Also, yeah the relationship between the leads can be uncomfortable or a turn off to some people, specially when he treats her so much like a kid sometimes. Like i get it, she is but bro don't remind us that much if u want this to work for your audience 💀.
Overall i enjoyed the drama a lot but i gotta accept that it's very very far from perfect, and that's ok!
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This review may contain spoilers
oh boi, where do I even start with this drama? I remember watching the first episode all the way back in 2016 when it was still on air and back then I wasn't really feeling it, adding it straight to my "maybe I will finish it one day. MAYBE.." list. that one day happens to be today and I can tell you that I'm honestly so glad I decided to give it another chance. the story was such an emotional rollercoaster, one minute I was laughing and the other I was about to cry but that's what made goblin so enjoyable to watch - it never got boring, from the beginning until the very end. there were some moments and scenes that I didn't particularly love and found a bit cringy but those were overnumbered by the high-quality ones that made it so worth to watch.
I had no choice but to give the cast 10/10 because the chemistry was simply great, be it the lead couple or the second lead. and, god, how could I not mention the goblin-reaper bromance, it was one of the reasons why I decided to watch it, after all, there's no wonder why I heard so much about it - I know I keep repeating myself but they were great.
the OST fitted just right and always added the right mood to the story. I couldn't go for 10 stars tho because even though I loved like 99% of them there was this one song that really annoyed me haha. I'm not sure why. maybe because it was playing every time there was something shitty happening lol.
this part does contain a spoiler but I just have to say it - as much as I enjoyed the story, in general, I felt the ending could have been much better. in the last episode, after the car accident happened they kept mentioning something about angels and I really really wanted eun tak to come back as one and live happily ever after. from the way they put it I didn't really understand what actually happened - was she human? did her mom die again? maybe it was explained there but I just didn't get it because I was too emotional and sad that it's ending however this is one of the things that really made me anxious and the reason why I'm not going to go all out and give it 10/10.
I'm definitely sure that eventually I'm going to watch it again and I would recommend everyone to give it a shot. you can't go wrong with this - trust my words, it's worth it.
now, this is not about goblin but I would like to mention that I just started watching "touch your heart" where our familiar and beloved second lead couple is starring. I watched many things but it never happened to me to watch the same actors play a pair in two different dramas. and it's really weird to see them play roles so different from those I used to see them in. I'm loving it so far tho, hopefully, it's going to be just as awesome as goblin was.
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This review may contain spoilers
? My Eternal K-drama: A Love Letter to Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) ❄️
I’m writing this here on kisskh, but no words could ever fully express how much Goblin means to me. 🥹 It’s been 8 years since I first watched it, and it still holds the #1 spot in my heart — untouched, unchallenged. ✨ This drama isn’t just a story... it’s a part of me now. I’ve rewatched it so many times that I honestly lost track, so I didn’t update the rewatch count here — please forgive me! 🙈 But every time I revisit it, it feels like home again. Every snowfall, every line, every moment just hits.The bromance between Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper is EVERYTHING. 💀🕯️ Their dynamic was hilarious, touching, and genuinely one of the best male friendships I’ve ever seen on screen. From awkward roommates to ride-or-die soulmates — I laughed, cried, and absolutely adored them. Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook were the heart of this emotional rollercoaster, and their scenes together made the pain more bearable and the laughter more golden. 😂🖤
And of course, Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak… oh my heart. 💔🌨️ Their love story was tragic, ethereal, and deeply moving. The way she called him “Ahjussi”, the way he looked at her like she was the light in his eternal night — I can’t describe how utterly beautiful their chemistry was. Ji Eun-tak wasn’t just a character; she was hope, she was healing. Kim Go-eun and Gong Yoo were pure magic together, and they made me believe in fate, miracles, and love beyond lifetimes. 💘☂️
Goblin is not just my favorite K-drama — it’s my emotional support drama, my standard, my forever pick. 💫 Even after all these years, “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol and Punch is still my ringtone — and hearing it still makes my heart ache in the best way. 🎧😭 I’ll never stop loving this drama. It's a masterpiece I’ll carry with me always — in every snowfall, in every quiet moment, and in every part of me that still believes in something greater than this world. 🕊️💭
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Let’s weigh The Lonely Shining Goblin on our show beam balance and see what makes then show a praise-worthy, MUST watch drama.
