[Drama 2016-2017] Guardian: The Lonely and Great Goblin 도깨비

[Guest ireumimolla]

8 hours ago, hairuchii said:

 

4. The ghost said that she died from a traffic accident. The most common cause of death in this series seems to be traffic accidents. I'm beginning to entertain the thought that traffic accidents are divine manifestations of things being set right. Eun Tak's Mum died in a traffic accident. Eun Tak was almost involved in a number of traffic accidents - first, she struggled with those gangsters in the SUV and the car swerved dangerously then; second, she was almost 'killed' by our Goblin in a traffic pile-up; third, she almost 'died' in a bus accident. There are also other souls / ghosts in the plot who have left this world after they have been involved in a traffic accident too. The evil man who ran over Eun Tak's mum in the first place; the discovery of the first female ghost after her husband (her killer) has been in a traffic accident with our Grim Reaper..

Perhaps there is a possibility that the Paju ghost used to be the goblin's bride, but she died before she met the Goblin....?

 

@hairuchii Sorry for cutting your post, I just quoted the part I'm referring to. Now that you mention this point, I was reminded of this particular scene in Ep 8 when the Reapers wondered if they should cause an accident that was supposed to happen. So maybe you're on about something when you say that a traffic accident is one way the Reapers use to set things (i.e. life/death) right.

I want to also say a big 'THANKS' to everyone on this thread. I especially enjoy reading all the different analyses that you lovely bunch of people post on here. It just makes watching the drama so much more enjoyable and time between episodes seems to pass by more quickly as well!

ALSO, IT"S FRIDAY!!!

And we all know what this means!

TGIF, nothing can bring me down today muahahahahaha

 

[packmule3]

20 hours ago, theseasasleep said:

 

I love your post. Particularly your point on the word "listen". Shin made that the cornerstone of his life as a goblin, didn't he? He listened to people and chose if and when to steer a life, to enter a moment of their despair and let them know they were heard. Aw, this "listen" really gives even more fantastic layers to Shin for me. 

 

Thanks.  

I saw that @drmjs wrote that you’ve good insights. Do you mind tagging me when you post? Thanks!  Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of time to read all the posts here, so I read only those where I’m tagged for (and some I must ignore.)

As of Episode 8, the writer has been able to give substance to Shin’s character and I’m relatively happy. Take the Subway PPL, for instance. 

I heard that people were howling at the Subway sandwich product placement (PPL) in Episode 8. I agreed at first. The PPL was flagrant.  

(Honestly, my other problem here too was my taste buds. Subway sandwiches aren’t as savory as those from Firehouse Subs, Pot Belly, and Jimmy Johns. The chain “invented” the concept of fresh sandwiches, but it’s been stale now after 40? 50? Years. Their roast beef, for example, tastes so much like cardboard that the veggie fixings become the highlight of the sub, not the roast beef. Ugh!)

But after closer scrutiny, the PPL actually worked for me. In Episode 1, Shin gives the original young DH a rice ball. He halves it then shares it with the starving child who originally refuses the whole riceball lest Shin will starve. Then, in Episode 4, Shin gives an abused Parisian youth half of a baguette. Then, in Episode 8, he gives a suicidal man half of a footlong.   That PPL made me sit up and notice what was going on. 

I don’t know if there’s a Korean version of the western idiom “Half a loaf is better than none,” meaning it’s better to get what is offered, even if it’s LESS than what’s desired, than to get nothing at all. 

But to me, half the rice ball, half a baguette, and a six-inch sub, mean that Shin is offering “half” of a miracle. He allows the bread recipient to achieve his share of the other “half” of the miracle on his own. 

In a way, he is not AS fatalistic of a god like the cabbage grandma, who “grumps that Mom should have died with the girl in the past, instead of living on.” (source: dramabeans).  

Wait a second. Intermission, please. I’ve to tag @romanov and @maryofbethany my Christian choir group (just kidding, ladies). 

