Goblin: The Lonely and Great God is probably one of the best Korean Dramas of its season. Not only does it have a roster of amazing actors, but there is something very alluring about the storyline.
It starts back in historical times where the main character Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is a general in the army who is undefeated. He returns home after battle, back to the kingdom as the King’s general only to be betrayed and killed by the King himself out of jealousy, because of his influence on the people in the kingdom and how they look up to him. On the brink of death, feeling anger and resentment for this betrayal, Kim Shin prays to the gods, only to have them respond by giving him immortal life, turning him into the Goblin as punishment for his past actions and the many lives he took on the battlefield with his sword. He is cursed to walk the earth as a god himself, watching as time changes everything around him and his loved ones leave him behind. Tortured by this curse, the Goblin waits patiently for his bride who is said to be the only one who can cure him of this immortal life.
900+ years go by and it is in modern-day Korea that he sees some hope at the end of his lonely existence. He saves a pregnant woman on the brink of death and years later, her daughter who grows up with the special gift of being able to see ghosts, is also rumored to be the Goblin’s long awaited bride. His bride Ji Eun-Tak (Kim Go-Eun) becomes the center of the Goblin’s world.
There is a significant age difference between the pair, which takes a little getting used to, but the charm and chemistry between them is undeniable and you can’t help but fall into their pace. Ji Eun-Tak is bubbly, smart, witty and not afraid to voice her thoughts and opinions. She and the Goblin have a very colorful relationship and their exchanges are engaging. However, the story is not only about them. Throw in a grim reaper (played by Lee Dong-Wook), Sunny (played by Yoo In-Na) and Yoo Duk Hwa (played by Yook Sung-Jae) and you have a star-studded cast that will take you on one heck of an emotional roller coaster.
I am still reeling over the events of this drama. It was suspenseful, angsty and filled with wonderful supernatural elements. If you enjoy these types of genres, then you will enjoy this drama. I highly recommend it.
