Iconic...flawed but lovable characters grapple with what is means to live and die and be reborn
This is just the total package: well-developed storyline and character development, iconic cinematography and set/fashion design, flawed but lovable characters who find reconciliation and redemption, funny and touching dialogue, and deep themes of what it means to live and die and be reborn. Chemistry and cuteness of leads is off the chart. And the soundtrack is also A . Buckwheat :)Was this review helpful to you?
My all-time favorite korean drama
I'm just confused how my fave korean drama got 8.6 and I saw several reviews gave this awesome show a low rating. I just don't understand it. I lost count on how many times I rewatched this show because it is SO GOOD. The story, the characters, the soundtrack, the acting were all perfect so I wonder SOME gave this a low rating or maybe they are so perfectionist. For those who are new to korean drama, don't mind those who gave a low rating because they are party-poopers, don't rely on their reviews and just enjoy the show.Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
I wanted to give this a 10 after finishing it but now that I thought about it a bit I just couldn't. Goblin left me with so many weird feelings... the last couple of episodes are very emotional and it's just a bit too much to process right away. The fact that the show ends with the Goblin being immortal for real without any means to eventually die made me incredibly sad. Yeah, the girl gets reborn and finds him again and has four lives left...but what happens after that? Everyone else is either dead or alive without any memory of him - this thought left me absolutely depressed after finishing the last episode. There are also lots of other things that don't really get explained well or at all so that was pretty dissatisfying, too. What makes this show great is the beautiful cinematography, the great acting and awesome mix of drama, intensity, comedy, supernatural and historical and even philosophical elements and of course the bromance. However, the romance was kind of weird...at first there were a lot of fake 'I love yous' which somehow turned into real ones yet this process of falling in love is only comprehensible considering the Goblin because Eun Tak brings so much light and joy and variety into his so far loooooong and kind of dull immortal life, plus she's his destiny and only chance of finally dying (which is why it's even more sad that he had to become immortal for real in order to be with her again). From her point of view...well, he's tall and handsome and basically invincible, sweet and funny and oh, rich... however, there's no real visible or emotionally tangible development of her romantic feelings for him. The kissing scenes are cute but there is no real chemistry, however, things change after he comes back to life and she is 10 years older and obviously more mature. Up from that point the romance becomes tangible, realistic and beautiful and, sadly, also heartbreaking. It's too bad that that period is very short and Eun Tak actually returns to him as a high school student....
As mentioned before, the bromance was amazing and I absolutely loved the dynamic between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper and the development of their friendship as well as the story of their shared fate. Deok Hwa (what happened to him in the end? I was a very frustrated that he kind of got left behind in the last couple of episodes) was also great and there were so many funny moments between those guys that lightened up the otherwise kind of heavy mood this drama mostly conveyed.
As for the secondary couple Sunny and the Grim Reaper...I think their story was a much more relatable and deep love story but for some reason I did not really like Sunny as a character and also felt that there was no real chemistry between them which made their love story kind of a wasted potential.
Overall, as for the acting, I really loved how the Goblin was portrayed although I found it strange how he behaved like a silly love-struck teenager when he began falling for Eun Tak but maybe that was to emphasize that it truly was his first love in over 900 years? I mostly loved how human and how (emotionally) well connected to humanity the Goblin seemed despite being a sort of demi god. I'm not sure what exactly it is but he kind of gives off this calm and serene aura that just makes you feel comfortable just looking at him.
The Grim Reaper was also great and became more lively and loveable with every episode despite his past mistakes.
Looking at Eun Tak not as a part of the main couple but as a character by herself, I thought the acting was brilliant especially the difference between her bubbly high school personality (ok, it is debatable how realistic this is in her situation but it seems a typical thing in k-dramas that poor girls beaten by life remain cheerful and optimistic...), after the Goblin died and she became depressed and after he came back and she seemed way more mature and down to earth even in her 'bubbly moments'.
