Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

I really, really wanted to love this show. The tone in the beginning was intriguing, the comedy/drama was well-balanced and fun, and the story was so engaging. But there was so much wasted potential. Shin's story was tragic and emotional, and I was deeply moved by his character, which is why I'm not rating lower. Yet the focus on the "fated" romance and the fact that it started when she was so young just bothered me. You can't tell me that these people were meant for each other just because they're fated; show me, let me feel their connection. I didn't, and that's where this fell flat for me.

Story: All over the place. Too many interweaving character storylines and relationships fighting for center stage, too many repeating scenes, and truly atrocious pacing. I couldn't stand how slowly this moved, honestly. It felt like it started out strongly, but then characters would spend episodes doing nothing. They would talk, they would be cute, they would be unsure, but nothing really happened for so. Many. Episodes. And then when something finally did happen that brought the characters into conflict, it was too quick to feel at all developed. In particular, an antagonist popped up later in the series and when they dealt with them, I was left thinking, "...that's it? That's how they're gonna do this?"

The characters were okay, but Eun Tak was just... not very well-developed, in my opinion. She's a bubbly, optimistic girl who can see ghosts and wants to help people. Okay, why? Why does she cling to Shin strongly at the beginning, and am I supposed to be charmed by the fact that an immature teenager is flirting with a 1,000 year old man? There wasn't much depth to her or their romance, and I felt disconnected from her character as a whole. Which further made the romance less engaging to me. Furthermore, so many of these characters had the potential to be amazing, with just a little more focus and development, which I think was sacrificed in order to fit so many of the other elements into the show.

Acting: I do like the cast, especially Gong Yoo. I was also incredibly impressed with Lee Dong Wook as I've thought he was a bad actor in the past, yet his work here definitely made me second guess my opinion of him. Kim Go Eun is a really good actress, yet seeing her play an immature teenager for so much of the show really grated on my nerves. But, boy, can she cry. Both she and Gong Yoo can make your heart ache, I'll give them that. Never been a huge fan of Yoo In Na, but she did well here, so I didn't mind her.

Music: Cute, fitting. I don't remember most of it, but I'm going to attribute that to the fact that I was consistently frustrated with the show. I can tell you that this is an OST that will definitely stay with the people who loved the show, though.

TL;DR: I'm glad that this show has brought such joy to so many people, but it disappointed me. I should have known better considering how I've fared with Kim Eun Sook's other dramas, but I was hoping this one was different. However, if you like her other dramas and are a fan of fantasy, fated lovers, a little bit of sadness, a little bit of comedy, and a whole lot of romance, then definitely give this one a shot.

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Bewitching & Bittersweet Romance

If someone were to ask me to describe this series, I’m not sure I could do it justice. It’s about life and loss; joy and grief; hope and despair. It’s about letting go of the past to embrace the present and future; building a friendship with a rival; falling in love for the first time. It is, as Eun-tak says, a “sad love” story. Yet despite this show being an absolutely bewitching and bittersweet story, it didn’t quite work for me.

❤ This show works best when it focuses on the four main leads - Kim Shin, Grim Reaper, Ji Eun-tak, and Sunny. Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper shine whether they are bickering or bantering.

❤ It took me some time to get invested in the love story considering an immortal is attempting to romance a high school senior. I embraced their romance eventually, but it took me some time to get past the circumstances. Eun-tak’s sunny personality mixed with Kim Shin’s awakening emotions were the perfect mixture between silly and sweet.

❤ It’s too long for such a short story. Whole scenes from previous episodes we’re inserted into later episodes to pad it out to sixteen episodes, but it dragged down the pacing dramatically. I think it could have been well executed with half the run time.

❤ The person training to be the next assistant to Kim Shin, Yoo Duk-hwa, was only used as a plot device or the comic relief. The CGI was also pretty terrible, particularly in the earlier episodes.

❤ Be prepared for a bittersweet ending. This is a show that talks a lot about depression, loss, and grief. If you’re looking for a fun and feel good show, you might not enjoy this experience right now.

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Do not get hung up on the age gap, love is love is love

I Finished this masterpiece a couple of weeks ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. The romance, the bromance, the comedy, the costumes, the jackets, the magic, the chemistry between the entire cast, the plot, the history, The memorable scenes, the beautiful kisses, And an ending that had me thinking about it for weeks. This is 100% worth the watch. Honestly if the music has been a bit better, this would’ve replaced my number one favorite. This is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, no matter the language and no matter the country. I can’t say enough good things about it. I know a lot of people get hung up on the age gap between the main female lead and main male lead, but She starts off the show as a naive, awkward 19 year old and ends the show as a strong, fierce 29-year-old woman....how can you not love a young woman coming into her own strength?! meanwhile he’s supposed to be 900 years mentally, 32 physically, but 18 romance wise. It evens out in my eyes. I say just Indulge in it and let yourself fall in love with them too. And don’t even Get me started on the secondary romance and how precious it is. But let’s be honest the real star of the show is the romance between the goblin and grim reaper. I hope these to do another show together someday.

