About Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
Goblin, officially titled Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and known in Korean as Dokkaebi, is a South Korean fantasy romance that aired on the cable network tvN from December 2016 to January 2017. Written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok, the series follows Kim Shin, a decorated general from the Goryeo era who is betrayed and killed, then cursed to live as an immortal goblin. To finally end his endless existence, he must find a human bride capable of seeing and removing the sword lodged in his chest.
Centuries later, Kim Shin shares an opulent home with a charming and forgetful Grim Reaper, an arrangement that produces much of the show's warmth and humor. His search for peace becomes entangled with Ji Eun-tak, a bright and resilient high school student who can see ghosts and claims to be the destined Goblin's bride. As their bond deepens, the story weaves together fate, reincarnation, memory, and the heavy cost of immortality, balancing sweeping melodrama with tender comedy and a celebrated visual style.
Goblin became a cultural phenomenon across Asia and a landmark in the global rise of Korean drama. Its finale drew some of the highest ratings in Korean cable television history, and its soundtrack, fashion, and filming locations sparked widespread attention. The chemistry among its leads, the lush cinematography spanning Korea and Canada, and Kim Eun-sook's emotional storytelling helped cement the series as one of the most beloved K-dramas of its era.