Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
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Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

"A mysterious romance between a goblin and a young human bride."

8.6
Yr 2016
Rt 77m
Status Ended
Drama Sci-Fi & Fantasy Comedy
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

In his quest for a bride to break his immortal curse, a 939-year-old guardian of souls meets a grim reaper and a sprightly student with a tragic past.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 90 /100

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God is widely regarded as a classic of the Korean drama genre. Critics and viewers alike praise its epic scope, emotional weight, and the effortless charm that defines its storytelling. The series is frequently noted for its ability to elicit strong emotional reactions, with many viewers highlighting the frequent, tear-jerking narrative moments.

The production thrives on its strong performances, with the main protagonist receiving specific acclaim for driving the show's appeal. Beyond the acting, the drama achieved significant international success, bolstered by a memorable original soundtrack that remains popular among fans. Whether through its comedic behind-the-scenes moments or its dramatic intensity, the series leaves a lasting impression on its audience.

“It’s epic in its scope, it has some fantastic actors working as its lead, and it has a charm that not every drama is able to capture so effortlessly.”

“I don't know how to explain this but I cried a lot during this series and I loved it! The actors are fantastic and we have drama until the end!”

“Since Goblin: The Lonely and Great God aired through one of the streaming platforms, this drama also caught international attention.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Rakuten Viki
US • CA
Why fans love it

The 939-year-old protagonist moves through centuries burdened by elemental powers and a heavy, immortal curse. This drama balances the weight of eternal loneliness with the mechanics of telepathy and teleportation. It frames a slow burn romance against the backdrop of a tragic past, finding humor when this ancient entity unexpectedly shares a space with a grim reaper.

Gong Yoo anchors a narrative that spends as much time on forgiveness and depression as it does on its fantastical premise. The inclusion of an orphaned student introduces a grounded perspective to the high-stakes world of souls and destiny. As the characters navigate their complex connections and a shared history of car accidents and loss, the show maintains a distinct tone that treats long-term grief with as much importance as its supernatural elements.

Signal Match

Similarity

Where Guardian: The Lonely and Great God overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

suicide poison child abuse regret soulmates depression jealousy general self sacrifice amnesia telepathy kidnapping queen precognition forgiveness teleportation immortality telekinesis reincarnation marriage friendship supernatural afterlife high school love-hate relationship revenge murder romance flashback royalty loneliness family relationships tragedy fate punishment disappearance grim reaper aunt niece relationship best friend bromance historical fiction orphan wedding car accident king older man younger woman relationship historical tragic past second chance death heartbreak mental illness hypnotism tearjerker first love ghost healing power uncle nephew relationship star crossed lovers graduate hidden identity goblin invisibility rich man poor woman past life supernatural phenomena death of wife life lessons interspecies romance time-manipulation immortal cohabitation mother daughter relationship time skip goryeo dynasty supernatural being supernatural power age-gap relationship secondary couple slow burn romance enemies to lovers hidden past lovers separated memory eraser heartfelt part-time worker elemental powers sismance family pressure enemies to friends contract relationship
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
December 02, 2016
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
77 minutes
Origin
KR
TMDB Votes
3,116