Soooo, all in all, despite the huge plot holes, actually tragic ending and plain weird romance, this was still one of the best dramas I have ever watched because it made me become so extremely emotionally invested (seriously, I actually had to write this review in order to be able to process my emotions about this!). It's a bit sad that it stayed so much on the surface of philosophical aspects like the whole fate question, death/immortality, true worth of life in itself etc. because in the end, it makes kind of hard to summarize what Goblin was all about. But still, even this weird mix was great and very enjoyable to watch so I can recomment it without any doubts!
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This review may contain spoilers
You get drawn in, so have the boxes of tissues ready, this one's a tear jerker
Have you all read the synopsis and you're feeling uncomfortable because of the age gap? Don't let that cause you to miss on a truly amazing series with excellent acting from the cast, hard work from everyone clearly seen in every scene, and a story that is well written. Also with mature/seasoned (lol very funny bro moments/interactions) male leads! I only gave it a 9, story wise, because of the unfortunate and uncomfortable part of the age gap of the primary couple in the story - 18 going on 19 and 939 (30s-40s male in appearance). The age gap makes it uncomfortable, but I won't give a horrible rating just because it makes me uncomfortable, especially when everyone worked hard to produce such a fantastic series. You see that, as you get to know the characters, there's nothing disturbing or corrupted going on between them. The lead characters Kim Shin (Gong Yoo/Gong Ji Cheol) & Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun) are very respectful of each other, with adorable moments that make you fall in love with them. With this series, I'm pleased to see that although the secondary couple of the Grim Reaper/Kim Woo Bin/Adult Wang Yeo (Lee Dong Wook) & Sunny aka Kim Seon/Kim Sun (Yoo In Na) meet with tragedy, they are not forgotten.At the start of watching this I had to keep reminding myself I was still on episode 1 or 2 as the story got deeper, the characters more real/solid and the drama intensified. Be prepared to be taken on an emotional roller coaster where just as soon as you find yourself crying, you're laughing in the next moment. These actors are incredible! I was hoping there was a season 2 before the end of episode 1. It's so enjoyable, I didn't even realize each episode is 70+ mins long, which I'm grateful for because I just don't want it to end. Also, did anyone see the goblin & reaper design on the pillows/rolled towels in episode 4? Nuggets like that make watching so fun. I'm in love <3 Also actors
Kim Byung Chul (Park Joong Hun [Goryeo eunuch]) and Jo Woo Jin(Kim Do Young [Yoo Shin Woo's secretary] ) favor each other so much I thought there was one actor playing both roles!
Episode 6 when Grim said I love you & Goblin's reaction as well as in episode 7 with the scary movie, those are unforgettable scenes lol Then Episode 11... man all of them!! I cried nearly every episode... The ending brought everything full circle, with all that wonderful, heart-wrenching, tear jerking, suspense filled moments coming to a cheesy but sweet end for the secondary couple and solid start for the primary couple. Though with the primary couple this, unfortunately, brought back the issue of the age gap. I was so happy to see them together but disappointed that the school girl with the a much older man concept came back. Why couldn't they have arranged for them to meet after she finished college? Also, it left us wondering about how things turned out for Yoo Deok Hwa (Yook Sung Jae).
So try not to let the age gap cause you to miss out on a great series!
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This review may contain spoilers
First, and most importantly: I love one (1) doomed, socially awkward, trouty mouth, puppy dog-eyed grim reaper.The mix of genres (fantasy, horror, romcom) were very seamless, creating a precarious world of the living and the dead. With the length of the episodes, the series could develop and redevelop relationships again and again in a way that felt natural--the best example being the Goblin and the Grim Reaper who move from enemies to begrudging roommates to friends.
My only nitpick was that while most of the soundtrack was gorgeous and cinematic, there were a few songs that were pretty saccharine to the point that it was distracting. Not enough to keep me from frantically trying to explain the premise of this series to every person with ears, though.
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This review may contain spoilers
Goblin is a very well crafted show. For most of the series it is a perfect 10. I have to say the highlights of this series is the cinematography, acting, and the witty dialogue. The two male lead actors their bromance is incredible and is my favorite part of the series. The weakest part of the series is the last few episodes. It felt like that the Goblin came back too easily and literally every main character died at one point in the last few episodes. I wished the made the main girl a bit older. It felt weird that she was with the Goblin in high school. Other than those complaints, this show is very well made and very enjoyable. Was this review helpful to you?
