Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Were people paid to promote this?

There is no story really to be honest. A grandpa who doesn't look like it falls for a high school girl but Twilight did it better. Perhaps because Pattinson. The casting here was questionable to say the least (apart from the side characters). Episode 1+2 were actually pretty good but then...boredom.

1. There is no chemistry between the leads (FULL STOP). Not to mention the cringy interaction between the overly childish behavior from the FL and the overly fatherly and awkward male lead. The age gap would not have been a problem had there been better acting involved. Actually the FL's approach to her character reminded me of the FL from When I Fly Towards You, only there the chemistry between the leads was 200% solid and the FL's acting spot on. Why this casting here? Did the director order this approach? Just awkward.
2. The bromance works, the side characters and their stories actually succeed in being more interesting than the main story.
3. I am angry because series that deserve first place got overshadowed on dramalist by this mediocre work. And it's not the works fault, they did their best, it's the reviewers fault who are not even trying to be more objective.

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Recomended!!
I really love this movie......
The plot, the actor, even music in the song....
It is really good
The story will make you laugh and make you cry. Not only is the love story epic, but so is the bromance between Goblin and Reaper. I've found that I'm quite fond of this fantasy genre and this has been done so well. I have hardly any criticisms of this show at all because even the flaws faded into nothing noticeable for me. It's sweet, funny, romantic, sad, tragic, beautiful...
The music was perfect and perfectly lovely. I don't always pay much attention to the music, but this show utilized it so well and chose the perfect songs.

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I gave this drama another chance, and I still think it's overrated

I originally dropped this drama because the plot started to get slow and repetitive, but I decided to give it another try.

The premise about the curse and immortality was interesting. Unfortunately, up to about episode seven there wasn't much of a plot. The Goblin was an ancient being with centuries of life experience, but he acted pretty silly quite a lot. The Grim Reaper wasn't much better with his obsession about business cards. These characters should've been portrayed as more mysterious and dangerous. Instead, they often acted like dorks.

The pacing was inconsistent. The plot tended to drag with prolonged angsty moments of reminiscing, crying, and filler scenes. Then, the story would suddenly pick up. The show should've been done in 12 episodes if all the filler was taken out. The last few episodes were unnecessary. Since the villain was already defeated and the sword taken out, there was no longer a conflict that needed to be resolved so the story should've ended there.

The romance was also kind of underwhelming. ML and FL acted more like a niece and an uncle. This was probably because the girl was barely an adult and still in high school. Only after the story went forward nine years did we see adult romantic chemistry with kissing, hugging, and acting like a couple.

The villain and the final resolution was a bit anti-climactic. The flashbacks made him look more dangerous than he actually was, even though he looked pretty darn creepy. He appeared in the present timeline for just a few episodes with nefarious intentions to kill everyone, but didn't do much except threaten some people. Then FL pulled the sword out, ML killed the villain and disappeared. The end. I really expected there to either be a plot twist, a battle, tension, more struggle to defeat the final boss.

The one thing the show excelled at was acting. Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun and everyone else delivered really good performances. No complaints there.

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Beautiful story, acting and OST - ignore age gap concern - prepare to be in your feels.

I hesitated to watch due to research ahead and age gap ppl complained about, but SO glad I watched. 12/10, such a beautiful show.

Truly amazing combination of character and relationship development, with strong respect and plot dev around age gap for ML/FL (I mean, age gaps portrayed like this are prominent in fantasy).

Beautiful cinematography and jaw-dropping OST (soundtrack). The depth of how love / care for another / fate / destiny is portrayed in this made me dehydrate from shedding so many tears by simply being SO touched by this show. 10 year anniversary soon and I can’t believe I just watched this for the 1st time. Will rewatch, which is rare for me.

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? ???? ???? ?? ????...

𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍; 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚙𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚟𝚒𝚋𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚕𝚢, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚘.

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Best drama ever

I Love love love Goblin. The visuals, the music, the clothes. But the best part is the bromance between Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook. They are hilarious. The comic relief balances the tragedy in the storyline really well. And when the two of them work together, they are like the angels of death. It was all so good. I’ve watched this drama multiple times. Some will say that the age difference between the main lead characters is a little on the creepy side (even though the actors are closer in age) so I suppose that’s the only negative criticism. Don’t let that stop you from watching it!