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Definitely Recommend

I have to address something that people are pointing out as a flaw; the age gap. I'm going to start by saying that I'm not typically a fan of age gap romances at all, but I feel like there was a purpose in Goblin for the ages and the writers did a great job with their relationship development. They didn't do anything illegal in terms of intimacy while she was 19 - they had one peck when she tried pulling out the sword. They didn't kiss again until she was 20 and they didn't go further than that until she was 29 (if we go off of implication). Yes, when she was 19, Kim Shin admitted that she was his first love, but why is that inappropriate when she would age and he wouldn't? You have to remember that he's essentially stuck at the same physical age and his loved ones all age around him. And if she's fated to be his true love, he will love her at any age. From young to old. In addition to that, the love he feels for her isn't just about romance. Plus, the reason she was 9, 19, and 29 is because of the whole '9' thing in the show, so she couldn't be slightly older or younger than 19 at the age they met. I think I would have had problem with the age gap if they kissed properly (or went further) while she was still a minor, but they didn't because this series is about their fated true love and how they'll always meet. It's a beautiful story of their sad love and life. Age isn't really in the equation.

Story: I loved the entire story. It kept my attention so that I was never bored - despite the episodes being long. The writing was amazing most of the time. I laughed, smiled, squealed, cried, and even got scared by that asshole evil soul who shall not be named. Plus, I loved the fantasy and supernatural theme of the show. It had all the right ingredients to make me fall in love with the drama: romance, fantasy, supernatural, comedy, angst, found family and bromance. The development between Wang Yeo and Kim Shin honestly brought me to tears. Ugh. Anyway, the last four episodes kind of brought down the rating for me a little because everyone was taking turns dying or leaving. But, it does make sense for the show. All the characters were great too, there wasn't a single one I hated.

Acting/Cast: Incredible acting from the entire cast. Although I love Gong Yoo and he played his role perfectly, I feel like he would have been better suited for the role 5 years beforehand.

Music: Perfect.

Rewatch value: If I have time, I might rewatch this.

Overall: I highly recommend watching this if you haven't yet. It really is such a good drama.

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One of the best Korean drama, iconic

One of the best drama and I think everyone agrees with this. The production is so good, the story is compelling and it will really hook you up, I was never a fan of fantasy dramas that's why I watched this years after release but this opened my door to watching some dramas with fantasy elements.

My highlights of the film are Eun Tak's acting, her acting feels so real most of the times especially with the sad scenes, I also loved Sunny's character and how can we talk about Goblin without the OST? The OST of this drama alone is so good especially Stay and Beautiful Life.

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Overrated and most of all, a failed ending.

I watched it because it had so much good ratings. What a disappointment.
The story begins with a plot that is classical and plain. There is the overused trope of fate and as soon as Eun Tak meets the Goblin the love story is forebode. But that's okay, it's well done and their firts encounters with both of them searching any interest in a potential relation is interesting ( she wants to use him to escape her life while he wants to use her to die ).

However, it does not get better.
The rythm is too slow, and the side love story between the Gream Reaper and the shop owner is boring and useless.

Even the bromance is not that good. The transition between being ennemies to friends is not smooth.

The whole stuff of reincarnations is so bad as well. Kim shin is shown as a bright man ( he won a lot of battles because of physical strengh but also by strategical means ) yet he does not make the difference between his sister and her new life ??
Furthermore at the end every reincarnated people have the same face as their previous life body, yet it had been specified that people randomly reincarnate into different bodies and having the same is rare.
The backstory of the medieval plot is thin as well and the characters are not fully developped.

The final fight with the main ennemy is failed as it is teased for some episodes ( and visually he is scary and charismatic, his dark tongue gives goosebumps ). But why is he killed with almost no fight ?? Kim Shin awaited more than 1000 years for 30min of dodging ??

And the 3 last episodes, a disaster.
Kim shin finally dying wassad but actually it was a logical ending : he was released from his suffering and allowed to live happily by embracing love at the very end of his existance. Eun Tak would cherish her memories of him and mourn him knowing that he left peacefully.
Making her die at his place is such a nonsense. First she embodied the future as the younger character. Second, it means that Kim Shin will never die, and that it was a punishment of god ( rather than a way to relieve him from his pains ). Not only did he suffer for years because of the betrayal of the King, but now he has to eternally suffer from the lost of his wife. What is the moral of that ? "No matter what you do to repent you will suffer ?" It does not make sense since we know that the sinner is the Grim Reaper and not Kim Shin.

