Goblin (2016)

The perfect fusion of fantasy and contemporary, with strong script-writing that allows for well-paced plot progression and stable character growth and characterisation. All the positives are backed up by a cast of hyper-competent actors who seem to be perfect matches for their roles, and a soundtrack composed by god herself. Definitely the drama I would recommend to first-time watchers.

More than just a romance, the story also focuses on the importance of family, the one that you have through blood and birth, but also the one that you make for yourself. Perhaps my favourite parts of the drama were outside of the amazingly written romance portions, fantasy segments and action parts, but the small in-betweens where a family that consisted of a lonely Goblin, his greedy nephew, a Grim Reaper, and a teenage girl got to behave as a family, and eat meals together, tease each other and share advice.

Leia Mais

They say that every book you read, every person you meet and every place you visit takes something from you and leaves something else in return. That’s how I feel about this drama. It’s the best way I can put into words how I feel about it.

First, let me start by giving a little background of my experience with Goblin BEFORE watching it: when it came out, everyone was freaking out about it. I remember it all too well… the youtube videos, fan arts, twitter discussions… I don’t know why but I initially thought I would never, in this life, watch it and love it as much as them. Maybe because I was fairly new to this world and was scared of dramas with historical references? Or did I think it was too complicated for me to understand what was going on? Was I scared because the actors were a bit older than what I was used to? I don’t know, but I simply decided that it was not for me. Years went by. One day, a few weeks ago, I was scrolling down a thread on twitter about funny drama moments and they included a scene from Goblin and I thought “Maybe I should give it a try.” But ended up brushing it off. But a few days later after that, I was on dramatist reading the articles and casually read the “most popular” list. Goblin was (is) there. And SUDDENLY I GOT THIS URGE TO WATCH IT IMMEDIATELY AS IF MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT! And so I did. The destin is a real thing, guys.

ANYWAYS, BACK TO THE REVIEW

Usually, I review each part of the drama, starting with the plot, but for some reason I’m not strong enough to write a full review today. Maybe after I rewatch it (because that will certainly happen). There’s plenty to talk about: the engaging and beautiful- even if painful- plot, the splendid acting and cast who portrayed unforgettable characters, the best OST of all time, the relieving feeling it leaves behind when it’s over. I feel like everyone went through so much that I just wanted them to have an ending- at some points I thought a happy ending was impossible for them. The dialogue is absolutely incredible. You cry and laugh like crazy in less than 5 minutes. The friendships in these are- oh my god. The first episode is the best episode of a drama I’ve ever watched. Like, honestly, the first 20 minutes of the first episode made me cry because of how good those scenes were. And I felt the need to write a live commentary of me watching the rest of the episode, which was a first for me. So here it is, my reaction to the first episode, written by me on Sunday, March 10th 2019:

//COMMENTARY

EPISODE 1
-So… I just watched the first 20 minutes. Literally the best twenty minutes of any drama I’ve ever watched. The war was… mind-blowing, I can’t describe what I felt. The acting is INSANE. No words. Simply no words.
And now I want to learn all about Korean history (even more than before). Great.
-27 minutes in and this little boy made me laugh soooo hard. “Why are you speaking informally to my grandpa? Do you want to die?” HAHAHA so cute
-48:00 … my heart is broken. Will I be able to deal with this drama? I don’t think so.
I am dead. I’m literally dead. This is my ghost writing this.
-This is going to make my Top 5 list, isn’t it?//

Yes, yes it is.
This show will stay very high on my list for a long time, I can feel it.
So refreshing. I knew what would happen to Goblin because I had seen many references to it on social media and basically everywhere? But NOTHING could have prepared me for that scene. It was my first time watching the whole scene and I SOBBED. And then I was happy. I was so happy by the last episode. And then- Oh well, we suffered along with the characters, didn’t we? But I wouldn’t change a thing. By the way, now that I’m thinking about that, a sequel wouldn’t hurt anyone, would it? It would make perfect sense if it was well written… but the perfection that is Goblin shouldn’t be changed. It should just stay as it is and nothing more than that.
I’m so thankful for this drama because I was able to finally get over my prejudice of historical dramas (only if we only got a glimpse of it, I’m more confident and comfortable to watch one of those because I found out I can really love the story even if I’m scared of the genre) and of dramas I thought I would never watch if my life. What an irony. And maybe I'll give Descendants of the Sun a try too! I’m happy that (at last) I know why so many people adored this drama back then and wouldn’t shut up about it and why it remains among so many people’s favorites. I got it. The actors are amazing (both male and female actors!!!) and we will all love them eternally. I got it.
And I had decided to write only a short review with an impactful (and very pretentious) statement but I ended up ranting about it. Oh well, I regret nothing.

Leia Mais

What can I say about this drama....
Many would say this is a masterpiece and I agree with that. I had always for some reason found reasons to not watch this cause even without reading the description of the drama I had a feeling it would be a tragedy I had a feeling I would cry many buckets of tears, but after let’s say 2 months I finally got the courage to watch it.... and as soon as I started I was ADDICTED the start was just amazing the story straightaway started with something that captivates the viewers completely I won’t say what happened since this isn’t one of those reviews that contain spoilers.

Although this drama uses CGI it wasn’t exaggerated or maybe it was just really well done I mean that ship scenes damn.... usually some fantasy dramas use CGI so much that the whole drama looks fake and I mean it’s fantasy obviously it will be fake but it gets to a certain point where it’s almost cringey but this drama was not like that.

The actors did an amazing job they conveyed the characters so well and they had so much chemistry in the drama and in the BTS, I think we really have to give the actors an applause for their crying scenes cause honestly every time they cried I felt it, I remember there was a part that Kim Go Eun cried (she played Ji Eun Tak) and her cries sounded to melancholy and so real the way she gasping for air I myself just couldn’t stop crying with her. There were also many times the actors improvised themselves trying to make the scene funnier or more correspondent to their character they just did an amazing job!

