Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017) User Reviews

Gold Standard

[Pickwick12 · 10/10 · 5 February 2017]

Once in a very long while, the stars align to create truly transcendent art on screen. "Goblin" is an example of this, as the maturation of talented writer Kim Eun-Sook blends with nuanced directing, breathtaking cinematography and the formidable acting skills of Gong Yoo and the rest of the stellar cast.

This is great art and great television, regardless of the country of origin. That is not to minimize the South Korean expertise that created it, but simply to avoid the sometimes- backhanded compliment of "great...for a KDrama." It's just great TV, full stop.

I've watched KDramas for about a decade, and this one is the best I've seen. Highly recommended, not just for drama fans, but for all fans of quality cinematic art around the world.

must watch

[Moviebility · 10/10 · 14 June 2017]

I was really hesitant to watch this at first because I'm not really into fantasy stories but since it's gong yoo I gave it a shot and boy did I tell you I regret it? This is so good that I could re-watch it again if it wasn't for the long list of other K-dramas I must watch. Grim reaper and goblin's bromance is undeniably adorable. Kim go-eun's acting is perfect I cried with her.

Don't look for death

[alaningle7 · 10/10 · 16 January 2021]

A warrior has lived for 900 years as a goblin and longs for the end to his suffering. Into his life comes a young student who sees ghosts and is destined by fate to be the goblins bride who can end his suffering. A superb series, great cast, clever story, well paced and an outstanding soundtrack.

Mind blowing and impossiblet o forget

[kbasher · 10/10 · 16 December 2019]

The whole period i watched this series was mesmerised with the characters and the story. One of the best rom-com tv series of all time. After the completion, felt so empty. Planning to watch it again.

K drama's gold series

[esrateva-28424 · 10/10 · 22 November 2018]

Wow! Everything was just wow! I was feeling so touched while watching.. I watched this drama more than 7 times but never get bored

One of the best dramas of all time

[oncebuddy · 10/10 · 28 January 2017]

Goblin is by far one of the best Korean dramas in recent years and this can be seen from its record breaking ratings for a cable TV channel. Goblin,also known as Dokkaebi, is a drama with the main themes of fantasy,romance and melodrama with a tinge of action and comedy. It is about a Goblin called Kim Shin and a nameless Grim Reaper who are connected to each other by their past without them knowing at the start. Other main characters include Ji Eun Tak who is the Goblin's bride, Yu Deok Hwa, and Sunny who is the Grim Reaper's love interest.

Despite some parts being lengthy and bland, it was needed as the viewers have to know the background story between the main characters in their past lives. The story is a beautiful and heartwarming one where sacrifices have to be made like how Eun Tak must pull out the sword in Kim Shin's chest in order to save herself but kill Kim Shin in the process. In the end, it was Kim Shin who forced Eun Tak to pull out the sword due to a dangerous situation(See Ep 13) and as a result, he managed to save Eun Tak by sacrificing himself.

Besides the main story, there is also the story between the Grim Reaper and Sunny and the interaction between the two of them is often amusing and funny. The "bromance" between the Grim Reaper and Goblin is also worth noting as it highlights the impressive chemistry between the two.

Bottom line: Goblin is a must-watch for all Kdrama starters as it has all the ingredients for a good drama. There's a reason why it's rated 9.0 by IMDb.

The best TV show I have ever seen!

[conjurermaster · 10/10 · 23 August 2018]

This is just pure awesome all the way. I mean honestly, it's unbelievable how good this is. I only have minor gripes with product placements, but it's not too serious & without them they couldn't have financed the drama. Pretty much everything is perfection, flawless casting, flawless acting , amazing story, some of the most epic & most emotional moments in TV history. There was that moment when Eun Tak talked about what a great day she had, I don't recall I have ever felt like that watching a TV show or anything else on the big screen really. The OST is out of this world good too, it really helps with the feels.

a heart-pounding universal masterpiece

[aminifatimaaa · 10/10 · 8 December 2018]

Simply amazing. The picturesque cinematography, the soundtrack, the full packed and unpredictable storyline was breathtaking to watch. The drama gave great aesthetic pleasure and the dialogue was beautiful. 'Because the weather was good, because the weather was bad, and because the weather was good enough. I loved every moment of it." The goblin who stays by your side, the bride who loves and remembers him, the days I spent watching Goblin were the happiest.

I cried a river.

[lmerana · 10/10 · 15 December 2019]

I finally watched the final episode's heartbreaking scene after watching it several times since 2016. I love everything about it. I was kinda annoyed with frequent flashbacks but it was negligible. I love that the story is unique and flawless from start to finish. Usually the drama will have good start but bad ending or the other way around. But goblin makes sense on what happened to each of the characters. I love the actors and the supporting actors. Many bashed Ji Eun Tak saying that she is not pretty, but I cannot think of any one for that role that would fit for the character than her. I laughed, I cried, I was in awe every time I watched this Kdrama. It is better to watch this in repeat than watch a new sucky drama.