Spoiler

Hey, Romanov and Maryofbethany. Do you sense anything familiar about the bread? Shin offers bread. Not money, clothing, or rainbows.  

It’s the bread of life metaphor!  lol. 

Moses gave manna.
God gives the Bread of Life. 
And Shin gives the half bread of life. 
He’s the half-Jesus or Jesus-wannabe or the Jesus-lite or the Jesus “fun size” or something. He’s the “human-helper” that you mentioned earlier, maryofbethany. He offers them salvation in the form of bread, but they have to grab it and run with it. 

Also, I like how he nonchalantly brushes off ET’s idolization and emphasizes that, ““What saved that man was not me, but his daughter.” (translation: dramabeans) He deflects credit due to him, and gives credit to others. It shows humility. And I think this might be something that he didn’t have when he was a military general -- I’m not sure, though… I need the backstory.

 

I’m also interested how he’ll react to the cabbage grandmother’s challenge. 

Philosophically, I'm sure you know that what the grandma proposes is flawed. She is wrong when she says that ET “was born with the fate to pull that sword—and that Shin made her have that fate when he saved her life. If a tool is unable to fulfill its intended purpose, it loses its value and reason for existence.” (source: dramabeans)
 
A person is NEVER EVER a tool. Or a MEANS to an END.  A person is an end in herself; ET exists for her own sake. She exists, thus she is valuable and precious. She doesn’t lose her value if she cannot function as the tool that she was born for. 

When you think about it, that’s why slavery (using people as farm equipment), rape (using people for sexual violence), medical experimentation (using people as lab experiments), and suicide/ euthanasia (terminating life when life is unworthy, useless or irrelevant) are morally wrong.

But don’t take it from me. A smart dead man actually said this. Immanuel Kant. Act that you use humanity, whether in your person or in another, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.

However, I’m allowing the grandmother a bit of leeway here in this kdrama because one) that’s the storyline the scriptwriter wants to go. And I want to see how she justifies it. 

And two) I want to see how Shin AND ET work through this low-key version of zero-sum game. 

Essentially, the grandmother is saying that one person’s gain (life) is the other person’s loss (death). But we know the other person cannot live without the other. This is their zero-sum trap:  

If Shin lives ( + 1), then ET dies ( - 1) = 1 – 1 = 0 
If ET lives ( + 1), then Shin dies ( - 1) = 1 – 1 = 0

No matter what happens, the outcome of this trap is zero. Nobody wins. Unless of course, they implicitly trust each other and coordinate their actions. Going at it alone (like the noble idiocy) is not an optimal game strategy.  At any rate, according to Shin’s half-a-Subway action plan, even if ET’s raison d’etre is to save Shin, Shin cannot be saved unless he too willingly participate in his own salvation. Love has to go both ways. 

I must also point this out about Shin’s character. He IS a con-artist, just like ET says in Episode 1. But he’s bad at it. 

Do you remember those silly PPL halfway through Episode 8? I think they actually have a purpose. They aren't gratuitous. Lol. His slogan doesn’t vary from one product to another, and it promises LONGEVITY, but not eternity. 

I think he’s a bad salesman con artist because he’s persuading customers to believe in something which he himself doesn’t believe in.  It’s ironic: he’s out there touting, “It may not be forever, but product X will last a long time” as if lasting forever is the IDEAL, when in truth, lasting just long enough is the GOAL. 

He calculates the lifespan of a mortal being, ET, and decides 100 years at the most. And out of that 100 years, he’s only asking for a day. And not even a gorgeous day, but a good enough day. A regular day.

And that “good enough” day is just “long enough” time for him. It's kinda ... sad (for lack of a more profound word)... when you think about it.  He knows very well that eternity isn’t all that is cracked up to be. 

Okay, gotta run for a minute.  

******************

I have to tag people in one go to save time and space -- 

Tagging @phikyl, @salz @hushhhand @LyraYoo

@nearsea  Thanks for the info about the diary entry. I know I can rely on you. You know that I've started to screen my tags again now, right? 

