Goblin; Guardian: The Lonely and Great God - ❤︎

I LOVE GOBLIN. So much.
Every time I recommend that someone watch K-Dramas, I always tell them to start with Goblin. To me, this has so far been my favorite out of them all. I've watched it multiple times and even bought the DVDs so I could look at it on my shelf. I bought the companion book, which is very very heavy and very very beautiful and very very in Korean. So, once I finally learn how to read and understand the language, I can appreciate the book even more.
Goblin has so many of the things that make K-Dramas great. It has action, romance, tragedy, comedy... All the things that we have human beings have used since the dawn of time to both entertain ourselves and to understand each other.
There is a timeless and tragic love affair at the center of this intricate plot of revenge, regret, and second chances.
The cast that was chosen was superb. They perfectly fit their roles, in my opinion, and seemed to do so effortlessly. The leads both fell in love in such a sweet and innocent way, and it's hard not to fall in love right along with them.
The supporting cast also filled their roles wonderfully. The side stories were just as interesting as the main story, and they were all so intertwined it would be impossible to separate them regardless. There was a wonderful blend of cute moments, intense action scenes, a few pretty creepy moments, some much needed comedy relief, and SO MUCH CRYING. Both me and the characters. Man. So much crying. I'm pretty sure that I aggressively cried for a few hours, minimum.

****SPOILERS BELOW****
****But not the whole thing just basic premise things****








Ok. So. Brief rundown.
Goblin starts off with the main character, Kim Shin (played by the intensely attractive IMO actor Gong Yoo) in a battle hundreds of years in the past. He is a much-beloved General, whose sister is married to the King. Threatened by his popularity, the young King listens to his twisted advisor and has the General killed upon his arrival to the city after long battle. His younger sister is also killed right in front of him before his death. Impaled upon his own sword, his body is left out in a field. His servants come to mourn for him and "god" brings him back to life to roam the earth as a Goblin. His role is basically to help the kind people who need help and punish those deserving.
In the current era, student Ji Eun-Tak (played by the beautiful and wonderfully talented Kim Go-Eun) is struggling. Before she was born, her mother was hit by a car and left for dead in the snow. The Goblin heard the pleas of her mother to save her unborn child, and decides to show her mercy. When the Grim Reaper (played by the enigmatic Lee Dong-Wook) comes to claim his latest job, there is no one there. Growing up, Eun-Tak has the ability to see ghosts. This is scary at times, as the ghosts generally want something from her. The first major punch to the gut comes when Eun-Tak's birthday comes around and her mother is celebrating with her, only to have her realize that her mother is only there in spirit. She says her goodbyes, takes the call from the hospital, and goes out to meet the "Granny" that her mother knew. This scene between her and her mother was devastating and the young actress did such a great job.
The Grim Reaper tries to stop the little girl, but the Granny protects her, claiming that he can't take her as her name isn't on his card.
Years later again, the Goblin returns to Korea and moves into his place, which his "Nephew" (throughout the generations the descendants of his servants have served him all while acting as his family members) is currently trying to rent out to the Grim Reaper. They have a fun busting of heads, while the Nephew Yoo-Duk-Hwa (played by the very cute BTOB member Yook Sung-Jae) is caught in the middle of things.
Eun-Tak struggles while living with her aunt and her two cousins, who want nothing from her except her money and abuse her while treating her like a servant. She is the typical heroine that works so well in K-Dramas, as she works hard, doesn't complain, and is just trying her best. On her birthday, she has a really rough time and makes a wish that involves getting away from her family and getting a job and a boyfriend. When she blows out the candle, the Goblin appears in front of her. He is confused, because surely she can't be the destined "Bride of the Goblin".
She gets away from her family, she gets a job at a chicken place, and her life starts looking up. Her boss goes by the name Sunny (played by the classy and cute Yoo In-Na). She seems apathetic and just spends her time in her empty restaurant, eating snacks and watching tv.
Sunny gets intwined with the mysterious and handsome Grim Reaper, while Eun-Tak's relationship with the Goblin gets more and more complicated.

The past and the present merge as past lives are exposed and magic plays sick games with the characters. Many tears are shed. Many goodbyes are said. Many shocking truths are revealed.
There is pure love at the base of this story, with heart-wrenching sacrifices made on all ends.

There is so much more to be said about Goblin, but the most important thing is just to watch it and enjoy it for yourself. It's an amazing rollercoaster of emotions.