The South of Seoul K-drama for October is a popular series from 2016, “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” or “Goblin .” This mesmerizing Korean drama seamlessly blends fantasy, romance, and supernatural elements. With a captivating storyline, rich character development, and beautiful cinematography, it offers an enchanting and emotional journey filled with love, laughter, and heart-wrenching moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Let’s learn more about this K-drama and find out why it was so popular.
Breaking Down The Cultural Knowledge
When you watch a K-drama when living in Korea or plan to live in Korea, you may want to go deeper than just the show. In order to fully understand the context of entertainment and the world around you, plan on looking at not only experiencing the movie plot, but also at the actors, music, and cultural conversation.
In order to make it easier to maximize watching K-Dramas for cultural knowledge, I will provide you with some quick links each month related to the South of Seoul recommended K-Drama watch list. If you catch up on all these details you will become a K-pop culture master in no time.
About “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”
“Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” also known as “Goblin,” aired on the South Korean television network tvN on December 2, 2016. Well-received by both domestic and international audiences, the series consists of 16 episodes. Created by screenwriter, Kim Eun-sook, the series is known for its compelling storyline and talented cast.
The story revolves around Kim Shin, a cursed immortal goblin who has lived for centuries after being unjustly cursed with immortality. Therefore, he longs for his destined bride, whose love can end his eternal existence. However, Kim Shin’s path crosses with that of Ji Eun-tak, a high school student who can see ghosts and has a special destiny. Eun-tak is the “Goblin’s Bride,” the only one who can release him from his immortal life. Alongside them is the Grim Reaper, who is also a supernatural being with a complicated past. The series beautifully weaves together their individual stories, creating a captivating narrative filled with humor, romance, and poignant moments.
In addition, “Goblin” has two titles due to variations in translation and marketing. The drama’s Korean title is “도깨비,” which is transliterated as “Dokkaebi.” However, in English, this term often translates as “Goblin.” Therefore, when the series was marketed internationally, the alternative title,”Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” was used.
About the Drama’s Success
Overall, “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” is considered one of the most successful and iconic South Korean dramas of its time. The series received consistently high viewer ratings throughout its run. Also, the series won numerous awards. Some of the most notable awards include the Grand Prize (Daesang) for writer Kim Eun-sook and Best Actor for Gong Yoo at the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards.
“Goblin” generated a substantial following on social media platforms. Fans discussed and shared their love for the show’s characters, plot twists, and memorable scenes. Also, the drama’s iconic scenes, such as the characters’ beautiful and emotional moments, have left a lasting impact on popular culture, with fans referencing and reenacting them in various forms of media.
About the Drama’s Themes
“Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” explores several prominent themes throughout its storyline. These themes add depth and complexity to the narrative and characters. The main theme of the series is the exploration of immortality and loneliness. Also, the drama delves deeply into the profound emotional and existential struggles faced by Kim Shin, the goblin.
Throughout the series, Kim Shin’s experiences and interactions with other characters explore the theme of immortality and loneliness. This central theme raises profound questions about the nature of life, death, love, and the human condition. Therefore, “Goblin” is a deeply contemplative and emotionally resonant drama.
The Music Of “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”
Whenever a new, popular K-drama hits the screen you hear the music everywhere. Take the time to become familiar with the tracklist and maybe even memorize one for the norae-bang. This will make you an absolute superstar at social gatherings. Below is a YouTube video with the Original Soundtrack from “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.”
Additionally, being able to sing the chorus when you hear the songs in the streets or be able to casually say to a new friend, “Oh, isn’t this the theme song for Guardian: The Lonely and Great God?” creates a wonderful feeling of connectedness to the world around you.
Behind The Scenes Footage Of “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”
After watching the K-drama and becoming familiar with the songs, it’s time to learn more about the cast. Watching the cast in behind-the-scenes footage or interviews can help you recognize the actors and actresses in new dramas or advertisements nationwide. Therefore, knowing about the cast enables you to create a language for understanding the visual world around you. Also, it is fun to watch behind-the-scenes footage and interviews where you can see glimpses of the creation of the drama and the interactions of the actors/actresses on set.
The Food Of “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God”
Food is a recurring theme in “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.” It plays a significant role in the series, often used to convey emotions, create connections, and highlight cultural aspects. Therefore, here are some key points about the food featured in the drama:
- Chicken and Beer (Chimaek): One of the most iconic food scenes in “Goblin” involves chicken and beer, a popular Korean combination known as “chimaek.” This meal is enjoyed by the main characters, particularly Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper, as they bond over it. It symbolizes their camaraderie and the simple pleasures of life.
- Street Food: Throughout the series, viewers are treated to scenes of characters enjoying various street foods. These scenes showcase the everyday experiences of the characters and add a touch of realism to the fantasy storyline.
- Traditional Korean Cuisine: “Goblin” also features scenes with traditional Korean dishes like kimchi, bulgogi, and other homemade meals. These meals often represent a sense of home, comfort, and family.
- Special Occasion Dishes: In the drama, special occasions are marked with elaborate feasts featuring dishes like hanjeongsik (a traditional Korean feast with various side dishes) and other festive Korean foods. These scenes emphasize the importance of family and celebration in Korean culture.
The inclusion of food in “Goblin” serves to humanize the characters, connect them to Korean culture, and add warmth and relatability to the storyline. Food scenes often carry emotional weight, showcasing the importance of shared meals and the simple joys of life, even in the midst of supernatural events and challenges.
Filming Locations from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
If you are looking to recreate one of the iconic scenes from “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” check out these blogs:
2023 K-Drama 101 Recommendations
You can find more popular K-Drama recommendations on the K-Drama 101 recommendations list for 2023. Each month in 2023, we will dig into each of our K-Drama recommendations to give you in-depth information about the series.
2023 K-Drama Reviews
Did you like this drama review? Then, catch up on the other South of Seoul Dramas reviewed and recommend in 2023.
Additional Drama-Related Blogs
If you find yourself falling in love with dramas like so many before you, you may also enjoy these other South of Seoul Blogs:
The KimchiRednecks channel was created in September 2018 by Chuck Whittington and Melissa Edwards-Whittington. They moved to Korea in July 2017 with their three Shih Tzu daughters, Sookie, Minion, and Mayhem.
The YouTube channel started as a way to share their lives here with their friends and families back in the states. They both have a deep love for Korean culture, people, and food and love being able to share that with others.
Chuck Whittington graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelors in Information Systems Management. He has worked in Information Technology roles for over 20 years. Chuck has always had an interest in Korea and has traveled here many times in the past.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christian University with a Bachelors in Bible and a Minor in Elementary Education. She has worked in various roles in customer service and marketing over the years.
The YouTube channel has many interests just like they do because it is an extension of their lives here in Korea. You will often find videos on their channel about daily life in Korea, cooking, foodie adventures, traveling and exploring, computer and tech pursuits, gaming, and working on the Subaru BRZ.
Over the years, many of their friends have joined them for their videos and adventures because they enjoy sharing their lives with those around them. In addition, they add new interests from time to time, like making moonshine in Korea.
Life is about growing and changing, and the longer the KimchiRednecks live in Korea, the more they learn to love this country and culture and all it has to offer.
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