Goblin Review: A Timeless Tale of Love, Fate, and Immortality

Title: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Episodes: 16

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Comedy, Drama 

Main Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, Yook Sung-jae

Streaming Platform: Viki, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video 

Image Credit: Wikipedia

What happens when immortality meets destiny? Goblin is a heartwarming fantasy drama filled with poetic storytelling, emotional twists, and unforgettable romance. With its breathtaking cinematography and timeless love story, this K-drama is a beautiful journey through life, loss, and the power of fate.

“Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” is a South Korean television series aired on tvN from December 2, 2016, to January 21, 2017. Written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok, Kwon Hyuk-chan, and Yoon Jong-ho, this fantasy romance series is available to watch on multiple streaming platforms. 

Plot Summary 

Kim Shin, a general from the Goryeo Era, receives both punishment and a blessing of immortality from the God, after being accused of treason due to jealousy of the young king, and is eventually killed by royal decree. To end this immortality, Goblin has to find his bride, who can pull out the sword lodged in his chest and end his lonely life.

Ji Eun-tak, a cheerful 19-year-old high school girl who can also see the ghosts from her childhood, accidentally summons Goblin and discovers that she is his bride. Eun-tak lives with her abusive aunt, who is after the insurance money left by Eun-tak’s late mother, but Goblin helps her to overcome all her hardships while regaining his own will to live.

Yoo Deok-hwa, the sole heir of the wealthy Yoo family responsible for taking care of Goblin, rents a house to a charming Grim Reaper. As a result, they end up living together, which leads to the development of a friendship between them.

Sunny, an attractive owner of a chicken restaurant, hires Eun-tak to work as a part-time employee. Later, the Grim Reaper falls in love with her, and she also reciprocates the same feelings despite his strange nature.

Soon after, Eun-tak comes to know the truth behind pulling out the sword from Goblin and finds herself in a dilemma, as they both have already started loving each other. Fate has brought all these people together for a reason, and that gradually unfolds as the story moves forward. 

My Thoughts 

The writer has crafted a beautiful story that successfully delivers heartwarming emotions. The cinematography of the show was outstanding, with breathtaking visuals and dreamy themes. The performance of the whole cast is praiseworthy for portraying such great characters and showcasing fantastic chemistry with each other.

The fantasy plot of the drama seamlessly blends scenes from the past, present, and future, all interconnected by fate. Although it has a tragic storyline, the show skillfully incorporates humor, making it truly entertaining. The show started great with its fast-paced plot accompanied by romance and comedy, but in the latter half, the story kept getting sad with tear-jerking scenes that somehow slowed the pace of the show.

I enjoyed the adorable romance between Goblin and his bride, as well as the captivating chemistry between Grim Reaper and Sunny, which was delightful to watch. Deok-hwa brought a sweet sense of humor and charm to the series with his carefree, youthful character. Additionally, I loved the friendly bond that developed between Goblin and Grim Reaper throughout the series; it was truly entertaining!

Overall, Goblin is a beautiful blend of fantasy romance and heartwarming emotions with a touch of humor. If you enjoy watching such slow-burning love stories, I strongly recommend watching this series. I utterly loved watching this drama, so don't miss it!

Have you watched Goblin? Tell me your thoughts on it in the comments section below. 

Love watching fantasy series with romance and comedy? Read my review of Strong Girl Bong-soon.

My Rating: 8/10