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper, the doomed romance between Reaper and Sunny or even the romantic angle between Shin and Eun-Tak, every single relationship is given a decent amount of time to grow and evolve over the course of the show.
There’s a lot of bittersweet moments leading up to the ending too, which will go down as one of the best finales of any Korean drama to date. No spoilers here of course but this one is worth persevering with during the slower chapters to reach this incredible conclusion. Be prepared to come with a pack of tissues though – this is one heartbreaking drama.
In fact, heartbreak and humour both go hand in hand here, with Goblin managing to perfectly balance both its romantic and comedic elements. The best moment of comedy comes midway through the show, as Shin and the Grim Reaper walk with shopping while the main theme “Round and Round” plays in the background.
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This review may contain spoilers
If you liked “Faith (the Doctor),” then you will really enjoy this drama.
From the very start, I noticed many similarities between the two.The female leads (FL) in both dramas have a similar acting style, but I found this FL more credible and less annoying. Yes, they pull their hair in both, but it only happens once in this drama. They share the same facial expressions and exhibit a childish, clueless demeanor. However, since she portrays a 19-year-old and then a 29-year-old here, it feels more acceptable to see her naive and innocent attitude. In contrast, in "Faith," she was around 30 but acted like a teenager throughout, which felt ridiculous.
The male lead (ML) in this drama is 12 years older than the FL in real life, whereas in "Faith," the FL was older than the ML by 10 years. I did not mind. Both ML are really great actors.
There are no kisses and barely any hugs in this drama, just like "Faith."
Both endings are similar, but this drama took the time to explain the FL's reappearance. But same “few minutes” to close the dramas. There's the same endless staring at each other and a lack of hugs. I thought this ending was a tiny bit better because we truly see the characters cry. It wasn’t just a single tear from the FL and misty eyes from the ML; this time, the emotions felt genuine.
"Faith" aired in 2012, while "Guardian" came out in 2016.
I wonder if both actresses, who were of similar ages, went to the same school or had the same teachers, which might explain their similar acting styles. In "Guardian," the FL has more credibility, possibly because she physically appears to be 19.
That said, I enjoyed the drama up to episode 8. After that, it started to feel a bit redundant. Both leads fall in love but are reluctant to admit it. I actually found the other couple more intriguing and interesting somehow.
I appreciate K-dramas for their openness to supernatural themes. However, I’m not pleased with the lack of physical affection like hugs and kisses; it feels too teenage-like to me.
I did find many humorous scenes that I enjoyed, and I loved the bromance, which I believe is the highlight of this drama.
It’s not a high-budget production. Interestingly, I was in the same city when they filmed the Quebec City scenes. You will not find CGI special effects. In fact they filmed in 5 places: a field (battle), outside a palace (slaughter), inside a castle (old bricks walls), s-korean street and Quebec city (the crew enjoyed the city a lit as I saw many different places lol). All in all it was well done.
In conclusion, it’s a nice romantic supernatural drama with a somewhat happy ending for all, although it’s not the usual conclusion one might expect.
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It's necessary viewing for a well-rounded K Drama lover
I waited a long time to watch Goblin, for all the reasons people take issue with it. But I finally decided I just needed to jump in and find out what makes it so beloved, despite obvious foibles. I'll mainly address the age gap and why it eventually didn't bother me. As the story unfolded, the way it was reinforced that she wouldn't even have been born if it weren't for him, and that she was born expressly for him actually started to make it feel like she was less of a human and more mythical too. Hence, the age difference ceased to be a problem for me, especially as the series progresses. I'm sure I wouldn't have experienced that phenomenon if it hadn't been a fantasy series, but that's just what happened. Anyway, I was able to overlook things that would normally annoy me and because the cast was so good, I didn't mind the draggy pace. It also felt so novel and unique at times and like it was it's own thing, not trying to copy anything else. I know there were some tropes, but it's hard to explain why it just felt magically original; It was probably the cast and the writing.Was this review helpful to you?
It gets there eventually
The good:There are many good moments littered throughout the series. Humour, sadness, interesting events.
It was nice to see Quebec City, a place I’ve been to many times, be featured so prominently. The old town is really a magical place in all seasons.
The casting was good. It did take me a little time to warm up to the ML but he won me over in the end.
Visual effects were definitely good enough. No real complaints. Some of the more practical effects were good - not everything has to be CGI.
The bad:
The real let down for me is the soundtrack. I am not usually so conscious of the soundtrack in a show. I’m sure it’s having its intended effect but it’s felt rather than noticed. However some of the songs repeated throughout the show were grating.
It was hard getting past how much of an unpleasant person our ML was for the whole first half of the show. You have to be messed up after that life but that’s a long time to have matured but seemingly not do it. It somewhat saves the age difference issue since ML and FL both acted like children together.
The pacing in the middle section was pretty slow for me.
Overall I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others who like supernatural stories.
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Really Good But Not The Best
Certainly deserved my watch as it hits a LOT of the major tropes that I love-- supernatural, folklore, romance, grim reapers, destiny, etc+That being said, compared to others in the same genre, I don't think it comes out on top as much as some others seem to think.
