KDrama Review of Goblin (Guardian: The Dark & Lonely God)

This Kdrama review of Goblin, the dark and lonely god will help you in deciding whether you should watch it still, in 2025. Up front though, you should, you definitely should! Watching Goblin kdrama really made me reflect deeply on the intricate balance and order present in the world, especially since as an Indian Hindu, I too believe in ‘life’ ‘death’ ‘the before’ ‘the after’ and the ‘in between’ due to ones karma! The series shapes a different perspective on fate, one that stems from your past life karma. But enough of that, let’s get down to it, shall we?

Now, what would you get if you throw some interesting things together –

Such as, say… a human ‘God’ who has been punished with immortality for over 900 years, a 300 years old grim reaper who has no memory of his past, and a human girl who sees ghosts.

What you’d get is a cracker of a story beyond anyone’s wildest imaginations, and one of my favourite ones at that.

A story that is a, or make that another, masterpiece from scriptwriter Kim Eun Seuk.

A story that makes you laugh your hearts out, a story that makes you bawl your eyes out and a story that makes you live it, like seriously, live it.

So what makes Gobin such a masterpiece? Is it about the story’s a-list writer? Is it about the teaming up of Korea’s famed stars – Gong Yoo, Kim Go-Eun and Lee Dong-Wook? What is it exactly that draws you in?

Well frankly, too many things.

The story is outstanding. It tells of a fateful love that was meant to come together just to fall apart…. the kind of doomed love that creates masterpieces.

Well, first and foremost, this is not a beginners drama. This is not a light-hearted drama for a Kdrama virgin either. It is a drama for people who are looking for good stories, for people who want to feel something, and for people who like deeper character interplay and an upward growth graph in relationships and characters. For this drama delivers on all counts.

It is a story that alternates between modern times and Goryeo era history with ease, a story that makes you feel the hopelessness, the helplessness of doomed love and a story that makes you truly believe, that some God above is really doing all this for entertainment, for its melodrama quotient.

Full marks to the acting skills of the main leads as well as all of the side characters. Even if you tried really hard, with a microscope, you wouldn’t find fault there.

Full marks for the story too. It is quite frankly a genius one.. interweaving historical bits with a modern-day unlikely romance.

Full marks for imagination too. Every little details is well thought of and well sketched out for the audience. The grim reaper’s tea room, Kim Shin’s opening of doors, spring flowers in the middle of winter, the fabled Goblin’s bride, so on and so forth are just some strokes of the writer’s brilliance. And you’ll only know this if you’re as big a fan of hers as I am… following her stories around like a lovesick puppy.

But what this drama does best, or rather writer Kim Eun-sook always delivers upon is the camaraderie between characters… all, though mostly male, definitely male. I bet you you will fall in love with Kim Shin’s, Wang Yeo’s and Yoo Deok-Hwa’s unlikely friendship… the most beautiful and natural threesome if there ever was one!

I rate this drama a high 9.75 and that is only because giving it a 10 would mean that absolutely nothing could be done better in it. There definitely is one thing that could make this drama better – more episodes! Yeah, you read that right!

P.S I have consciously refrained from giving you even an inch of this fabulous story because doing so would break my heart. As one of my top 3 Kdramas of all-time I cannot and I will not do it this disservice. Watch it and that’s the only way you’ll know why.

Goblin is now available on Netflix. Have a look at the short trailer below:

The Impact of Goblin‘s OST on the Drama

The original soundtrack (OST) of Goblin significantly elevated the series, turning each episode into an unforgettable experience. Even today in December 2024, Goblin’s music goes viral as short form video content on Instagram reels and TikToks. It is that much of a cult classic! With 14 distinct tracks, the OST of Kdrama Goblin played a crucial role in enhancing the emotional depth and intensity of the storyline. These noteworthy musical elements truly intensified some of the most iconic scenes in the drama.

Elevating Emotional Scenes

The combination of diverse vocal talents—such as EXO’s Chanyeol, Ailee, and Mamamoo—brought the series’ pivotal moments to life. The songs didn’t just complement scenes; they amplified the emotional resonance of each moment, making viewers feel as if they were living each heartbreak, joy, or suspense right alongside the characters.

Chart-Topping Success

The OST’s success wasn’t just anecdotal; it consistently topped music charts (and that too worldwide, not just in Korea), signifying its wide acceptance and appeal. Tracks that seamlessly blended powerful vocals and evocative instrumentals became synonymous with the drama itself, a testament to their influence on the show’s success.

A Memorably Melodic Experience

Listeners often found themselves replaying the music long after episodes ended, with many fans integrating the soundtrack into their daily routines. This constant replay not only kept the scenes vivid in viewers’ minds but also extended the drama’s impact beyond the screen, establishing an emotional bond that lasted long after the series concluded. Even today, my own ringtone happens to be the Chanyeol and Punch song from Goblin kdrama, and I am most happy to make that public confession 😛

In essence, the OST of Goblin was more than background music—it was the heartbeat of the drama, enriching every moment and cementing the show’s place in the hearts of its audience.

The Goblin OST is features contributions from a range of talented artists, and some of the biggest names in Kdrama music talents. Notable names who lent their voices to this captivating soundtrack include Chanyeol from EXO, Eddie Kim, Sam Kim, Roy Kim, Soyou from Sistar, Ailee, and the group Mamamoo. Each artist brought a unique touch, elevating the drama’s scenes to memorable heights with their harmonious tunes.

The Age-Gap Thingy That Koreans Hate LOL

One of the main criticisms of this outstanding Korean drama was sadly the age gap between the leads, as Korean audiences are notoriously against such ‘love’ stories. There is indeed a most noticeable age difference between Goblin, where Gong Yoo is shown to be over 900 years old, and Eun Tak, a high school student, shown to be just 19. Initially, this gap might seem a bit uncomfortable to some. HBut any initial hesitation will be quickly dissipated when you’re hooked by the characters’ compelling chemistry and the story’s engaging narrative.

Stand-Out Cinematography

What Elements of Cinematography Stand Out in Goblin?

Goblin really takes your TV drama experience up a few notches simply by employing cinematic techniques typically reserved for high-budget films. The series dazzles viewers with its breathtaking visuals that verge on cinematic artistry. Truly, the most captivating visual storytelling!

The lighting and camera angles take turns to evoke nostalgic and romantic effects to the storyline. And best of all, even the sci-fi elements are believable and not too outlandish to sit well with audiences. The series seamlessly incorporates sci-fi elements with visual effects that maintain realism. The magical aspects are brought to life in a way that feels authentic and integrated with the story, rather than separate or overly fantastical.

The choice of filming locations deserves a separate mention for sure, as even today, tourists flock to South Korea to find the places where the movie was shot, especially some of the most iconic and romantic scenes. These locations truly amplify the visual allure of the series. Rich landscapes, such as nighttime buckwheat fields and stormy ocean vistas, are featured alongside culturally rich settings like the French-influenced architecture of Quebec, Canada, all contributing to a rich tapestry that supports the storytelling.