On the whole it is not the worse drama ever, but it lacks in many points. It is still fully watchable, the characters are attaching, and the fate of the Goblin is touching : we want to know how he will find some happiness.

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Goblin's making-of.

Behind the scene : Conversation between screenwriter Kim Eun Sook and film director Lee Eung Bok.

LEE - Writer Kim, I've been waiting for your script for days!
KIM - Oh! Sorry, it slipped my mind.

Writer Kim Eun Sook takes a piece of paper and quickly writes something on it.
Then she hands the paper to director Lee Eung Bok.

KIM - There you go.
LEE - ... ?!!!
KIM - The script! Read it!
LEE : (He reads the sheet).
LEE - That... That's all?

On the sheet of paper, it says:
(pretty setting)
900yearsGOB - So, do you see it?
SCHOOLGIRL - What do I see?
(nice atmosphere)
SCHOOLGIRL - Am I the Goblin's fiancée?
900yearsGOB - Only if you see it.
(some flashback)
900yearsGOB - Let's not see each other anymore.
(someone crying)
SCHOOLGIRL - Ah! You've come back.
(someone making an easy joke)
SCHOOLGIRL - Give me 5 million.
(something that sounds like an end scene)

LEE - But... but... What else should I put in?
KIM - Whatever you want, you have carte blanche.
LEE - Rea... Really?!
KIM - As long as it's pretty and a bit fairylike.
LEE : (Wondered face in disbelief)
LEE - Am I really doing everything I want?!
KIM - Yes.
LEE - All the aesthetic stuff I haven't ever been able to fit anywhere else?!
KIM - I'm telling you...
LEE - Uh, a meeting on a pier by the sea, and the wind?
KIM - Yeah, lots of wind.
LEE - A scene with snow at night.
KIM - Perfect.
LEE - People passing each other without recognizing each other, in slow motion and in the rain?
KIM - Yeah, that's the spirit.
LEE - Uh... A stage in Canada?!
KIM - Yes, Canada is very pretty, especially in the Indian summer season.
LEE : (worried look).
LEE - How are we going to explain that they suddenly find themselves in Canada?
KIM - Is it really that important? As long as it's nice?
LEE - Still...
KIM - Yes, you're right, we should come up with something...
LEE : (Thinking about it, he takes out a cigarette and puts it in his mouth. Then he takes out a box of matches and tries to rub one, but it won't light).
LEE - Bloody hell, we're not in a drama, I have the right to light this fucking cigarette!
KIM - I've got it!!!!
KIM - Every time the heroin lights something, it forces the goblin to teleport to her.
KIM - Anyway, let's just say that the Goblin can teleport to wherever he wants.
LEE - But... But why?
KIM - Just... because!
LEE - People are going to scream at the plothole.
KIM - Ridiculous, to find a "plothole", there would have to be a "plot" already.
LEE - Okay okay.
LEE - On the other hand, in terms of dialogue, your script is a bit short.
LEE - Even with my aesthetic scenes, we'll never manage to furnish everything.
KIM - Tttt, no problem.
KIM - All you have to do is take these lines of dialogue and repeat it several times during the episodes.
LEE - Huh?! Those same lines?!
KIM - Yes, yes. Better little and well written than much and badly written.
LEE - Um, it would be better Above all: much and well written, than little and badly written...
LEE - Besides, people will fall asleep, they might miss the lines.
KIM - You're right, don't forget to add flashbacks with these dialogues.
KIM - That way we're sure the audience won't miss anything.
LEE - Scriptwriter Kim, I know you're the highest paid writer on the circuit...
LEE - ... and in a way the best for the producers...
LEE - But I have a feeling your drama is going to be boring to death.
KIM - Not at all, it'll be a blockbuster!
LEE - But a blockbuster needs a thrilling story! Suspense! Cliffhangers!
KIM : (mocking smile)
LEE - While your mess is frozen stagnant stalling!
LEE - Nothing's moving. Everything sounds hollow, it's an empty shell!
KIM - Director Lee, you just gave me the recipe for a western blockbuster.
KIM - I make drama blockbusters! That has nothing to do with it.
LEE - A drama blockbuster must be that shitty boring?!
KIM - Don't worry, I know the recipe.
KIM - Top actors, a good promo, your undeniable talent, screaming songs for teenage girls.
KIM - It's fast food drama. No need for a story, or anything stressful... especially for us.
KIM - We give viewers what they want without skimping on clichés and over-the-top glamour.
LEE - A McDrama'...
LEE - I have a feeling that the MVs on youtube will be even better than the drama...
KIM - That's very good, it'll give us good publicity.
LEE - I feel a bit ashamed.
LEE - We're pulling the whole drama industry down with something like this.
LEE - Plus, we're really taking people for dumb.
KIM - Yah! We're not here to make art.
KIM - We throw the sauce, we collect the money, and the producers are happy.
LEE - Well, since I've got all the latitude to do all I want...
LEE - ... I'm still going to try to do something artistic with this, at least for the images.
LEE - After all, that's the main interest in working with you.