@Sarang21 I haven't answered your post yet. But thanks, dear. 

@vivvianne22 I keep on hoping, though....
@letataves Thanks, too. R88 experience was interesting. I'll try to post something for you.  
@ariesw Thank you for your post. But please next time don’t be too exuberant with your praises. It made some jealous. Will write separately. I have to get something done first. Take care. 
@naritul Are you sure no regrets yet? Good. I like you, and I think I’ll keep you, if you don't mind. Even when we don’t agree on things, you listen, and I'm glad.

@staygold You had me laughing with your post. Thanks! I'll respond as soon as possible to keep the conversation going. You're a keeper, too. 

@NRGchick Did you change your avatar again? Thanks for your pithy posts. I look you up when I need something to think about. 

@dramoron and @Athenaries. I'm tagging you both to save you from clicking on my profile. lol.  My profile's pretty boring, isn't it? 

@crazyoverkdrama Thanks your post. You got me thinking, too. My answer is coming up next.  

@CamelKnight Last but not the least. Thank you. I knew you were a softie. None of my brothers, except for one, will admit to crying over photographs. That's our generation, I guess. I hope you're feeling well now. Tech question: can you block here?  

[gutibear]

@aurelly that's a daebak probability. ET's ghost friend was a Goblin's bride will make this story more complicated. She obviously held on something.

@hairuchii KS did say that ET was his first and last bride. But he also said that he chose it that way. What if, the Deity actually created more Goblin's bride before ET but since KS never met any of them, that's why he think ET is his first. And since he fall in love with ET, he also decided that ET will be his last.

@bebebisous33 Remember the ghost of the boy that KS encountered in the 50s or 60s? His appearance changed when he met KS in GR tea shop. But, the blind man was still blind, no change at all. So, maybe those changes are more flexible? 

@maryofbethany your post is amazing...love it 

[selenette]

@staygold  @bebebisous33 @Sarang21 and @ucylucy  Great posts on the "Grim Reaper was King" theory, I'm sorry I failed to reply to your posts quickly and separately. I think there are still more questions that need to be addressed if we want to stick with that stance, but I believe we will find the answer in the upcoming episodes.

@littleloony  @packmule3 great insightful posts, as always. I will re-read them, it is really interesting to see how we can explain the age discrepancy between the Grim Reaper and the Goblin . @packmule3  and perhaps build my new counter-arguments for the mirror and Sunny's  temperament posts. *bows in respect*

@mojobobo  Thank you so much for reminding me of Eastern ideology. I suppose these are Buddhism's samsara and karma, right? Could you please explain to us more?

@joyezz  Thanks for reading it and then giving me an (undeserved) applause. Apparently posting those counter-arguments took many of my energy and made me sleepless for two days. I don't know why, maybe it's karma. 

@Princi_86  I missed that book at first. It was @ktiminie 's eagle eyes that found it first. Maybe sociologist could be the Grim Reaper's post Reaping career. He is more than welcome to be my colleague... 

Edited December 30, 2016 by selenette

[ucylucy]

YOO IN NA’S GOBLIN HAIRSTYLE

Goblin is still going strong in viewership ratings! One thing many watchers soon noticed was the unique character of Sunny (played by Yoo In Na). Sunny has a very bright, straightforward personality, which isn’t very common in the Kdrama world (it’s also uncommon to fall in love with a Grim Reaper but in Kdramaland anything can happen). She has the looks, the personality, the fashion and the hair~

Take some time to admire Yoo In Na’s (aka Sunny’s) trendy hair looks showcased in the Korean drama Goblin!

Images heavy in Spoiler

Spoiler

This natural, hair-down style looks so effortless. The perfect balance of comfort and beauty~

Aaah~ the classic pony. So easy yet so stylish. This trend never seems to fade away, and it can only be explained by the many different looks it can complement. Notice how Yoo In Na’s hair is parted with this ponytail. Not quite a middle part, but not a side part, this part combines both to create the illusion of a smaller face.

