Guardian: The Lonely and Great God 2016 ‧ Drama

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (also known as Goblin) is a 2016 South Korean drama that became a massive hit. Here’s an overview:

Plot:

The story follows Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo), a 939-year-old immortal goblin who is cursed with eternal life. He seeks to end his immortality by finding the Goblin’s bride, the only one who can remove the sword embedded in his chest. Ji Eun-tak (played by Kim Go-eun) is a high school girl who has the ability to summon him and turns out to be the destined bride. The series intertwines their fates with the Grim Reaper (played by Lee Dong-wook) and a mortal woman with a tragic past.

Ratings:

The show was a massive success in South Korea, earning record-breaking viewership ratings, particularly for a cable television series. It averaged 12-13% viewership and reached up to 20.5% during its final episode, which is exceptionally high for Korean cable dramas.

Audience Love:

Fans adore Goblin for its unique storyline, stunning cinematography, strong character development, emotional depth, and exceptional performances by the cast. The mix of romance, fantasy, and deep existential questions resonated with many, while the bromance between Gong Yoo’s Kim Shin and Lee Dong-wook’s Grim Reaper was especially popular.

Why Watch:

1. Breathtaking Cinematography: The visual quality, including its filming locations, lighting, and CGI effects, is superb.
2. Strong Cast: Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, and Kim Go-eun deliver captivating performances.
3. Blend of Fantasy and Romance: It offers a refreshing mix of fantasy elements, romance, and heartfelt moments.
4. Emotional Depth: The show touches on themes of love, life, death, and reincarnation in profound ways, giving it emotional depth.
5. Memorable Soundtrack: Songs like “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol and Punch, and “Beautiful” by Crush, became fan favorites.

If you enjoy dramas that mix fantasy with deeply human emotions, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God is a must-watch!