Goblin (2016)

Hard to Ignore Age Gap

I have to be honest, I couldn't get very far into this drama with the age gap. Of course the Goblin is a nearly 1000 year old supernatural being, however there is a difference between this and other supernatural romances with age gaps that make it less acceptable. Firstly, the female lead starts out as *underage*. The actual actors have a 12 year gap and the man looks like he could be her father which makes it much more awkward in the show seeing the male lead essentially watch the female lead as she grows up. I felt so uncomfortable in every scene where she's a highschooler, a literal child, with a grown man the show is hinting at romance with. Regardless if they don't doing anything before she is older, it's strange to wait until it's legal and to even hint at feelings when she is so obviously a child. Unfortunately the interesting main storyline couldn't distract me enough to ignore and enjoy this drama. Yikes.

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As a Gong Yoo fan, I was gobsmacked.

Okay. Let me tell you this, I am a big Gong Yoo fan. I'm part of the older generation where I get to watch kdramas VCD days. And I've watched all Gong Yoo movies and dramas and knew that he will always be that movie and TV star A-lister.

So I watched this while it was still airing and I am already utterly disappointed within a couple of episodes. I already knew what's gonna happen. The pain they're trying to go through for the Tokkaebi to find someone who will actually and finally can kill him. His bride. Nice premise, but you won't get surprised where it took you because it was set up right at the beginning. Even with the characters. The moment Kim Min Jae's character went into the screen, I knew who he is in the present. Because who else would it be? Everything was just so obvious.

What really made me held on was of course, Gong Yoo, and the adorbs KGE, although I'm not really in love with the ajusshi thingy.

So yes, to give it a chance before going here for ratings, I watched it again, and feelings remained the same, if not even lower. I am so sorry.

The cinematography was top-notch.

The music was also so so so so good. The scoring. The OST. Main OST was an earworm,

But that didn't actually save the drama for me.

Will I watch it again?

Maybe not.

I guess I was really not a fan of writer. Maybe the last drama that I liked from her was Secret Garden, which actually took me three years to finish. I dropped it two times in two years, until I picked it up.

But this, I'm not sure why I held on and was disappointed still.

This is my opinion.

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Way overrated

Honestly this was 1/10 for me, the ending was a bit rushed IMO but the last 2eps gave off lots of good feels. I liked the leads relationship so because of that, I will give this 5/10 even though I think it should be less because it was dragging and boring for most of the 16eps. After watching the whole series, I couldn’t see what the hype/rave reviews was all about except the fact that most of the viewers seem unhealthily obsessed with the two MLs especially with Lee Dong-Wook hence the inflated ratings. This is nowhere near a 8.0 rating much less 8.8 rating, IMO.
I swear to God the delusional castle that most K & C Drama fans have built does host a lot of idiotic individuals. People were literally wailing and crying in the VIKI comment section. How the fuck are you wailing and crying in the comment section about Kim Shin putting his hands on the Grim Reaper in Ep13 (let someone kill your whole fucking family and let’s see how well you react when you are face to face with the person, I’m sure you will hug them because OMG *insert sarcasm* they are so handsome and you even got to be friends with them before knowing). This is a fucking tv series you morons. He was not actually trying to kill ya”alls precious Lee Dong-Wook. Like WTF.
K & C Drama fans will be all up in their feelings when their so called popular and handsome actors are MLs. They will stay bashing the FLs of these actors (deluding themselves with the rhetoric that she can’t act, she’s whiny/clingy or because they feel that she’s not good enough to costar with their precious Male actors) but the MLs are always beyond perfect and above reproach and can apparently do no wrong. These male actors don’t even need to do much or have any sort of great personality, they just need to be “handsome & hot” and viola they are all perfect in all their ways. As a lady I love me some handsome actors and I can appreciate the good looking ones but some “fans” I don’t even call them that, I call them delusional people who take it way too far, little wonder the poor actors/actresses and idols in China and Korea can’t publicize their relationships because of the unstable people that claim to be their fans….
FYI to the above delusional obsessive morons, all your revered male actors won’t read your comments, even if they somehow miraculously do, they won’t care for your trifling thoughts and opinions of them and their FLs, especially when most of them are actual friends with said FLs. So keep wasting your useless time bashing all their FLs in the VIKI comment section, VIKI, Youku, IQIYI etc review sections, here on mydramalist and any other tv series review sites, you will end up just being the one dying of anger and frustration while both FL and ML smile to the bank.
People were bashing this shows FL that she was childish and immature, I’m like she’s literally 19yrs old in the show and the MLs were 939yrs and 300yrs and were both acting childish with each other but surprise surprise nobody was bashing them, instead they will praising them, saying how they had such chemistry and people were shipping them (pure insanity). This level of obsessive delusions and inability to have rational/logical thinking because a guy is so “handsome”, lemme tell you, it’s borderline mental. Very unstable behavior.
And what makes it worse is that, It’s mostly females that you see bashing this FLs. It’s really horrible what women do to each other just because they want to praise and idolize a “handsome” guy that doesn’t even know they exist. Very very sad indeed