I know this is in a lot of peoples all time favs, I had a few issues with it. Still great though. Watchable alone for the relationship between the ML and Grim Reaper. They were fantastic acting along side each other. Would watch again only for them. Would watch a whole spin off of only them.
FL is a little too good at playing a bratty teenager to the point she becomes unlikable for a large portion of the show. The age difference (of the characters) as well reads a little strangely no matter how you look at it.
Acting strength was bang on for this show though. Everyone was great. And I give it major credit where credit is due that the last minute plot twist took me hard off guard.
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"Goblin" -- Melancholy, Touching, Funny
"Goblin" is an often funny show, which is something of a miracle given the dramatic backstory that informs it. A centuries-old immortal cursed to wander the earth until his bride can pull a sword from his chest isn't exactly light fare, but the series finds humor in the everyday absurdities of its supernatural premise.What makes the show work are the charming character interactions. The bickering roommate dynamic between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper is delightful. The playful push and pull between the Goblin and his bride crackles with warmth. Even supporting characters like the restaurant owner add texture to the world. These relationships are the show's strongest asset, and the writers clearly know it.
The more relaxed approach to moving the plot forward, however, may be tough for some viewers. Extended episode runtimes only amplify this issue. There are stretches, particularly in the middle of the series, when it feels like little happens. The show lingers in moments of domestic calm or comedic banter when the narrative momentum could use a push forward.
A bigger issue I have with the show is the fuzziness of its magic system. The use of reincarnation can feel a little arbitrary at times. Characters return when the story needs them to, but the rules governing who gets reincarnated and why are unclear at times. This also flows into who retains their memories, as well as which memories they retain.
That said, I genuinely like the twists in the last five or six episodes. The revelations change the dynamic of the character relations in meaningful ways, adding weight to interactions that once felt purely comedic or romantic. The more dramatic second half often pays off the investment viewers made in the characters during the first half. Watching these relationships deepen and strain under the pressure of destiny is rewarding. I particularly enjoyed the darkness of the last episode, even if the ending is controversial for some viewers.
Despite its narrative unevenness, "Goblin" remains an emotionally impactful show, full of humor, heart, and pathos. If you can tolerate a slower pace and some hand-waving around the mythology, there's a lot to enjoy here. The show succeeds on the strength of its characters and their relationships, and that's ultimately what lingers after the credits roll.
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Painfully beautiful. I still hear “Stay With Me” in my head.
I don’t think any drama will ever top Goblin in terms of impact. It’s been years and people are still referencing it—ads, parodies, new dramas, literally everyone’s trying to recreate that vibe. The rain, the red scarf, the walk in slow motion… iconic. Every single scene felt cinematic without even trying. The chemistry, the humor, the pain, the quiet moments that just sit with you—it all just worked.There’s something about Goblin that makes it more than a fantasy romance. It feels like a memory, something you lived through rather than watched. It’s emotional, weirdly comforting, and somehow gets sadder the older you get. I swear, no matter how many new dramas come out, nothing has that same magic. 2016 K-drama era was unbeatable—and Goblin is still the standard.
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Bromance! Romance-meh
I watched this after seeing other newer dramas with the male leads in it, so that influenced my feelings a bit. I do want to mention though, that smart phones aside, this did not feel "dated", considering it was 7 or so years old.Review:
Firstly; the bromance is WAY more interesting than the romance & the male lead (s) interaction with each other are the most interesting parts. I found the female lead's character annoying & yeah, like everyone has mentioned; her being in high school at the start & also at the end puts a damper on how you feel about the main couple. They really tried hard not to cross inappropriate lines, but still, it is very uncomfortable .
This fun overlooked fact gets an honorable mention for being annoying :
it was ALWAYS fall in Canada- like, could the Goblin control that ???
The frequent Product placement was pretty obvious.
***Heavy Spoilers are necessary to explain my low rating.
1) I hated how the grim reaper's storyline went. OK he gets a happy ending, but it was too little too late for me.
2) I Loathe time skips and this drama has a 9 year one near the end. I get why they put it in, but I hated it & wished it had happened around Ep. 4
3) I never really connected /understood how the female lead was a part of the Goblin's past & his attraction to her was inexplicable to me.
4) we get a happy ending once the Goblin came back from the in-between (or whatever that was), But WHY is he still a Goblin ???? He's still immortal, his lover is not! What is his purpose ?
5) They overused Crush's lovely song
6) they give us a happy ending, but spoil it by throwing in the proverbial "monkey wrench" of putting the lead couples through yet more, MORE pain AND separation before they finally let us have the final, final happy ending. It's like pouring gravy on icecream [make up your mind, one, but not both!!] So these things, added to the other misc. annoying bits , just soured the ending feeling.
rewatch; no- and it kinda breaks my heart to say it
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Interesting, bold and boring.