Overhyped

[louceclarie · 6/10 · 12 January 2021]

I still don't get it what's so amusing about this drama. 6 stars only for the male leads. it's Just a multi starrer cliche Drama. The only good this is the bromance between the two male leads. Talking about Chemistry? Oh it doesn't exist between the two mainly because of the age gap shown. Also i found Lee Dong wook and Yoo in na to be more charismatic. The storyline is full of cliche.

One of Korea's finest dramas

[AJ_McAninch · 10/10 · 28 July 2018]

Funny, touching, sometimes tragic but always turning back on itself--it is romantic; well-written and directed with a terrific cast of some of the best Korean actors. It is a wonderful story filled with humor, pathos, tension, romance, and themes of retribution, compassion, and forgiveness; true love, friendship, and great joy. K-Drama got it right on this one from its gripping introduction to a beautiful, satisfying conclusion. It is an amazing series--a fine accomplishment in theme, style, and vision.

Enjoyable but frustrating

[kaesmith-80597 · 7/10 · 29 June 2020]

I'd heard a lot of good things about this drama and it mostly lived up to expectations. Except for one very significant part: Ji Eun-Tak and her relationship with Kim Shin. I did not for one single second buy into the romantic relationship between the pair, and I didn't want to. Not only is Eun-Tak 19yrs old and still in high school, she's extremely immature which really impacted the vibe. Thankfully Gong Yoo's Kim Shin doesn't come across as skeevy; he seems more like a long-suffering older brother. Given that their 'great love' is a main plot point, it really fell flat for me. Thank goodness everything is was very well done. I laughed a lot, teared up a little and really enjoyed how ambitious the whole production was.

Disappointing story in blinding packaging...

[mlaralot · 2/10 · 29 May 2020]

The story, the photography, costumes, the suffering heros... everything in this show is bathed in a romantic aura that makes you think it is great, until half way through it you realize that this romantic vibe is the only romantic thing about it: The female lead acts like a 9 years old instead of a 19 years old woman, which makes it hard to feel any real chemistry between the main characters. The hero comes out as aloof at best and even cruel to her at worst. I couldn't feel the pull between them and couldn't belive it when they said they were in love. At this point, all the poetic balderdash started sounding pretentious. But there is something really unforgivable: The writer cheats. She delivers a story that leaves the initial problems unsolved and presents them with new ones that are, in my opinion, even worse. The only good thing about this show was the bromance between the goblin and the angel of death was, but I still felt like I had wasted my time. I think people rated this show so high blinded by the gorgeus setting and the charismatic Gong Yoo, whose frame in a turtleneck is quite something to watch.

Can I give this drama more than 10 stars?

[pinky_elevenshi · 10/10 · 28 October 2018]

The best show ever in Fantasy genre. Every scene in this drama is a masterpiece.

My favorite k-drama!

[AnnaPagrati · 10/10 · 20 August 2021]

I don't even think I have the right words to describe this drama. The way you get so close with these characters, feeling whatever they're feeling is just mesmerizing. I don't think I've ever felt this type of connection with characters before. A huge congratulations to the writers. I just adore it!

Magical, intriguing and enjoyable. Unique.

[leahcubed · 10/10 · 27 January 2020]

The male lead character, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is a Goblin. Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) is a young woman who can see ghosts and interact with other supernatural beings possibly as a result of the unusual circumstances surrounding her birth. Destiny comes into play when Ji Eun-tak finds a connection to the fascinating and alluring Goblin.

I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. It had a magical/mythological underpining that was fascinating. It had elements from so many greats it was like one part Harry Potter, one part Princess Bride, with a little Lord of the Rings and a bunch of others. Just great. I liked the interplay between the Goblin and Reaper - they were hilarious frenemies and even had a little bromance going on. The girl was incredible and very likeable. The story was compelling and had you hoping for the best outcome for all.

Awesome!

[mestrada-81927 · 10/10 · 31 August 2018]

I cried, laughed and loved! Must watch! Definitely miss this show!!

