Kdrama Segue: Goblin

I've recently started watching Korean dramas because of quarantine (sorry, books!). 

I'm sharing my journey.

Synopsis from Asianwiki: In ancient times, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is an unbeatable general in wars, but the young King (Kim Min-Jae) is jealous of Kim Shin and kills him. Kim Shin becomes Dokkaebi (Goblin), possessing an immortal life. At first he thinks that he is blessed, but he realizes that he is cursed.

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 (Park Hee-Von) who is destined to die. Meanwhile, the Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-Wook) is unable to find the dead pregnant woman. The woman gives birth to a baby girl named Ji Eun-Tak (later played by Kim Go-Eun). 9 years later, Ji Eun-Tak lives with her mother and is able to see ghosts. One night, her mother suddenly dies. On that night, she meets the Grim Reaper.

In the present day, Ji Eun-Tak is a high school student. She still sees ghosts and hears their whisper of “Dokkaebi’s bride.” She now lives with her aunt’s family, but she is mistreated by them. On her birthday, Ji Eun-Tak sits by the sea with a lighted birthday cake. At that time, Kim Shin suddenly appears in front of her. Kim Shin does not know why, but he can hear her voice and appears in front of her against his will. Coincidentally, Kim Shin lives with the Grim Reaper at the same house.

Now, Kim Shin appears in front of her against his will, whenever she turns off the lights. One day, Ji Eun-Tak tells him that he is Dokkaebi and she is his bride.

Thoughts: Would’ve rated this lower had it not been for the second leads. I also liked the Goryeo backstory and the mythology of Grim Reaper and Goblin’s existence. Could not stand Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun together, sorry. The chemistry felt forced. Oh and the storytelling is painfully slow. I normally expect kdramas to get interesting on the 8th or 9th episode but it didn’t happen here. There were far too many flashbacks and recurring problems. I got to episode 14 before I felt any sort of attachment to it.

Ad placement: noticeable, borderline awkward

Rating: 3/5 stars