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"sad-love"

"Goblin" (2016), also known as "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God," is a South Korean television series that has garnered significant attention for its unique blend of fantasy, romance, and drama. The series stars Gong Yoo as Kim Shin, an immortal goblin, and Kim Go-eun as Ji Eun-tak, a high school student destined to be his bride.

The narrative intricately weaves themes of love, fate, and redemption, presenting a "sad-love" story that oscillates between moments of humor and profound sadness. Episodes 1 through 15 offer a rollercoaster of emotions, balancing lighthearted interactions with deeper, melancholic undertones. The 16th episode culminates in a poignant and tragic climax, leading to an ending that, while not entirely joyful, provides a sense of closure and leaves viewers with lingering questions.

Gong Yoo's portrayal of Kim Shin has been widely acclaimed, adding to his repertoire of notable performances in works like "Train to Busan" and "Squid Game." The series has been praised for its compelling storytelling and character development. However, it has also faced criticism for certain aspects, such as perceived gender stereotyping and overt product placement.

In summary, "Goblin" offers a richly layered narrative that delves into the complexities of love and destiny, supported by strong performances from its cast. While it may leave some questions unanswered, its emotional depth and storytelling have resonated with a broad audience.

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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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Cause and Effect

Ok, everything that needs to be said has been said about Goblin so this is just me throwing my hat into the ring...
- Gong Yoo & Kim Go-Eun have ZERO chemistry together, like NADA! So, if you are expecting an epic love story you aren't going to get it with these two. In reality, he is actually 12 years older than her, but that's still no excuse. I think that they were cast because they are magnificent actors that are really serious about their craft and this shows in their succinct and selective CV's. But they are so busy concentrating on their acting that they kind of forgot to be human! But I don't think there was much choice of actors at the time. They needed this level of acting to pull off the concept of the show.
Gong Yoo is acting like he's bipolar. One minute he is the war-torn philosopical general from a bygone age the next he's a goofy kid.
Kim Go-Eun, I just find this actress annoying...in everything. Here she is just a 19 yrs old hyperactive schoolgirl and then convincingly a 29 yrs old woman ...I mean kudos for pulling it off, but still no...
Basically, she's looking for a father figure and he behaves like one towards her.
-Lee Dong-wook & Yoo In-na on the other hand do have chemistry and even went on to star in another series 'Touch Your Heart' based on this chemistry. Sadly, nothing I've seen them in after Goblin has been as good. It really did bring out their best performances and you can't imagine anyone else in their parts, but still they are doing better in their careers than the main leads. I think this show set the bar too high!
The couple I ship is:
-Gong Yoo & Lee Dong-wook who win the award for best chemistry in Gobin :) They must have had a great time filming it together. I love their witty repartee.
- I have to give a special mention to Lee El, aka Red Halmoni, as she has also been in 2 of my favourite Kdramas: 'Black' & ' A Korean Odyssey'. Both made after 'Goblin' (talk about typecasting!) Anyway, she totally rocks in this!
-There are quite a lot of similarities between 'Goblin' & 'A Korean Odyssey'.
1. Both female leads can see ghosts.
2. Both female leads end up being sacrificed in the end.
3. Both female leads will only end up with the male lead through reincarnation.
4. One of the leads gets amnesia towards the end, but this is just a plot device to recap and fall in love with their love story all over again. But, not to worry they usually recover their memories within 1 episode!
-Another similarity I noticed was between 'My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho' when Gu Mi-ho starts crying it rains. There is a direct link between supernatural beings & the weather, must be in the mythology somewhere. I find this really poetic.
-Strangely, I get a 'Friends' vibe off the series. It is so knowing, like post-modern playing off the supernatural that makes it such a unique concept, which is not easily achieved. It also makes for such great comedy. There are so many funny scenes. that are just gems. Example: When main couple go to the cinema and goblin is terrified watching 'Train to Busan' a film he starred in just before Goblin!
-However the real star of the show isn't the actors, it is the hauntingly, instantly catchy OST. One of the best, if not the best I've ever heard. It really moved me and was utilised like an actor. Powerful stuff music!

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