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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The best Korean drama I've ever watched
Actually, the first time I watched this drama was when I was 12 years old (now I'm 19 years old), then I forgot the entire contents of the story. But then I watched it again at the age of 16 and after that I always watched this drama over and over again.I don't know which part I like the most, because all the scenes have been my favorite for a long time. I like how the actors give their best to their dramas so it makes me like this drama even more, everything they want to convey can be accepted by my heart. I like the beautiful places they show, it makes me realize that South Korea has many places like heaven.
I don't know what else to say, but, I really really like this drama. I hope that when I get old I will still be able to re-watch this drama. I really like this.
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This show had me enthralled from the first to the last episode. It was like a really good book; I couldn't stop watching! I laughed and cried a LOT.
Honestly, this is one of a handful of dramas I have seen that is going on my list of 'rewatches'. Yes, I feel it's That. Good.
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I started watching Goblin with very high expectation but yet, it still surprised me and it just totally blew my mind .. The story is just so beautiful and too beautiful. The heart-aching part was so heart wrenching that I still have tears in my eyes after watching 3 times.
I will skip the review on the acting as the acting is just PERFECT. Each character just fitted on the role perfectly.
The comedy in the drama isn't a lot but the comedy contents are very new. How to say.. the comedy in this drama is more of cute and relax style. The comedy written in this drama wasn't found in other drama before. Everything just very ..... match.
Goblin totally shake the world of drama a big time. I believe this will be a start for 'Goblin' alike story coming soon.
If you are a kdrama fan, this drama is a MUST WATCH.
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•The historic era with a goryeo warrior was an amazing start with all the supernatural elements perfectly blended. The bromance more than romance was total mindblaster with all those quick and witty situations i had my stomach ache laughing immensely.
•This tale was perfect, for me its flawless. I always thought that for kdrama the lead shoud be handsome and beautiful, this drama broke my pretty boy syndrome. Gong Yoo outshined as dukkebi and i became a fan of him. His acting was just awesome. As for kim go eun, i had watched her in cheese in the trap where she played a university student was excellent but here as a high-schooler it left me with speechless. She looked like a high-schooler. I dont understand what kind of makeup the artist do that they actually give you a younger feel. Lee Dong Wook!!! Ouch he was real masterpiece. His eyes were more speakable, splendid acting and expression. And his chemistry with yoo in na was very nice. Next am gonna watch theirs touch your heart.
•Ost is nice especially stay with me.
• As for rewatch i already had watched it thrice.
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STORY
The storyline of Goblin is simple, but throughout the episodes, you get to see different aspects of it. It branches out in a lot of ways, but stays the same until the end. Scenes from the past get repeated a bit too much, but I felt it was necessary because each time they brought some new emotions and even paralleled with scenes in the present time. Story of the past ties nicely with the present (and eventually future). The show doesn't leave you confused and, although it is in times predictable, leaves you wanting to know why certain things happened.
ACTING/CAST
A set of amazing actors who portray their characters so well that you will laugh with them, cry with them and even be agitated by the same things as they are. Gong Yoo is without a doubt perfect for this show as is Lee Dong Wook, Kim Go Eun and Yoo In Na. Others in supporting roles are great as well. All secondary characters actually have interesting backstories that go well with the main story.
MUSIC
The OST is simply amazing. One of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. Each song is beautiful and appropriate for each scene. I find myself playing the OST on repeat a lot. Music is always a big part of shows and here it really emphasizes all the emotions. (Sometimes you hear a specific song and you just KNOW what's about to happen - you will either cry or die of laughter.)
OVERALL
I will most definitely rewatch Goblin. Tbh, it's my favorite drama of all time (probably because it's my first). Honestly, with the writing and the production value, it's no wonder Goblin is a fan favorite. It really touched me and opened my eyes to so many things. It often left me laughing and crying at the same time which no show so far has done for me. Definitely recommend to everyone, even though it might not be everyone's cup of tea. For me, it wasn't just a cup, it was a whole bowl of tea.
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This is my ultimate drama
I remember when I watched this drama for the first time, it was still ongoing. I looked forward to each episode with great enthusiasm. I was so curious about the continuation of the story. When this drama ended, there was a sense of loss in me, to the point that I couldn't watch other drama for a while. This drama has made a deep impression on me, and I can't find any drama like this again, at least until I wrote this review.I love every episode in this drama. It's so good from the start to the end. The story goes really well. It seems that the writer knows where the story is going and consistently follows it. The next important part that also makes this drama memorable is the characters. They all left impression on me, even the extras. Every characters are just right, portray by the right actors too. The chemistry between the leads is one of the best i can find in kdrama.
The production of this drama is also no joke. The production team really gave the best they could for this drama. The cinematography is breath taking, and the soundtracks are just so good. I even still play the soundtracks regularly and it still gives me the feels. I just want to thank the writer, director, actors and production crews for this masterpiece.
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I really love the fantasy/supernatural themed dramas and thought this story was very unique featuring reincarnation, grim reapers, goblins, demigods etc it was very in depth. My only gripe and it is a very small one...is that I found the romance unsatisfying for me. Ji Un Tak seemed so young to me compared to Kim shin that I almost felt uncomfortable. Also Ji Un Tak seemed a bit immature even though she had so many hardships.
The bromance relationship definitely interested me more than the romance, Kim shim and the grim reaper just have such a fun relationship and are so similar it was great. The cast was of course A-M-A-Z-I-N-G especially with Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook.
This is now one of my all-time faves, why are you reading this? Go watch this drama now! You owe it to yourself :)
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I will definitely rewatch this because I miss the characters so much, even after 15 minutes from seeing them lol. I recommend this to ANYONE who likes dramas as is is funny, romantic and have some action! It also teachers a lot of lessons and puts other people's lives into perspective. Thank you so much to the writers as this is my favourite and now I have high expectations XD
10/10
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Hit or Miss
ive seen so many rating of 10's for this drama, it was misleading or just wrong. im fine with the age difference in the drama but it didnt feel like there wasn't any chemistry between the two leads. someone pointed out that the relationship was more of a father and daughter relationship, and i can completely agree on that one.the story is indeed intriguing, but it went nowhere from the episodes i have watched. its like someone thought of a great idea but it kinda fell flat from the true vision that "Goblin" could have been. along with that, the episodes SHOULD not have been an hour long. it felt fluffed up or dragging out the slow pace that the drama didn't really start off with. the first two episodes are the highlight of the 6 episodes i watched, but after that the pace started to begin slow and i just couldnt take it anymore.
after the first few episodes. i sticked it out to see if it would change my mind, but unfortunately it havent and will end up in the drop pile >: but thank you Goblin for ur OST.
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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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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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