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Cringe

I am a person who usually watches shows without bias and I usually just enjoy the story. The first time I read the synopsis I was like "sure why not" with the mindset that the female lead will be much older when she and male lead fall in love.

I particularly did not enjoy how she and the male started their whole love thing when she still wore uniform 80% of the time. I have no problem with dramas where there is an age gap between the characters but I have a huge issue when one of them is a minor and the other sees and views them in a romantic way. So if that ticks you off too, I suggest you don't watch it but if not then go ahead.

The casting was great however, both actors and supporting cast were amazing.

The story is very comedic and keeps you entertained (save for the part where the 1000 year old man falls for a 19 year old).

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When Fairy Tales Meet Modern Media; Perfectly.

When fairy tales meet modern media perfectly. If that is not a good enough hook then I do not know what is, or if my words will persuade you in any manner more.

I highly recommend this show. Well-written, well-acted and well-produced, this show leaves you craving more. With episodes averaging 77 minutes long, it will not be over quickly. Once you get invested it will keep you on the hook, at least it did to me. This show holds dear to my heart and completely surpirsed me with the level of fantasy, drama, and romance that it encompasses. Not only did it do all that well, but it was all-around a brilliant piece of art produced by modern media. The show enlightens those of the fairy tales and history of the country whilst also encapsulating a sweet and melodramatic romance that leaves your heart aching for more.

'Goblin: The Lonely and Great God' is one of those shows that pop up once in a while that proves the mastery of crafting shows. With such a brilliant cast, story, and production in its belt, it is no surprise that this show was and is a masterpiece. The cinematography along with the soundtrack adds to the beauty of the show. Furthermore, it is no wonder the value and popularity of it, either. It proves the level of craftmanship media production involves and how fairy tales meet modern media in a manner that not only engrosses viewers but enlightens those ignorant of the history and tales of a country.

It proves that any old folktale can be reimagined and adapted to the screen for a wider audience. That with the right people with the right skills at the right time it can produce a work of magic.

The show centres around a girl, Ji Eun Tak, who can see ghosts and is the self-proclaimed 'Goblin's Bride' who can end his eternal existence on Earth. Kim Shin is the god/goblin that became immortal after his tragic demise in Goryeo (where he was an unbeatable general of the military). The Goblin's life remains a bleak existence as he watches all those he retains a relationship with - die, for that is his punishment. The simple task of returning the Goblin to ash by removing the sword turns convoluted and messy with the emotional bond the pair develop. Neither can comprehend the harsh reality that seeks them nor the involvement of past enemies that push them together and make the once-simple task an almost impossibility.