Incredible and Powerful Story of Life, Loss, and Love

[fake_moviestar · 10/10 · 1 May 2020]

I am honestly finding it hard to put into words just how amazing and powerful this show was; it is honestly just perfect. The story is so incredible and powerful, filled with layers of meaning and symbology that deserve more than one watch just to grasp the depth of each lesson. The cinematography was gorgeous, particularly the long shots of our main couple. The music is absolutely breathtaking, which is unsurprising as every score by Hye-Seung Nam is incredible. The highs and lows of this show are formidable, because as much as this was a tragedy, it was also a show of the triumph of love, and most surprisingly of all, it was at times laugh out loud funny. The love/hate relationship between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper was unbelievably funny and heartwarming to watch. I can say with my whole heart that this is one of those stories that is life-changing to watch. The breadth of emotion I felt while watching this was the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and at the end of it I can say that it was some of the best television I have ever watched and time very well spent.

The best kdrama i've ever watched

[nanidwilarasati · 9/10 · 22 December 2018]

I've been hooked by kdrama for 14 years and this one hold the top position. I've watched it 3 times already. I think it's because the cinematography, soundtrack, storyline and acting skill of the actors/actress that made this drama different from others. After watching this, your standard for korean drama will be higher than before

Unreal that people think this is great

[big_kmc · 5 May 2019]

Picture every melodramatic possibility for television viewing rammed into scene after scene with no character development or development of any kind whatsoever. Use some special effects, maudlin songs for a cheesy music video effect, good looking Korean actors against a backdrop of mysticism and call it a day. Total garbage. Must be teenagers writing these rave reviews.

Just Good in Actors Choice

[ernasetyan · 7/10 · 27 August 2019]

I watched this drama twice and still confusing why it got 8,7 rate. I have sooo many question about this drama and still left me curious. I rarely fast forward while watching a movie or drama, but i can say it will be 1 episode of slow-mo part if it accumulated, too much and boring. The best thing in this drama is the actors. They did well to represented their caracter although the storyline a bit absurd. Maybe it should be titled Reincarnation instead of Goblin. Only entertained with funny part. First time I watched this drama, the story is just predictable only by watching 3 or 4 episode. So I just waiting for another funny part of this drama. 7 out of 10 for the actors, funny parts, and the soundtracks. I came to imdb to give perfect 10 for drama Healer that has 8,5 rate, and saw Goblin with 8,7 rate and watched again and still confusing why.

ONE IN A MILLION

[spiderdib · 10/10 · 28 June 2020]

I can say it is the best drama I have seen and it relates with my favorite tastes, it is fun but not to the point of caricature, it leaves you thinking and it is sad at the same time but perfectly planned, now I get why it is the most famous drama

lead characters should have been better designed

[moonkara · 6/10 · 9 December 2019]

Goblin is like a feudal aristocrat who is privileged by god and destiny and who used it for material accumulation and kind of subjection. He seems to have lots of time and abilities but doesn't use them to help others that much. It is just one of his hobbies among pretending to read books, buying expensive art, and calligraphying some names or silly letters that are supposed to be poetic. It is just sad that the lead male is not better designed. That may explain the problem with acting, he seems to have difficulties in developing the character. A human living that long, endorsed with powers, would probably be insane rather than blue. He is too rational and earthly, it doesn't fit. He should have been obsessed with his never coming bride-death, stalking and fetishizing her somehow before getting to know and love her. He should have been more badass too. Instead he is like a papa in middle age crisis-melancholy. The girl on the other hand is too pink considering her sad back story. Her childishness is way exaggerated and her cuteness is annoying. But she seems to be acting sincerely and good, so the problem seems again to be the script which builds a kindergarten relationship. A major problem is the chemistry that is supposed to develop between the two. It is told and happens to be, but I don't feel that really. On the other hand, I can feel the chemistry between the grim reaper and the boss, luckily the side characters are interesting, especially the reaper who also builds intelligibly other types of chemistry with goblin and other characters. They tide up the show what could otherwise be really boring. I just think that the reaper had to have a more restricted wardrobe and stick to a gloomy style wearing the same clothes. It is annoying when the characters don't wear anything twice except for the uniforms.

Misleading ratings

[sacred4heart · 3/10 · 27 June 2020]

I love to watch Korean shows, and have watched many of various genres. This one, though. It has a high rating, so I kept watching episode after episode, but their stories just didn't progress. Ok, we know her purpose and we know his purpose, what next and when will it arrive. The story just doesn't move. They are supposed to be a couple, but there's no chemistry, much more because of the poor writing about their relationship. Devoted to each other and that's all. Exactly, that's all! The story just doesn't move, doesn't say anything. I have wasted over 16 hours of my life, watching it consistently to give it a chance to progress, and then it just ended abruptly. I am annoyed.

Pure Gold.

[TheBaneCO3 · 10/10 · 21 August 2018]

It's really special. It definitely holds on to the integrity of a classic as well as the uniqueness of a modern drama.

Only 30 mins into the first episode i decided to ditch everything else and binge.

The cast, cinematography, soundtracks... Everything is just amazing! 100% recommend.