It’s a good show. It has a good beginning and manages to keep you hooked because the story’s premise is genuinely interesting. However, there are things along the way that are completely unnecessary.I believe 10 episodes would have been more than enough to tell this story, with a much more suitable pace, too. But it drags on for fucking 16 one-hour episodes. There’s just no way. When it gets to the parts where they tell us about the past, the story drags on in an almost unbearable way. I had to take breaks of a few days between episodes because watching it all at once was way too boring.
The middle of the story is the biggest problem. They keep dragging out a weak story that you’re already tired of seeing, and then they make you WATCH IT AGAIN. It’s boring, dragged out, exhausting... honestly, I wouldn’t blame ANYONE for dropping it at this point.
In the end, the show finds its footing in the final arc and ends in a fair and bold way. The main couple didn’t really do it for me, although I thought Kim Go-eun was amazing, and she delivered a very captivating character.
I don’t feel like I wasted my time watching it, but I also don’t feel like I watched something incredible like many people say. It’s just a good drama.
I recommend it if you have some patience. You’re going to need it!!
PORTUGUES (BRASIL):
Interessante, corajosa e entediante.
É uma boa obra. Tem um bom começo, consegue te prender, pois a proposta da história é, de fato, interessante. Entretanto, existem coisas no meio do caminho que são completamente descartáveis.
Acredito que uma obra de 10 episódios já seria muito mais do que o suficiente para contar essa história, num ritmo bem adequado, inclusive. Mas se arrasta por fodendos 16 episódios de 1 hora. Não tem condição. Quando chega nos momentos de contar sobre o passado, a história se arrasta de um jeito quase insuportável. Tive que dar pausas de alguns dias pra ver, pois assistir tudo de uma vez estava entediante demais.
O meio da história é o maior problema. Ficam remoendo uma história fraca e que você já cansou de rever, e te fazem REVER DE NOVO. É chato, arrastado, cansativo, nossa... Eu não julgaria NINGUÉM se dropasse nessa parte.
No fim, a obra se acha no arco final e termina de um jeito justo e corajoso. O casal de protagonistas não me pegou, apesar de eu ter achado Kim Go-eun maravilhosa e ela ter entregado uma personagem bem cativante.
Não sinto que perdi meu tempo assistindo, mas também não sinto que assisti a algo incrível como muitos dizem. É um bom drama, apenas.
Recomendo se tiver certa paciência. Vai precisar!!
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An Epic Premise, a Forgettable Romance
The concept of Goblin is undeniably fun. You have a goblin who has lived for over 900 years and cannot die, a grim reaper burdened with eternal punishment for his past sins, and a "goblin's bride" who can see ghosts and seems to have outlived the fate originally written for her. On paper, it's a fascinating setup filled with mystery, fantasy, and emotional potential. The show deserves credit for creating such unique characters and an intriguing world.Unfortunately, after the first few episodes, the story started to lose its momentum for me.
The female lead accidentally summons the goblin and gets pulled into his life. She keeps summoning him, discovers his powers, and that's where I expected the story to really take off. Instead, it slows down considerably. A lot of the plot revolves around her living with the male lead, which raised a bigger question for me: why does everyone act like that's completely normal?
What disappointed me most was the lack of a strong central conflict. It often felt like nothing particularly important was happening. Episode after episode was filled with everyday interactions, and while some viewers may enjoy this approach, I found myself getting increasingly bored.
The goblin himself felt like a missed opportunity. Here's a man who has lived for almost a thousand years, possesses immense power, and has witnessed centuries of history. Yet the story rarely explores any of that in a meaningful way. Instead, his character seems to revolve almost entirely around falling in love with a teenager. For someone with such an epic backstory, it felt like an incredible waste of a potentially fascinating character.
As for the romance, I simply couldn't buy the chemistry between the goblin and his bride. I tried, but the age gap was far too visible for me to see them as a convincing romantic pair. Every romantic scene reminded me of the imbalance rather than making me root for them. Ironically, the second lead couple ended up carrying the romance aspect of the show for me. Their story had much stronger chemistry, and the longing, heartbreak, and connection from their shared past felt far more emotionally compelling than the main romance.
That's ultimately how I felt while watching the drama. I didn't go into it intending to be critical, and I can absolutely see why so many people love it. The cinematography, soundtrack, and fantasy elements are all impressive. But these issues stood out too much for me to ignore. Considering how popular *Goblin* is, I kept waiting for it to click with me and it never quite did.
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Perfect Drama to Watch in Winter
This drama was my introduction to K-dramas back in 2017, and I actually cannot recall how many times I have rewatched this; every winter I am reminded to watch this one. The acting from the cast is phenomenal, and the OSTs are absolute bangers. The only critiques I would have, though, the drama feels honestly slow till ep 9 and then picks up the speed too quickly, which left many people feeling the story isn't going anywhere. Also, some might argue that the drama is showing romance between a high -schooler and a grown-up man, but the drama tried to soothe it by making the female lead 19 years old (18 in international age); however, it is to keep in mind that the man is immortal, and he is specifically 939 years old, so... yeah. This is not a real-life thing. I will recommend it; it might just be one of the best watching experiences you will have, or just not your cup of tea at all; there is no in-between.Was this review helpful to you?