The development of the story and the characters intertwine in a manner that suits the title of a fairy tale. Neither production, writing, or casting of the show was skimped upon - everything was done to an extremely high standard. Along with the side characters, that can often get pushed so far to the side that there is no point in their being, in Golbin that is not the case. We meet three very emotionally empathetic characters that hook the viewer almost as tightly as the main two do; Sunny, Yoo Duk Hwa, and the Grim Reaper. It is the progression of all story beats, minor plots, and the development of the side characters that really step the show up a level.

This show when I first went to put it on was not something I thought was going to be brilliant. I thought it was going to be a bog-standard fantasy/drama/romance like most others you see. After the first episode, I still was not convinced - mainly due to the long length of the show and the slight information dump that it gave. But once I persevered I fell in love with it.

Golbin left me in tears of joy and sadness. It satiated a craving for a good quality romance that I had not been able to find in a long time. If any show deserves blind faith it is this one.

In one word this show is ART. It deserves to be seen even by those who wish to criticise it. I have many bits I could criticise and fault, as with anything. As a writer myself, I can see minor parts that should have been developed and whatnot, but even so, this show was one of the best-written pieces of work I have seen in a long time. It reminds me of why I began writing in the first place and what type of writer I want to be.

So if you have the time or the craving for a good show, give it go. It was the perfect piece of media for me. And it might just be for you as well. You never know until you try.

Tee.

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Overused tropes in fantasy genre

I have been watching Korean dramas since my early teens; it has been close to 20 years. I'm genuinely quite sick and tired of the same old plotlines where there are two leads that are bound to end up together, and two supporting actors who may or may not end up together. Writers continue to churn out these repetitive storylines for mindless entertainment to appeal to lonely, horny, swoony, young (and older) women. Goblin, is just another one of these dramas.

I absolutely hated this drama: I actually dropped it halfway around episode 8 and continued with my life for the next 6 months with little intention to return to it. I only forced myself to finish the series so it won't keep showing up in my "Continue Watching" list in my Netflix account.

Its redeeming qualities are the CGI stuff, and the performance of the supporting actors. I thought their love story was slightly more interesting and bittersweet. I was irked by the weird semblance to the awful Twilight series, where an undead male figure falls in love with a teenage girl. EEEWW. Sorry, no matter how dashing Gong Yoo is (I am one of the few who never found him charismatic), I shudder to think how anyone could find this romantic, even suspending all logic.

If you are a newbie into the Korean drama universe, this could be a sample drama for you to let your heartstrings be tugged. But for longtime K-drama watchers like me, I am always looking for something new and refreshing.

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Top Drama

I just finished watching the Goblin Special (lots of behind the scenes moments and bloopers) it reminded me how much I loved this drama so I felt compelled to write a review.
This drama was outstanding for me. It was directed by the talented Lee Eung Bok and it has a level of plot complexity that really appealed. I was hooked right from the start the music and cinematography brought the standard to a high level. In the early episodes the laugh out loud moments were wonderful and the ML's especially good at the deadpan, fast delivery and comic timing.
Special mention: Goblin has the most perfect OST ever!
The script writing is excellent apart from the humour there are also some esoteric ideas that are handled well.
I felt the pace of the episodes was steady, not too rushed and allowed me to care about what was happening. I felt for the characters and cried buckets over the painful parts.
Gong Yoo makes this drama outstanding (yes I am biased towards every role he has ever played) Kim Shin endures so much and does it with dignity (and a great wardrobe) he has lived over 900 years and never been in love so some of his reactions to the FL are quite clumsy and youthful. He has been focused on his plan without a thought for the 'goblin bride's involvement so initially comes across as very unfeeling.
Kim Go Eun is a brilliant actress and as Ji Eun Tak meets Kim Shin when she is a high school student studying to get into uni. She has led a very sad life with almost no support since aged 9 when her mother died. She is very believable playing this 19 year old who has been told repeatedly she is to become the goblin's bride so she latches onto him very strongly when they meet. Later she plays her own age of 29 and this transition is also well developed.
The Grim Reaper (Lee Dong Wook) builds a close friendship with Kim Shin and their antics as flatmates, together with Yoo Duk Hwa (Yook Sung Jae) add some of the cutest and lighter humorous elements and assist later when some of the darker history is revealed.
The rest of the cast are also stand-out for me.
I do think I will rewatch at a later time because there is so much to take in and I must make a special mention that the baddie Park Jung Hun is particularly scary.

