Goblin (2016)

It's pretty surreal for a show to bring change in a person but this stirring show has brought change in me. I could realize the beauty of life, death, love & punishment by this show. The acting was very touching . In my whole life it was the 1st show that made me cry( it was my 3rd Korean drama) Even though I gave myself spoilers & tried my best not to cry, the acting of the cast failed me. Even though there were plotholes & some part of the story didn't make any sense, I'd love to watch this heart fluttering show again & again. The chemistry between the leads was on another level. Definitely worth watching.

Leia Mais

Engrossing (and sometimes gross) -- worth a view!

Obviously, a review a few years than useful to anybody, but here it is!
I searched far and wide for the show since there are so many references to it in various reviews for other shows, and it seemed like a worthwhile effort. I ended up binge watching it (which I really try not to do) -- it sucked me in.
But, to start with, the negatives:
* The age gap thing. It was physically gross. As others have pointed out, the female lead acts very much like a teenager, a young and immature teenager, and the scenes in which the two leads are pushed together for romantic reasons were truly gross. Which is actually a credit to the acting, since in later part, when the female lead is supposedly 10 years older, the feeling disappeared. Still -- it really did make me feel gross to have the romantic scenes between a teenager and an adult.
* I may be the only one, but I did not like the secondary romance -- it made next to no sense. The two actors were wonderful -- but the internal logic of their history was nonsensical.
* The ending. There are a couple of components to my dissatisfaction with it, and they all involve lack of any actual resolution. For one -- the goblin "dies" or whatever it is he does, but then is called back -- and is still a goblin. Wasn't he supposed to die? Does this mean he never dies? And the whole thing repeats three more times?
* The "reveal" of who the grim reaper is was telegraphed so early that it was not a reveal at all.
The positives are what others have pointed out: Engaging story that, overall, holds together logically; good acting; excellent chemistry among all of the actors (not just the romantic leads) -- the wonderful bromance!; the beautiful music.
So, in the end, I am glad that I got to watch it, despite the occasional grossness.

Leia Mais

Not too good but also not bad

This drama is not such extraordinary kind but you won’t get disappointed for watching this because except how they executed the story everything is good enough to spend our valuable time like cinematography, background music and songs, chemistry and romance. Still why I am feeling unsatisfied is everything is easily predictable and also the ML who is 900+ years old acts like 10 years old child (may be to match the FL who is sooo bubbly), or may be because the ML is social outcast kind, if so it is still unacceptable because he was the general of his army and he was matured on that time.
I must appreciate the cameraman, cinematography, choreography, music and songs, so many times I was stunned thinking that which special effect camera they are used in this drama and once again the music and songs with that situation is really heart-felting one. And one more thing what I felt disappointed is when ML disappears she went for some blind dates and she develops feelings to someone(even though he his her loved one but she didn’t knew on that time) even though she was unclear about her previous love and also she knew that she was the bride of some one whom she love very much or may be I interpreted it in a different or a wrong way may be the director intend to show that the love is that kind of magic even though you don’t have memory (about him) but you will have the same feeling with that right person.
In an over all I can only say this is good drama in all aspects but poorly executed.

Leia Mais

Don't lose patience and keep watching. It may kinda seem boring in first few episode

When I first started watching it was pretty boring. But I challenged myself and got through first few episodes. OMG it was so beautiful after that. When you can understand all the things it seems so awesome to you. Please if you're thinking about watching it then please watch it. It's so good. You won't regret it. And about the age difference i think it's cute. I laughed and cried with this show. There was no unwanted scene. Every episode always ends at cliffhanger. There is some awesome twists in the drama. That's all there is to say. Everyone praises the OST of this show. But I didn't found it that amazing. I mean it was okay.

Leia Mais

I just can't get over the age gap

Okay, I want to start off with that this cast is amazing, everybody portraits there character beautifully and the writing, videography and music is done great.
However I can't get myself to enjoy the mainleads storyline, it's weard. I don't think it's romantic and I can't imagine why you would think that it's okay for a 900 year something to fall for a child, A CHILD. It's inappropriate and nothing sexually happend with a minor but still.... Personally it was a complete dealbreaker. (I wanna say I don't think the girls crush or her perspective is weard I completely blame the old dude)
Again every character seems well thought out and portrait lovely, I love the side story's, but the main storyline is just weard and inappropriate. So even though I would probably recommend it because of the amazing cast and the videography, the plot is not okay....

Leia Mais

Goblin S2 anyone ^^?

Goblin is my all time favorite! Everything about this show is just pure unadulterated entertainment! Lets not forget the beautiful visuals that is Kim Go Eun and Gong Yoo! Amazing chemistry from beginning till end. Stellar cast, amazing storyline, melodious music that makes this one of a kind show. The concept is so outstanding you cant help but cheer for everyone. Character growth especially for main cast comes in at the right pace and stays with you. Not to include any spoliers but KGE can make you laugh and giggle but also make you cry like a baby. Im so glad Kim Eun-sook picked KGE and Gong Yoo for main leads.

