Goblin (2016) Review: Immortal Longing, Perfectly Pitched

Is Goblin worth watching?

Yes. Goblin is the gold standard of Korean fantasy romance, a lavish, witty and heartbreaking series whose blend of myth, comedy and grief has rarely been matched. Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun and Lee Dong-wook lead one of K-drama’s finest ensembles, and Kim Eun-sook’s writing makes every episode feel like an event. Its one real caveat is the age gap in the central romance, which begins while the heroine is still in high school and sits uneasily with some modern viewers.

What is Goblin about?

Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) was a celebrated general in Korea’s distant past, betrayed and killed, then cursed to live on as an immortal goblin, a guardian spirit with a sword still lodged in his chest. After more than 900 years of watching everyone he loves grow old and die, he wants only to end his existence, and the only person who can remove the sword is his destined human bride.

Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) is a cheerful, lonely high school student who has always been able to see ghosts, and she is convinced she is that bride. Complicating matters, Kim Shin’s new housemate is a grim reaper (Lee Dong-wook) with no memory of his past life, who falls for a spirited chicken restaurant owner, Sunny (Yoo In-na).

Goblin, also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, was written by Kim Eun-sook and is a South Korean series in Korean. It is a single, complete season of 16 episodes, first broadcast from 2016 to 2017.

A love story haunted by mortality

What makes Goblin special is its emotional depth. Beneath the fantasy and comedy lies a meditation on grief, memory and the pain of living forever while others pass. Kim Shin’s loneliness is palpable, and the idea that love could be both his salvation and his ending gives the romance a bittersweet charge.

Gong Yoo balances weary melancholy with playful charm, and Kim Go-eun brings warmth and resilience to Eun-tak, a young woman who has survived hardship with her humour intact. Their chemistry is gentle and genuine, built on banter as much as destiny.

The bromance and the second romance

Goblin’s secret weapon is its supporting cast. Lee Dong-wook’s grim reaper, awkward, fastidious and heartbreakingly sincere, forms a comic double act with Gong Yoo that is among the funniest pairings in K-drama. Their bickering over the house, food and each other’s habits provides some of the show’s best scenes.

The reaper’s romance with Sunny is equally compelling, carrying its own mysteries and emotional stakes, and Yoo In-na is a bright, confident presence. Together, the two love stories give the series a rich structure, with comedy and tragedy balanced across the ensemble.

Lavish production and a few flaws

The series looks stunning, with cinematic photography, sweeping historical flashbacks and romantic scenes shot in Quebec City that became iconic. The soundtrack, including several songs that became major hits, amplifies every emotional beat.

Its weaknesses are minor but noticeable. Beyond the age gap, some later episodes lean heavily on melodrama and fate-driven twists, and conspicuous product placement occasionally interrupts the mood. A few plot mechanics, particularly around the rules of the afterlife, are convenient rather than rigorous. None of this dims the show’s power, but it keeps it from absolute perfection.

Who should watch Goblin?

It suits fans of fantasy romance, melancholy love stories and K-dramas with lavish production values, and it is a fine introduction for newcomers to Korean television. At 16 episodes, most running over an hour, it is a satisfying binge. It deals with death, grief, child abuse and suicide, though rarely graphically, making it suitable for teenagers and older.

For more in the same spirit:

• Doom at Your Service for another bittersweet fantasy romance about a supernatural being and a mortal living on borrowed time.
• Tale of the Nine-Tailed, a fantasy romance rooted in Korean folklore with more action.

Discover more in our fantasy section.

The verdict

Goblin is a landmark of Korean television, a fantasy romance that is funny, lavish and profoundly moving. Its age-gap romance and occasional melodrama are real caveats, but its performances, writing and emotional power make it an essential watch.

Rating: 5/5