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Breathtaking Love Story About Letting Go of the Past

Ever since I began really getting into K-Dramas, the one series that has eluded me is this one. It wasn’t in the US region, and I’d heard so many things about it that I kept trying to figure out a way to watch it. Fortunately, moving to Taiwan put me in a different Netflix region, and I almost missed it again, because it’s under the title, “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.”

My expectations for this series were surpassed in every way. I was slightly worried that the reputation of the series would somehow come up short. It didn’t. This is one of the most charming and transcendent love stories I have ever seen. It’s light, beautiful, and full of laughter and tears. In short, it’s full of Life. And perhaps that is why it has touched the hearts of so many.

The four leads of this series are all captivating and you scarcely want to blink for fear of missing something whenever any of them are on screen. Gong Yoo (Kim Shin) has the smoothest, most soft-spoken, and calming voice I think I have ever heard. He reminded me of Cary Grant, one of history's most romantic and effortless actors. He has such charm that he doesn’t have to do much to be in awe of his performance.

I haven’t seen Kim Go Eun in many things, but this is easily the most vivacious and endearing role that I have seen her in. She plays Ji Eun Tak to perfection. She has such a lovely smile and bubbly personality that you can easily see why Kim Shin is so taken with her. Despite her hardships, she simply oozes Life itself.

Lee Dong Wook, the grim reaper with a past, plays the very heartbroken and wounded soul who somehow senses that he’s done something terrible in his past. I’ve seen this talented actor in several series now. As good as Gong Yoo is at acting with his eyes, Lee Dong Wook shows us every ounce of pain that his character is going through. We feel it. We eventually know of the horrendous things he’s done, but in the end, all we want is for him to let go of the pain.

Finally, we have Yoo In Na, an actress I have only seen one other time in “Touch Your Heart.” She is such a charmer with that incredible smile of hers and her very youthful expressions. Only Yoo In Na can take a somewhat conceited character and make her likable and pleasing. She did the same in “Touch Your Heart” and it’s obviously something she’s a master at doing. In many ways, she’s a character who’s torn between the Goblin and the Reaper, and we somehow sense that she knows this. Perhaps that it also why, despite the pain of the past, she’s the strongest of the three because she’s actually able to let go.

While this is an absolutely endearing love story, the series’ power is its message of forgiveness. Everyone carries baggage around, holding on to the painful experiences of the past with the weights of guilt and shame for the things we’ve done. For the Goblin, this is represented by the sword. For Sunny, it’s the ring. And for the Grim Reaper, it’s his hat. And the glue that binds them, with the wisdom of living a free and carefree life, is Ji Eun Tak.

How long must people continue to suffer before we let ourselves and others off the hook? Punishment does not come from anyone or anything except for ourselves. So, how long will you continue to carry the burden? Release lies in the wisdom and power of forgiveness, which is the process of letting go. Leave all of your burdens behind.

The music of this series mirrors the series itself with light piano pieces and soft songs that always seem to mirror the story, the characters, and even the environment. I loved how part of the series was filmed in Quebec, obviously during the fall season when the scenery is at its most captivating.

The series doesn’t miss a beat with some outrageously hilarious moments. One of my favorites was when the Goblin and the Reaper are trying to figure out how to use a cell phone and the camera that goes with it. Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook had me laughing so hard during that scene! It was priceless.