Good Weights
Rollicking Comedy: Goblin is high on emotion and relationship but it is not short on comic scenes. Comedy scenes in the show were performed earnestly that it had to elicit rollicking laughter. Be it the grim reaper and the goblin’s banter or Eun Tak’s innocent demands from the goblin or Deok Hwa’s unreasonable needs, everything was hilarious. In a drama mostly depicting human values, the reasonable dosage of comedy provided the much-needed edge to the show.
BRomance: Though the romance on the show was decent it was the ‘bromance’ between goblin and the grim reaper that stole the show. I have not seen two male actors share such an easy yet fiery chemistry on-screen for a long time. Their banter and fights were hilarious. It broke my heart to see them hate each other for a brief period towards the end because I really enjoyed seeing them together.
Perfect Cast: I have to say that the experienced cast on the show did a phenomenal job towards making the show what it is. The sincerity with which the cast performed was evident on-screen and the results are well-deserved. Even the supporting cast looked convincing in their roles. The casting of this show was one of the best I have seen in Kdramas.
Magical Music: The show’s music is simply enchanting. In fact, the OST titled ‘Round and Round’ became such a big hit with the viewers that the show makers had to officially release it even when the producers had no intentions of keeping it in the original album. Of all the songs on the show ‘Stay With Me’ and ‘Round & Round’ are my most favourite songs.
Bad Weights
Viewers may find loopholes in the story but as far as I am concerned those minor little things did not bother me a bit. The overall content was so stupendous that I have no complaints whatsoever.
I give The Lonely Shining Goblin 4.8 out 5 rating. I have never given any drama this high marks till date (not even my most favourite dramas) but Goblin deserves such high marks as it excels in every department be its story, screenplay, cast, direction, music and every single thing that completes this drama. I personally vouch for this drama. DO NOT MISS Goblin for anything. Go and watch it now.
Originally posted on Alphagirl.in.
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The legendary Goblin and his bromance
This drama is genuinely soo good even after years1) The child actress in the first episode is soo excellent. She's an amazing actress.
2) The production quality of Goblin is excellent but the first few episodes also make it clear that the direction has also been masterfully done.
3) Story starts unfolding slowly and tbh, I am not into the romance at all here. Most people aren't. This drama is all about supernatural quirks of these unserious characters in a serious storyline
4) The villain did look like a leech that will stick to you until he destroys you so kudos to him
5) The second couple is adorable.
6) Music, ah yes! The music is excellent in this drama. It has the power to take you back in time
7) All three characters had excellent chemistry with each other and everyone had a great comic timing. The humor is the fun part of the drama
8) The romance that develops much later in the drama after the leap is quite beautiful as well. You see the FL as the woman who knows what she wants and you are able to see the depth of her feelings as well
Overall, this drama is very special and the blueprint to a lot of fantasy dramas that came after it.
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Good diversity of characters and personality. Actors and their performance were Ok. My favorite duo was the Goblin and the Grim reaper. Their scenes are great fun.
The soundtrack was fantastic and fitted well with the drama.
I would like to re-watch this in the future. Overall an enjoyable experience.
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But man. Oh. My. God. I get it now. I understand all the high ratings. I understand the love for this drama. I understand it all.
This drama was just too high quality for me. It is a masterpiece, through and through. Everything about it. A few points:
- Stunning scenery & cinematography
- Gorgeous soundtrack, beautiful (just put on Winter is Coming.mp3 or And I'm Here.mp3 and I’ll be a wreck)
- Quality storyline
- Slow and steady pacing
- Great acting
- Superb chemistry for our main 2 romantic couples (and bromance couple)
I took my time watching this show in order to savour its beauty. This show was such a rollercoaster. Since there is a lot of angst, when our characters smile, it is like seeing the sun come out after years of rain. You’ll have the fluffiest scenes of all time that you are unprepared for and then more angst comes and smacks you in the face. But god I loved it all - it made me feel SO many things. I had never seen two characters that encapsulated the word ‘soulmates’ like Kim Shin and Ji Eun Tak. Those lovers deserve the world and more.
My final thoughts are the immense satisfaction and gratification for allowing myself to watch this paragon of a drama.
