Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 - 도깨비 ‧ Drama ‧ 2016 - 2017
Completed
Afra
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 20, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Goblin is the very first KDrama I’ve ever watched and I’m so glad about it. Honestly, even now that I have watched a few more dramas, I still think that Goblin is the best Drama ever.

First of all, the storyline is very unique and sweet. From the very first episode it pushes you to the edge of your seat and makes you feel with the characters. Although the episodes run up to 90 minutes, I never felt like they were trying to protract the story.
In addition, the actors’ excellent performance make a major contribution to this circumstance. It is inevitable to not feel any emotional attachment to the characters. I can’t even count how often they made me laugh out loud or shed litres of tears.

The chemistry of the two couples is so intense, sweet and tragic that it even made my heart flutter. The Goblin and Eun Tak as well as Sunny and The Grim Reaper are just so sweet together. You can’t get enough of them. Besides that, the bromance of the Grim Reaper and the Goblin is just spectacularly hilarious. In my opinion, it is definitely one of the best parts of this Drama. I replayed their scenes just way too often.

All in all, Goblin is definitely a must see drama. If you haven’t watch it yet… what are you waiting for? You won’t regret it and I’m sure you will love it as much as I do. I can’t even express the emptiness I felt in my heart after finishing this show.

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Completed
PatrycjaBPL
1 people found this review helpful
Feb 11, 2023
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Great but not worth the hype

Are you looking for something that will stick you to the TV screen? Well, you found it! In my opinion scores 10/10 are totally inadequate because the series, although it is really good, does not deserve more than 7. The story is interesting and departs from typical dramas where love and an attempt to save the other person at all costs preside over them. Unfortunately, the execution did not go as well as the producers would like. Why? THE FEMALE LEAD. When it comes to the males - they ware amazing. The chemistry between them was flawless and this part I will never deny nor forget. but Ji Eun Tak played by Kim Go Eun was driving me nuts. Her character was annoying and I don't understand how Goblin would fell in love with her. She was a traumatised child who decided to something fun as help a goblin die.

That's in short here but I speak more about this drama on my blog :) feel free and welcomed to check it out ^^ https://my-asian-dramas.blogspot.com/2021/05/goblin.html

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Completed
Kmed
1 people found this review helpful
Apr 30, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Not worth watching

I'll admit that I watched it recently, 5 years after it aired and I may have enjoyed it more had I watched it then, the beautiful scenery and production would've blinded me. But since it's not the case and kdrama since then have a better production so it's not the only high budget drama anymore, I'll say it really wasn't worth watching.

The story didn't move at all, they spent so many episodes going back and forth, and they would go as much as 5 episodes without nothing substantial happening. The story could be condensed in a 1h30 movie, I'm not sure there was even a story worth telling to begin with.
The second leads helped me get through the show, their storyline was a little more interesting, but the second part of their story was a little boring to.
The bromance was on point though.

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Completed
AimlessBiscuit
1 people found this review helpful
Feb 1, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
Just the perfect drama for me!

I had my reservations on watching this drama at first but, oh boy am I glad that I resisted. I was hooked since the first episode and never did it fail to surprise me as the story progresses.

This is one drama that doesn't have love triangle storyline, no forced or guilty feeling romance (which is rare for korean dramas not to have, and that's what I like about this drama). What you will see are just sweet and even funny romance scenes.

The cinematography and music are simply perfect. And the chemistry among all the cast is also great.

For those who have not seen this drama, what are you waiting for?

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Dropped 5/16
pnjgc
8 people found this review helpful
Apr 5, 2020
5 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 1
Overall 1.0
Story 2.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This show was definitely not worth watching.
1) Cinderella complex - the female lead was frustratingly dependent on the male lead. Didn’t see any good character development in her.
2) Awkward chemistry - no build up to the romance. Portrayal of the gap in itself was really awkward.
3) Extremely slow - gave up watching in the middle of the show with how little the progress was on the story.

The music and cinematography were good but those factors weren’t even enough to save this show.
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Dropped 6/16
Soula
5 people found this review helpful
Jul 10, 2018
6 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 6.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
I originally tried watching Goblin about a year ago and I just couldn't finish it for some very specific reasons. My mother saw some clips from Goblin and really wanted to watch it; I remember some really great parts when attempting to watch Goblin the first time and so I decided to give it a second chance to see if maybe I would like it better now. Unfortunately, I still don't like Goblin, which really bums me out because I loved DOTS, which was written by the same person....
It's not an issue of plot, it's more an issue with the main female protagonist for me. She comes across as an immature, whiny girl. I found her character completely annoying and entirely unrealistic when it comes to pairing her with a 700+ year old war general. It wasn't an issue of AGE for me, but rather, how her character was written. For example, in Cinderella and the Four Knights (a lovely watch, by the way), the main female protagonist is sweet, innocent, and overall, happy and good-natured. Even though both female characters in Cinderella and the Four Knights and Goblin had similar "Cinderella" circumstances, the writers executed their characterization very differently. Ultimately, while I recognize that the writer for Goblin was trying to get a happy, innocent girl despite her unfortunate circumstances, in comparison, I think Cinderella and the Four Knights female MC was so much better. She was someone I could respect, root-for, and empathize with - I just couldn't feel any of those things for the MC of Goblin.
I really couldn't move past the female MC in Goblin because of her characteristics that I mentioned above. And it really sucks because I really liked the other aspects of this drama. The Goblin has such an interesting story and history. The Grim Reaper was entertaining to watch. The interactions between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper were HILARIOUS. I also really enjoy Gong Yoo's acting and he's extremely attractive, which is a plus! But I just couldn't get over the insta-love and unrealistic romance between the girl and the Goblin.
Again, I'm really bummed and I really really REALLY had hoped that I would like this drama on the second try, but I guess it just wasn't in the cards.