Korean performers are masters of emotion. The tears that were shed were so powerful and convincing by all four actors, that it had you really feeling those moments of sadness and pain. That is what separates Korean actors from so many others: they make you FEEL it! When Ji Eun Tak loses the Goblin, and she begins to wail uncontrollably on the rooftop, you can’t help but feel her pain and despair. The same happens for the Goblin in the last episode. But alas, all is not lost. No one goes away forever, and that is another aspect of the story that is truly beautiful and what made that final scene so epic.

Goblin is easily one of the best series I’ve ever seen, and at some point, I will certainly wish to sit down and watch it again. Goblin is like sitting at home under a warm blanket, drinking a cup of hot coffee in front of a fireplace while the autumn leaves fall outside in the crisp air with the reminder to enjoy Life and each moment.

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What has already not been said about this show? I was expecting to be disappointed by it as there is too much hype around this drama and that always leads to a rise in expectations. However after completing it, I can say that I totally understand the hype but not without its issues.

I will start with the good:
-Honestly at the heart of the show is the bromance between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper. They have a definite backstory and a connection that we see blossom as the two rely on each other and grow fond of one another.
-Grim Reaper. Yes. That is it. With the most interesting character arc, all the plot lines surrounding him were the most engaging and I would always look forward to his scenes.
-The romance between Sunny and the Grim Reaper is heartbreaking and endearing. They have great chemistry and I could totally see why Touch your Heart was made after this show.
-Strong supporting cast that added to the drama instead of working as an unnecessary filler. Each character had something to add in their own way.
-The humorous parts were well-placed and would help bring a lighter tone after heavy scenes.
-OST. The show is known to have a great soundtrack and it honestly contributes in making this drama better.
-Spot on acting by each member of the cast.
-Last but not definitely not the least, its outstanding cinematography. The colors and locations are just super pleasing to the eye.

There were certain illogical points in the plotline but I won't include any plot-related point in my dislike area. Now coming to my share of problems:
-THE MAIN COUPLE. Just like a few others have mentioned, the age gap here is very hard to ignore. And no, I am not referring to the age gap between the actors; the fact that a 900+ year old Goblin falls for a high school student just did not sit well with me. Their relationship at many points seemed more like a father-daughter duo, with him patting her head, buying her gifts as she squeaks and gets excited, telling her to be back home early and on time, paying for her meals- the list just goes on. It certainly did not help that Eun Tak was written as an innocent, bubbly young teenager and the 'wise' Goblin too lost all his composure around her. The actors of course nailed their parts so this is not on them but just on how the central love story was written. Even till the end, the weakest link for me was their romance plot line. They did have their moments, but that left a very temporary smile on my face unlike the second couple.
-Repeated scenarios, too many flashbacks and heck lot of slow motion shots (particularly between the Goblin and Eun Tak). I know all dramas have these, but this one takes it to another level.
-Lack of screen time for Yoo Duk Hwa and Sunny. These were two very interesting characters which in spite of being a part of the main cast were underutilized in my opinion.
-A lot of the essential and heavy stuff was revealed and given light to after episode 10 (with earlier episodes having repeated scenarios and flashbacks as mentioned above).

One might wonder in spite of not enjoying the main romance how could the rating still be an 8? Well even with my personal problems with it, there were many factors that kept me going and I was invested in the show. I was also very pleased with how the show ended. If you want to watch, give it a try. But if the main couple's interactions bother you in the start, it does not get better. If you can get past it, then there is the epic bromance and the second lead's love story. If the romance fits your bill, then the show will be extremely enjoyable for you.

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I never thought that there would be another drama that could compare to The Healer or Heal Me, Kill Me

but oh my GOD here it is..The Goblin is freaking awesome..If you have not watch it yet I would suggest that you do asap.

The cast was flipping amazing. So much chemistry..

The story line was amazing..I love it from the beginning to the end..I laugh when they did. I cried when they did.

I want to say so much more but it would be consider spoilers..

The sound tracked was amazing..

Would I watch it again. Yes, several times over..

Story 10+
Acting/Cast 10+
Music 10+
Rewatch Value 10+
Overall 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10.....

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