Goblin: The Great and Lonely God (2016)
a.k.a.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Grade:
B+
16 Episodes, 70 minutes each
Viewing
Platform: Dramafever
Ji Eun-tak has been able to see ghosts
for as long as she can remember. It is why on her ninth birthday she
is able to say goodbye to her mother, why she can see a Grim Reaper, and how she hears the whispers
from ghosts that she is the Goblin's Bride. She then lives a difficult
life with an abusive aunt and cousins, yet she manages to stay upbeat
and does well in school. One day the high school senior runs into a
mysterious, slightly annoyed gentleman, unaware that she herself
summoned him. This man, or rather, this demigod has spent nearly an
entire millennium wandering the earth, seeking the one person who can
help him rest in peace. Why is this immortal so miserable, when he
has all the money and time the world has to offer? What sin did he
commit that made the gods punish him this way? And is Eun-tak the
answer he's been seeking?
*This
drama is sad and romantic, yet lovely. Typically I do not enjoy shows
like this, but it is a top-notch production with a well-written score
and an intriguing supernatural element. There is even some
lighthearted humor sprinkled about. I did not love the inordinate
amount of product placement, though. I also didn't love the
historical flashbacks as I dislike the historical dramas in general,
and that did slow the pace quite a bit towards the middle of the
show. The ending was somewhat lacking, as it leaves the viewer with
some important, unanswered questions about the workings of this
fictional world. How is it that ** spoiler alert ** Kim Shin
comes back and retains his powers after the sword is removed? The
script indicated that it was the only thing keeping him alive, but
now that he has returned sans sword – his only means of dying –
does that mean he really is doomed to walk the earth for all time?
Aside from that, if I feel the need for a good cry, I'll watch this
again.*
