Title of Work: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

(Korean:쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes, 16 episodes

Type: Drama

This review contains spoilers.

Synopsis: 8.5/10

Kim Shin, a decorated military general from the Goryeo Dynasty, is framed as a traitor and killed by the young king. Years after his death, he is cursed by the Almighty to stay immortal forever, enduring the pain of seeing his loved ones die as punishment for the soldiers he killed to protect his country. He becomes an immortal goblin, helping people with his powers and being a kind man despite his grieving past. The only way to put an end to his immortality is the Goblin's bride, whose aid in pulling out the sword will end his painful immortality.

Ji Eun-Tak is a bubbly high school student who remains cheerful and hopeful despite her tragic life. She summons the Goblin by chance and their fates begin to entwine. The Goblin's nephew, Yoo Deok-Hwa, leases the Goblin's house to a Grim Reaper and the two end up living under the same roof. Ji Eun-tak starts working a part-time job at a chicken store run by a charismatic young woman, Sunny.

As the lives of Kim Shin, Grim Reaper, Ji Eun-Tak, and Sunny interweave, a deeper story unfolds, as they are not just strangers who met by chance, but people with deep-rooted relations.

World Building: 8/10

For anyone interested in fantasy, historical, modern, and romantic drama, this show is a good experiment. Goblin demonstrated the successful blending of several genres and the inventiveness of authors and producers.

In a tale that will live on in the audience's memories long after it has ended, the show does a fantastic job of examining the fascinating and rich mythology.

You'll be transported back to the Goryeo era in one scene, and then you'll get a glimpse of the future in another. Another is the intriguing and positive present-day period!

You will be able to witness the fantasy aspect in addition to the timeline changes because characters are given superhuman abilities.

They have an immortal Goblin, a Grim Reaper, and a human with the capacity to perceive ghosts.

Overall Impressions: 8.5/10

Throughout the entire drama, there were some truly stunning cinematography moments that I couldn't take my eyes off. Both the aesthetic enjoyment and the conversation in the theater were excellent. I couldn't stop giggling because of the characters' numerous amusing interactions with one another. Especially when Shin and the reaper's traits complement one another and they are compelled to live together at one point in the series. Their comments and back-and-forth were hilarious.

Overall, It's a magnificent story with themes of justice, compassion, and forgiveness as well as true love, friendship, and immense joy. It also has humor, pathos, tension, and romance. From a compelling start to a lovely, fulfilling conclusion, this K-Drama got everything perfectly. It is an incredible series that excels in terms of concept, style, and vision.

Music: 8.5/10

The series' soundtracks were works of art in and of themselves. The intro song was so well-liked that a special recording was done to make a full-length version of it. 'Stay with Me' by Punch and Chanyeol and 'Beautiful' by Crush were equally outstanding.

Extra: If you haven't watched it yet, please prepare tissues for episodes 13 & 16.

https://youtu.be/pcKR0LPwoYs

https://youtu.be/to_5UOAINLY