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Completed
thepresent
1 people found this review helpful
Jul 31, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Post-Goblin feels >> empty. I don't think Goblin would have been great had it been for the actors and the chemistry between them. Who doesn't love teleportation to a new country, living comfortably in a house made for a millionaire, knowing the grim reaper by first name?

Scenes will have you laughing and crying uncontrollably, leaving you with a melancholic feeling once the show ends. I would definitely recommend this show, not only for the amazing cinematography but also for the well-sequenced soundtrack. A fairy-tale never to be forgotten. ??
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Completed
RumiQ
1 people found this review helpful
Apr 8, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I have seen a few dramas but this is still the best of all!
The plot is so creative
The songs are to love even to put in itunes!
The actors are amazing!!! ;-; grim reaper is so handsome
The quality of the serie is very good!

Gotta love it gotta rewatch over and over again!!!
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Completed
shockedfrown
1 people found this review helpful
Sep 8, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 3.0
Troche sie meczyeam. Watki poboczne byly czesto ciekawsze niz ten glowny. Duzo ladnych scen. Glówna bohaterka irytujaca i dziecinna. Postaci Goblina i Zniwiarza bardzo dobre.
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Completed
mika
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 26, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0

just 8 years late...

After 8 years, I finally sat down to watch Goblin, one of the most popular k-dramas ever. Did it live up to the hype? did it fall flat? Down below I break down what I liked about the show and what I liked less.

What I liked
- Lee Dong Wook with his slutty trenchcoat and funny hat 10/10.
- The show probably has the most recognizable soundtrack around. Hits different.
- All of the friendships in the show, probably the best part of the show tbh. Specially the dynamic between the goblin & grim reaper.
- I loved the character of Sunny, kinda obsessed.
- Loved the themes of death, god, immortality etc. Genuinely interesting
- The overall pacing is slow, but at least it's even which is the most important thing for me.

What I couldn't wrap my head around
- Ok, let's just get it over with and talk about the main romantic couple...it just didn't work for me at all. I normally don't mind age gapes that much, however, the main female lead acts more like a 12 year old than a 19 year old. I like Kim Go eun as an actor and she does a good job here as well, but it's more about how the character is written. I don't get why they didn't just age her up? Go Eun was like 24-25 during filming, there was no reason for her to be 19. They could just have made her a university student and written her in a more mature way and the plot would still make sense. Because of this, the main couple just have 0 chemistry, they act more like very fond siblings.
- Some of the editing and camerawork was a bit iffy at times, not a huge issue for me though.
- The ending seemed a bit rushed.

To be honest, this was a pretty difficult show for me to score, so I settled for an 8/10, even though I was planning on giving it a 7.5/10 first. Goblin for me is a show with a lot of great aspects that do a lot of heavy lifting for the show, but also some critical downsides. I did enjoy this show overall and felt emotionally invested in the characters. Do I get why this is one of the most popular k-dramas ever? yeah I can see it. Is it one of the best k-dramas in terms of entertainment and quality? No, absolutely not. Does it live up to the hype for me? Unfortunately, I can't say that it does, but it's still a steller k-drama.

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Completed
Bubu
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 6, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I loved every episode of this drama,especially OSTs, casting,main characters. Every single moment was beautifully shown. Love story and chemistry were amazing! I love first couple's romance,it was naturally and I felt they understood each other great. Second couple's romance was also great, otherwise it couldn't be, there is Lee Dong Wook. :) In this genre this is one of the most lovable and watchable drama and I advice everyone to watch this drama.
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Completed
Katie
1 people found this review helpful
Jul 15, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0
Goblin is definitely worth the watch as the story is very unique - I didn't think that I would enjoy it so much.
Despite the episodes being very long (which it didn't feel like), it really was enjoyable.
The low rewatch value is due to the fact that the episodes are 1hr and 30mins long, but this should not refrain you from watching it. I think it is a must-see.
I would rate the cast as 12/10... but you know it doesn't work like that.
It was really fun to recognise the references made about actual kdrama actors and even some kpop groups ^_^
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Guardian: The Lonely and Great God poster

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  • Score: 8.8 (scored by 163,408 users)
  • Ranked: #177
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