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a história em si é mto boa
conta a história de uma menina que em um dia muito triste de seu aniversário, faz um desejo e o Globin acaba escutando.. com isso, eles acabam se conhecendo e ela percebe que sempre que faz um desejo ele aparece. Todavia, ele tem uma espada no coração que apenas uma única pessoa pode ver, e essa pessoa é ela, mas, essa espada pode trazer a morte dele.é uma história de fantasia, romance e bem engraçada, gostei, mas não achei incrível como todas as pessoas acham, até porque levei um tempão para terminar.
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This review may contain spoilers
A fantastic drama minus the love line of the main leads if I'm being honest. If the writer just focused on the story of Kim Shin, Wang Yeo/Grim Reaper, and Sunny then it would have been meatier. I just find their story more engaging and ripe with conflict starting from 900 years in the storyline. But well, what's a KES drama without cheesy romance, right? Also, the chemistry between the cast (sorry, main leads not included - I just can't see/feel it) is superb! The bantering Goblin and GR, Deokhwa and his samchons, Sunny and GR, even Sunny and the Goblin. The overall concept and story are done well. I'm even invested in GR's tea house. I think that if GR has a drama of his own, focusing on the souls coming to his tea house, I'd watch it. From the few scenes we've seen, it was both heartwarming, funny, sad, and sometimes infuriating. Who could forget about the dog who waited for his/her pawrent so they can both go to the afterlife? It also touches on the concept of life and death and rebirth, how in life, we are presented with choices and it is us who ultimately chooses which to take. The angst between GR and the Goblin, and of course, GR and Sunny are well done as well. You understand each character and why they chose to do the things they did. At the end of the drama, I just can't help but feel something bittersweet about the Goblin. He made his choice and that entails being alone forever when the time comes that Eun Tak can't reincarnate. The drama just left a taste of sadness.
I remember we were in Korea when this drama was airing. Everywhere we go, I hear the OST being played. It's one of the few dramas that I liked all OSTs. The songs really left a mark and it was used well in the drama. Even now when I hear Stay With Me, I still feel a little bit of sadness.
It's not a perfect drama but it's good in all the right places.
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Curious and different
There is originality to this series that is mesmerizing. The storyline is gripping, emotional, exciting and mysterious - all at once. The male actors have also done an outstanding job and their emotions are worn on their sleeves masterfully. That said, it is not perfect. The female lead with her childish and immature behaviour is frequently annoying. However, what is most difficult to digest is why there was a need to bride-match a high schooler who behaves like a 12-year-old with a man who is in his mid-30s and has lived for over 900 years. It is this dichotomy that somehow really becomes and stays a thorn in the viewing side. Comments could be made regarding the skillfulness of the main actress, but perhaps this is fully a matter of personal opinion. And then there is the matter of the ending - what a letdown. To get our hopes up only to be so brutally disappointed in a manner that made little to no sense - it was a true storyline letdown. It is still a pleasurable must-watch for lovers of Korean series.Was this review helpful to you?
It was actually amazing and good ngl, but rlly overrated
A small review without spoilers -It was nice good, humourous and all but it's overrated, overrated part makes it even worse, but yet the drama was good the chemistry between the leads was amazing, the bromance was to die for... But you'll be disappointed tbh, overall it's a above avg or a mid drama
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This is an honest review
It started off rlly well, it was funny, romantic, broo the bromance 🤌🤌🤌, the main leads were literally the story was going really well, it had me almost in tears and had me laughing it was going really good.
The relationship between the main leads was developing really well, loved the cool guardian and grim reaper vibes.
Loved how they both cared for eun tak.
It was a nail biting, romance, it makes u so excited to watch the next episode.
Ngl everything was going well the relationship between yoo in na and going yoo was going well siblings rivalry and all.
But lol there's always a but from the moment lee dong wook was recovering his memories it started to go down hill
Why did kim shin hate Wang yeo sm, I hate how Wang yeo was left as a sinner and how he blamed himself,
When did lee dong wook and yoo in na ever have a proper couple screentime.
After all this, the two reincarnations of couples were stuffed in 8 frickin minutes like how what tf do u mean, and bruh if kim shin is immortal, ji eun tak is a human she's Bound to die someday, how many life's will she take on to be w someone immortal.
No proper storyline tbh
the first half was chef kiss🤌🤌
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