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Goblin
TV Series

Goblin

2016Comedy, Drama, Fantasy • 1 Seasons

Woke Score
1.4
out of 10

Series Overview

Kim Shin, a decorated military general from the Goryeo Dynasty, is framed as a traitor and killed by his master, the young King. Years after his death, he is cursed by the almighty to stay immortal forever and endure the pain of seeing his loved ones die as a punishment for the beastly killings he committed in the wars to protect his country. He becomes an immortal goblin, helping people with his powers and being a kind man in spite of his grieving past. The only way to put an end to his immortality is the Goblin's bride, who can see and remove the sword in his chest and end his painful life. Closer to the present day, Kim Shin has waited 900 years for a human bride to end his immortal life. One night, he saves a dying pregnant woman who is destined to die. The woman gives birth to a baby girl named Ji Eun Tak. 19 years later, 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. Kim Shin's nephew Yoo Deok Hwa leases Shin's house to a Grim Reaper and the two end up living under the same roof. Sunny is a charismatic young lady who runs a chicken shop in which Ji Eun Tak works as a part timer. 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.

Season-by-Season Breakdown

Season 1

1.4/10

Kim Shin was once an unbeatable general in Goryeo's military who died a tragic death. He now possesses immortality but is tired of living while everyone else around him dies. For 900 years, Shin has searched for his bride, a mortal who can pull out the sword and end his life. One day, he encounters Ji Eun-tak, a positive, upbeat high school student who can see the dead and has gone through tragic events, yet still stays strong. She claims to be the Goblin's bride who can end his immortal life, but what appears to be an easy task, only gets complicated, as the two fall in love.

View Full Season Analysis

Overall Series Review

Goblin is a South Korean romantic fantasy series built upon a deep foundation of spiritual mythology rooted in Korean folklore. The narrative consistently centers on grand concepts like destiny, enduring love, and personal sacrifice, all heavily influenced by themes of karma and reincarnation. The core conflicts are primarily internal and spiritual, dealing with ancient curses and predetermined fates rather than modern social or political issues. Across the entire run of the series, the thematic focus remains steadfastly focused on a transcendent moral system. Characters’ identities and obligations are defined by actions in past lives and their destined roles in the present. The relationships presented are traditional male-female pairings, featuring distinct but complementary gender roles throughout the story. There is no notable shift toward moral relativism or the introduction of contemporary social critiques; the show maintains its commitment to fate and spiritual judgment as the primary drivers of the plot. Ultimately, Goblin stands as a highly traditional fantasy romance. It weaves an elaborate tapestry of longing, consequence, and predestination, relying on established mythological structures to guide its characters through trials of love and mortality. The series delivers a clear, consistent exploration of fate and enduring connection against the backdrop of beautiful, sweeping cinematography and a memorable score.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

Oikophobia2/10

Feminism2/10

LGBTQ+1/10

Anti-Theism1/10