I hope people just don't watch it because of the enormous recognition it got, believe me, it's not it overrated, it has everything, amazing CG and scenery, phenomenal set and props, and the amazing work the actors transferred through the screen.
Before watching this drama I had never heard anything about Goblins because where I grew up it's not implanted in my culture if you are in the same situation I do hope you know this story doesn't actually use many characteristics of "real" goblins, the ones in books, most of it is fabricated by the writer, which had an amazing imagination to pull it off so smoothly with a sprinkle of fantasy.
It easily became a drama blockbuster in South Korea without any doubt.
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STORY:
Warning: The beginning of this show is really bloody….might be off putting if you are looking for a lighthearted tale. Goblin is many things but it is NOT FLUFFY NOR IS IT CUTE! The Goblin or Kim Shin is played to PERFECTION by Gong Yoo (yes….adding him to my oppa list). Kim Shin becomes a goblin after he is betrayed by the king and the people mourn his death. He waits for a goblin bride who can remove the magic sword and let him leave mortality…..nine hundred years later (and a lot of good deeds) he meets up with Ji Eun Tak (well done by Kim Go Eun) a graduating high school senior (and orphan), becomes room mates with a grim reaper (HOLY COW – Lee Dong Wook rocked it) and Deok Hwa (Yook Sung Jae…so funny), the latest member of a family who has taken care of the goblin for the last 900 years.
Throw in a funny business owner named Sunny, a mother earth type god, and the big boss god who sometimes comes in the form of a butterfly, and well…..magic……just magic. Some have issues with the age gap between the ML & FL. I think the issue lies in the fact that she is graduating from high school when she meets the goblin and that is a bit much for a few folks. The show steers clear from becoming inappropriate. Perhaps it would have been easier for some if she had already graduated…..but I’m not quite convinced. (However, that weirdness does keep this from being a perfect 10 in my book.)
CHARACTERS:
I can’t say too much about these characters without spilling the beans with some spoilers. Please know that I am just skimming the surface here.
Kim Shin (Gong Yoo): All the broody goodness I love in my male leads and super hilarious to boot. Kim Shin will either make you laugh or cry or sigh, but you won’t be bored….however, just know that the grim reaper will do the EXACT SAME THING! Either way, Gong Yoo….I just can’t imaging ANYONE else playing this part……and the relationship between the grim reaper and the goblin….OUT OF THIS WORLD CRAZY GOOD!
Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun): Her character was all over the place and in a good way. Just when you thought she would be too miserable to deal with….she turns into someone funny, running circles around the goblin and the grim reaper. Her character could have been too sad and too depressing but Kim Go Eun keeps her hilarious and appealing for all 16 episodes.
Sunny & Grim Reaper: Holy cow were these two characters the best in the entire world. Again, avoiding spoilers, I will only say: funny, scary, intense, sad, touching, sweet, heart-wrenching. WATCH THE SHOW JUST FOR THESE TWO!!!!
MUSIC:
I will admit that I am tempted to download the theme song because of the last couple of minutes of episode 2 (WASN’T THAT SO COOL!!!). The music was not repeated to the point of annoying and again…that main song….love it!
REWATCH VALUE:
Oh yeah….I could watch this over and over and over ESPECIALLY THE BROMANCE SCENES…..and there are lots and lots of YouTube videos showing them over and over because they are SOOOOOOOO AWESOME.
Should you watch this? Um Yeah. If all my caps didn’t convince you then…….well, just saying.
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Heart warming story
Ok so.. is one of my first reviews. First which will.be better organized at least. I have watched this drama few years back, but is still on my mind. One of my korean work colleagues recommended it to me, besides Master's Sun.Story
I do not find the story really original, because I have seen many movies and dramas, plus I read many books. But is not cliché either. Somewhere in between, maybe? It starts well, develops in a realistic pace and does not have a rushed ending.
Acting/Cast.
Quite well done with the casting.