The Director, the film crew, the scriptwriters, the CGI group and oh my god the makeup crew that deserve a huge applause the way they made a young person look old with makeup was just amazing, they did 5 hours of make up on just one person I feel bad for the actress that had to come 5 hours early just to get her makeup done.

The music was also very well chosen they made some scenes so much more emotional or some so much more romantic it was just amazing.

Overall I give the drama a 10/10 they did fantastic with practically everything I hope my review persuades you to watch this drama and let me warn you about the tears that will just flow out of your eyes, I hope your ready! And if your wondering about the ending.... it was bitter sweet.

Leia Mais

This drama was amazing!!!!!
I first hoped that there would be more romance but later on understood that this drama couldn't get more perfect even if it tried. It made me laugh, cry, think, relate, clap my hands and so much more.

Goblin is rlly the definition of lonely and Eun Tak is rlly the best thing that happened to him.

Sunny and Reaper were also rlly amazing. Sunny was an amazing friend and sister and Reaper had the best character arc.
I loved the bromance and all the side stories!
I also rlly liked the friendship Eun Tak had later on with the class rep!! relly cute.
Deok Hwa, his grandpa, and assistant Kim were also a bonus <3

This drama is a classic even tho it came out a few years ago. I loved the so unpredictable ending even tho it left me with questions. (How many lives do they have, why did he come back for a long period even tho the contract said "every first snow/rain etc", will he always look young while she ages and dies and then gets reborn again? hmmmmm).

Leia Mais

although i had a headache (cuz i cried too much), i was so satisfied by the emotion the drama brought me.

everything is great: acting, music, script,... except for the story. i think there are some plot holes but cant tell clearly bcs they will be spoilers. some scenes are too cheesey :( final episodes moving really fast i got a little bit tired.

however, love all the cast!!! theres nothing to say about gong yoo, lee dongwook, yoo inna. they are excellent already. but i am so so surprised by yook sungjae and kim goeun. looking forward to their next films!!

now im going to continue 'touch your heart', watched it last year but dropped at the 10th episode bcs of losing interest. really excited!

Leia Mais

BEST, MOST BRILLIANT, AMAZING KOREAN DRAMA HANDS DOWN!!!! ? IT'S MY TOP FAVORITE AND I WISH THE RATING OPTION WAS HIGHER THAN TEN BECAUSE THIS SHOW IS THE BEST EVER, LIKE EVER! Kim Shin is the most dreamiest person alive. The bromance with him and the grim reaper is the most adorable thing. I THINK EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD SHOULD WATCH THIS BECAUSE HANDS DOWN IT IS THE BEST BEST BEST. THE OST, THE VISUALS, THE PLOT, THE TWISTS AND TURNS, OMG JUST WATCH IT NOW YOU WILL LAUGH, CRY, AND THINK ABOUT THIS ONE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND EVERY NIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP YOU WILL STILL THINK ABOUT THAT TUNNEL SCENE WITH KIM SHIN AND THE GRIM REAPER BYE!

Leia Mais

The experience i got after watching this drama can't be expressed in words. It was one of the best drama i ever watched. First time i felt that it looks like an ordinary periodical love story and am not interested in it. But after reading the plot i give it try thats all. But Overall it was a worth watching for me because this drama makes me cry after the finale episode. The leading actors done their job perfectly. Goblin bride & grim Reaper and lover their romances are awesome.. it was a slow paced drama so the length may be an issue for some viewers... But am ok with it. U also give it a try. You will defenetly fall in love with all characters and also the plot

Leia Mais

Obra maestra!!!!

Maravillosa historia y entrañables personajes, música bellísima, paisajes y escenarios que envuelven al espectador y que hacen soñar! Todo, todo me ha encantado en este cuento lleno de amor, redención y esperanza. Una historia de amor inolvidable, preciosísima, que conmueve hasta las entrañas! Una pareja principal con una gran química! Un bromance memorable! La Second Couple perfecta, fantástica! Tragedia, alegría, humor, suspense, todas las emociones despierta esta joya de kdrama que es, en mi humilde opinión, una de las grandes series coreanas de los últimos años, creo que ya podría considerarse un clásico con mayúsculas. Si dudáis en verla por la trama de fantasía mitológica no dudéis más. Os animo a no perder ni un segundo. Corred a verla! La recordaréis para siempre como una joya cinematográfica muy querida!

Leia Mais

When this Korean drama was aired, I was interested in the first episode. I could not take my eyes off the wonderfully scenes. Watching each new episode I felt like at the cinema, special effects and showing the story was better than many movies that I had the opportunity to see. This drama remarkably shows the thread how the fate of many people can interlace with each other over many years. Music reflected every scene correctly. Thanks to her, you could feel a lot more emotion and feel the same as the actors. If you like Korean drama with a fantasy story, you should watch it.

Leia Mais

If you've just stumbled upon this drama, I would advise to instantly watch it. If you think you would find a comment that doesn't have all 10 stars, it doesn't exist.

OST-
Can I just say, *It's perfect* I cry everytime I hear a song from goblin, either nostalgia or just because song is so good. You should definitely check the song separately.

ACTING-
I like main characters acting, it was light hearted and she was a cutie. She delivered the innocence, and maturity at the same time. The male leads acting was great as well, but I mean it's Gong Yoo. I also loved the Grim Reapers acting, cold yet cute.

PLOT-
It's really good, with many romance plots yet mysteries and tragedies. Side plots were also great. The plot will make you happy yet cry at the same time.

Leia Mais