(If spectators found pleasure in seeing this drama, that's the main thing.
I'm not here to spoil the happiness of others, that's why I made a humorous text.
There are some truths in this text, about screenwriter Kim philosophy).

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I want to first preface this review by a few points: 1) I haven't watched the complete drama and am basing this review on the first 6 episodes only 2) This is the first review I've been compelled to write about a TV show (in any language).

I've been looking forward to watching Goblin for a good while now because of all the rave reviews I've been seeing online. The drama appears to be heralded as one of (if not 'The') best Korea has to offer, which I'm quite surprised about. Six episodes into the show, I expected the pace to have quickened and the story to have developed further. To me it appears as though the writer created a promising premise, and an interesting universe, but did not think deeply about the main conflict of the story and how that will pan out over 16 episodes. A story needs to have enough substance to be able to fill each episode effectively. 'The Goblin is cursed with immortality and only his bride can emancipate him from this anguish - but will she?' seems to be as far as the writer got. The painstaking process of waiting for her to make a decision is simply boring and holds no tension beyond 1 or 2 episodes. To me, the show appears to be all style, and no substance.

I understand that not every drama needs to be fast-paced, or each episode does not need to end on a cliff-hanger for a drama to be good. Sometimes, the emotions between two people in love, or the lingering tension created by the threat of something tearing them apart, is enough to sustain interest from an audience. But this only works if the two main leads have undeniable chemistry. Unfortunately, the age difference between the leads kills all the chemistry, and makes it unsavory to watch. The female lead behaves even younger than she is while the Goblin appears too mature and stoic. I feel like I'm watching an Uncle supervise his niece as she frolics about like a child. Even Gong Yoo's superior good-looks is not enough the light the spark here. And I don't blame the actors either - they've done a good job with what they've been given.

Of course, when we have an immortal being like the Goblin, his age difference should be irrelevant because eventually there will come a time when the girl will catch up to his age and surpass it. The writer could have used this idea to showcase a love-story that blossom over her lifetime. But alas, I don't think that's where the show is heading.

I'll keep going for another episode but sadly, this one might be going into my Dropped pile.

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Not for me

Decided to watch this because I've commonly seen people talk very highly of it. Unfortunately, it was not my cup of tea. I gave up at around episode 6 and just read episode summaries for the rest so that I could finish the story without having to sit through any more of the episodes.
The first episode was okay but for me personally, it was not very intriguing. I wanted to drop it but, I had seen this site and so many people raved about it so I figured I had to power through because many people deem it to be "one of the best dramas". So I powered through for a couple more episodes but I just could not get invested in the show. The episodes were quite slow and it felt like the story was taking forever to happen. Unfortunately for me, the "bromance" between the goblin and reaper was just not enjoyable for me. It just felt childish and cheesy to me. The romance of the leads did not sit well with me either. For starters, the goblin literally looks like a 40-year-old to me (No offense main guy but that's just how I see you sorry). I did not enjoy the fact that he literally fell in love with a highschooler. The 900 something year age gap would not have mattered if they had a younger-looking actor but they did not. Additionally, KGE played this role too well and literally looked and acted like a 16-year-old to me. Don't get me wrong I love KGE normally. I just wished they had aged up the main girl character to be older, a college student at the very least. Also, I don't know if it's just me but I think because I watched this drama, but KGE just always looks so young now. In her other works she just always looks like an 18-year-old to me and its hard to believe that these roles have her in her late 20s (Not saying this as a bad or good thing I'm just simply stating it.)
There were some things I did like though! I love the music and OSTs, they are wonderful and added so much emotion to these scenes. I still listen to the album occasionally these days. Stay with me and Beautiful are my favorites. I did like how they traveled, it was really pretty to see. Especially in Canada, the background looked great. I also really like the cover image of her leaning on his back, I'm not sure why but I just think it looks good.
I really wanted to like this show but it is just not for me and I am ok with that. I respect that other people love it though as everyone's preferences are different.

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