Leia Mais

Excellent Mesmerizing

Goblin was my first kdrama and I regret not a second I gave to this drama . Everything is so perfect and it's amazing ..this drama.made me fall hard for kdramas but nothing can beat my goblin n grim.

This drama is a must must must watch . If you haven't watched it , you are missing a big deal !

The acting and chemistry is par excellence. Everyone is a delight to our eyes ...

I have left not a single drama of Gong yoo after this drama ...and I have watched Goblin , God knows how many times ...I started this drama after my friend emotionally blackmailed me in watching a kdrama. I started this one for 5 minutes and man ..there was no going back since . I watched it in one day and night and then three times more lol 🤣 ...
It was 3 years ago but today I am.again watching it.

Leia Mais

Almost magical

A story unlike any I’ve watched before. Seeing the relationship grow between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper was the best part of the show for me - many funny moments and many touching ones as well.

The acting was top notch and I was particularly touched by the overwhelming sadness conveyed by the Grim Reaper so I was glad he had a happy ending. His pale outlook fit his Grim Reaper look very well but I was happier to see him in his other character that had a moustache - so tormented but more handsome. The Goblin was a bit too quirky at times (drying his hair while acting like a teenager, singing a love song etc) which I found to be out of character. FL was spot on with her expressions and mannerisms which made for a believable high school student. Cinematography and story telling were well done, particularly how the Grim Reaper works.

But...

I was not comfortable seeing a romance between a student (19) and an older adult (39 for the last 900 years). Can’t be helped since the story relies on the age 9, 19, 29 explanation of when someone is the most vulnerable.

Thankfully, there was the romance of the second couple to pull me back into the show whenever I got a bit unsettled seeing the FL in her school uniform cozying up to the ML.

This drama’s theme song hit the right notes for me. It was haunting yet evoked a mystical aura which I feel really suited the show.

Leia Mais

When I watched this, I had no expectations what the story will be. But after watching ep 1 I got hooked! It was a different and unpredictable story that will really capture the audience's attention. And let's not forget the OST which is also amazing as well.

In terms of the cast they picked and their acting, nothing else need be said as I don't find it lacking on any part.

What I also enjoyed about this series are the amazing production set they used in terms of the houses, rooms, etc of the characters.

If you are however not really that invested in minor details when watching then you may find the story quite confusing. For me, I found it really entertaining as I do appreciate the extra effort of really getting into more on the details.

In all honesty I'd rewatched this series usually on a cold and rainy weather as I feel that it will really compliment the feels and aesthetic of the series.

Leia Mais

Mind-blowing

First, the cast and the acting are superb. Truly, Gong Yoo is perfect for the role of goblin(Kim Shin). The other characters have also shown their charisma. Moreover, I'm in a love with its OST. The OST will definitely touch your heart. Also, This is not only full of sad romance and emotional feelings, but the comedy used in this drama was also epic. Especially, the plot or storyline of the story is so much interesting and heart-touching. I will give thanks to Kim Eun-Sook for writing this mind-blowing drama. I cried more than thrice while watching this drama. Also, I laughed countless times. I have watched many dramas but still, it is a drama which I can't forget just for a moment. You should obviously watch this drama at least once.

Leia Mais

just 8 years late...

After 8 years, I finally sat down to watch Goblin, one of the most popular k-dramas ever. Did it live up to the hype? did it fall flat? Down below I break down what I liked about the show and what I liked less.

What I liked
- Lee Dong Wook with his slutty trenchcoat and funny hat 10/10.
- The show probably has the most recognizable soundtrack around. Hits different.
- All of the friendships in the show, probably the best part of the show tbh. Specially the dynamic between the goblin & grim reaper.
- I loved the character of Sunny, kinda obsessed.
- Loved the themes of death, god, immortality etc. Genuinely interesting
- The overall pacing is slow, but at least it's even which is the most important thing for me.

What I couldn't wrap my head around
- Ok, let's just get it over with and talk about the main romantic couple...it just didn't work for me at all. I normally don't mind age gapes that much, however, the main female lead acts more like a 12 year old than a 19 year old. I like Kim Go eun as an actor and she does a good job here as well, but it's more about how the character is written. I don't get why they didn't just age her up? Go Eun was like 24-25 during filming, there was no reason for her to be 19. They could just have made her a university student and written her in a more mature way and the plot would still make sense. Because of this, the main couple just have 0 chemistry, they act more like very fond siblings.
- Some of the editing and camerawork was a bit iffy at times, not a huge issue for me though.
- The ending seemed a bit rushed.

To be honest, this was a pretty difficult show for me to score, so I settled for an 8/10, even though I was planning on giving it a 7.5/10 first. Goblin for me is a show with a lot of great aspects that do a lot of heavy lifting for the show, but also some critical downsides. I did enjoy this show overall and felt emotionally invested in the characters. Do I get why this is one of the most popular k-dramas ever? yeah I can see it. Is it one of the best k-dramas in terms of entertainment and quality? No, absolutely not. Does it live up to the hype for me? Unfortunately, I can't say that it does, but it's still a steller k-drama.

Leia Mais