I was not really fond of any of the actors at first, cause I never seen anything with them by that time. Goblin was like my second kdrama seen, I think hahaha. But! They captivated me with their character performance and I watched more of their works. In specially the ML. He gave so much emotion 😍
Music
Amazing 😍😍😍
Re-watch? Most definitely!
I highly recommend it to everyone who likes a supernatural romance story, with a realistic development despite the supernatural. If you like also stuff like destiny and fate... Go for it!
I do not talk much about the story or characters, because i do not want to spoil someone's own experience, impression and understanding of the characters. But I must say that Goblin and Death r like LOL... they did make me laugh few times... and I do not laugh easy at all when watching movies or series 😂
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it could get 10 but 9.5 is enough.
I was wondering after watching this drama and rewatched within a week.
everyone will love the love story of goblin and it's bride they will also drop tears for grim-reaper love story.
❤️
Gong yoo my beloved actor.
I watched all his show after watched goblin.
I have to say Yoo perfected his roll as a goblin.
His supernatural activity with grim reaper will amaze viewers.
While I am writing this,
a goblin song playing in the background.
Overall it's perfect love story..
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The story is certainly intriguing in that it keeps you wondering how all the conundrums could ever be rectified; the story portrays a veritable railing agains the Gods if you will. The characters are in a perpetual dance of push and pull with fate and destiny, while watching I always got the mental image of puppets dangling on strings pulled by a kind of sadistic puppet master; what makes the drama interesting is the gradual growth and self awareness of the characters which allows each one to make some decisions which do not appear to be orchestrated by the 'puppet master'.
There is a strong sense of doing good deeds and being kind, especially with regard to goblin, and also with goblin's bride when she makes the ultimate sacrifice. I got the sense that this 'goodness' eventually positively impacted their destiny.
I love the casting, especially with regard to the goblin, the grim reaper and Sunny. Whenever these three were on screen, together or individually, it was absolute magic!
I'm sure I don't need to expound on the genius that is Gong Yoo, he has an uncanny ability to portray his characters so sympathetically, realistically and humanly; he imbued goblin with such pathos, simultaneously making goblin vulnerable, eternally sad yet strong and hopeful all at the same time, he is truly gifted as an actor.
The grim reaper is an absolute revelation, Lee Dong Wook took this character to levels that I feel only he could take it, he seemed made for this role. His sadness is less hopeful than goblin's, he is always resigned to his unhappy fate, while being oblivious at the same time because of his lack of memories. He is the character that shows the most emotional growth in the drama.
Sunny has the appearance of someone without much depth, and yet she turns out to be very perceptive and emotionally intelligent. She seems to already have some knowledge deep down in her psyche even though she's not aware of it in the beginning. she is complex and many layered.
Eun Tak portrays her youth in a cute, bubbly manner and she is a ray of light for the other characters. she does portray some maturity at the end of the drama but I'm never really convinced as I keep seeing the school girl in her.
The story of the goblin and the goblin's bride is a beautiful concept, Gong Yoo plays his role to perfection but in my opinion the writing of the goblin's bride as a young girl really threw me off and I was never able to see the two of them as a convincing romantic pairing. I kept wondering why the goblin's bride couldn't be the same age group as Sunny, writing her as a young girl didn't serve any dramatic purpose and actually took away from the feeling of intense fated love that they were supposed to portray.
Sunny and the grim reaper on the other hand were very well matched, their trajectory was realistic, mature and deeply felt. The fact that their story was so slow in progressing actually added to the depth of their storyline and I found myself wishing they had more screen time.
The goblin and the grim reaper had one of the best bromances I've seen in a long time, their interactions were entertaining, usually goofy and yet still managed to convey their growing strong bond of friendship in a very believable way. I really enjoyed seeing them together, especially when they teamed up to achieve a common goal.
Special mention to Deok Hwa for his perfect comedic timing and refreshing 'irritating little brother vibe'
So overall, I highly recommend this drama, it might seem to drag and go around in circles in some places, but it is definitely well worth the watch.
PS: all the cast have a prodigious amount of beautiful coats!
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