This classic bun-updo is so classy and elegant, especially fitting for formal occasions. The few stray strands, and gorgeous earrings complete this look.

This half-up look is perfect for lazy days. Notice how volumized Yoo In Na’s hair seems to be with this hairstyle. The trick is…. 2nd day hair!!

 

http://kpopstuff.com/yoo-in-nas-goblin-hairstyle/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Ahpheng]

 

[selenette]

18 minutes ago, ucylucy said:

YOO IN NA’S GOBLIN HAIRSTYLE

Goblin is still going strong in viewership ratings! One thing many watchers soon noticed was the unique character of Sunny (played by Yoo In Na). Sunny has a very bright, straightforward personality, which isn’t very common in the Kdrama world (it’s also uncommon to fall in love with a Grim Reaper but in Kdramaland anything can happen). She has the looks, the personality, the fashion and the hair~

Take some time to admire Yoo In Na’s (aka Sunny’s) trendy hair looks showcased in the Korean drama Goblin!

 

Images heavy in Spoiler

  Hide contents

 

This natural, hair-down style looks so effortless. The perfect balance of comfort and beauty~

 

Aaah~ the classic pony. So easy yet so stylish. This trend never seems to fade away, and it can only be explained by the many different looks it can complement. Notice how Yoo In Na’s hair is parted with this ponytail. Not quite a middle part, but not a side part, this part combines both to create the illusion of a smaller face.

 

This classic bun-updo is so classy and elegant, especially fitting for formal occasions. The few stray strands, and gorgeous earrings complete this look.

 

This half-up look is perfect for lazy days. Notice how volumized Yoo In Na’s hair seems to be with this hairstyle. The trick is…. 2nd day hair!!

 

http://kpopstuff.com/yoo-in-nas-goblin-hairstyle/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

Tagging fellow Yoo In-na fans @hushhh  and Mr @CamelKnight . Thanks a million, dear @ucylucy

@Ahpheng  As always,brilliant comic strips! One of the things that make me stay in this thread.

 

ON SUNNY

Ok, on Sunny. I agree with @romanov  that Sunny has to be given more depths, that she should not have served as mere foil to Eun-tak or love interest to the Grim Reaper. Take a look at her loneliness, for example, and her laidback attitude. In addition, she is an orphan, and according to the shaman, is meant to live alone for the rest of her life.

This might be explained by reincarnation, yes, regardless of her being a king or queen, it will shed a light on her. But as a viewer and the actress' fan to boot, I think Sunny deserves a background. Why she is the way she is now, as her current self. 

Edited December 30, 2016 by selenette

[shynaz]

ET so lucky although have boyfriend stingy

 

[jeijei]

Aww you guys are so lit! Great posts, as usual. I'm going to try to make Goblin cinemagraphs in celebration of my 10 years in Soompi. Lols no connection. I just want to torture myself. Hope that the old slow non-techie ahjumma in me can follow the tutorials. btw if anyone wants Ep 1 screencaps for PSD editing, message me. 

That Body Shop EDT is so expensive. Buy the perfume oil instead! 

@Ahpheng annyeong! Your strips had me in stitches~ 

 

    

        2 hours ago, RobinM said:     

    

        

            Seems to me the hair patting is their way of kissing.          

    

     

    Oh I'm not the only one. 

[shynaz]

Its time KWB or grim reaper

outside he is hot

at home he become just like this

 

[crazyoverkdrama]

Sorry mods, I forgot how to use the hidden contents again.

Spoiler

But... Can NA PD PLEASE bring all the guys together in a BOYS OVER FLOWERS episode after this?? I really love the chemistry of the boys in Goblin! 

Edit: thanks mods! 

Mod message: Just click the eye icon.

[nessanonejja]

Hi good day! This is my first post at this thread.. Actually I just read what you guys write, and thats really good. How you all have a great analysis about this drama. And I feel frustated right now.. I have searching all about bts goblin w eng sub but I cant find it. Is anyone can help me, where I can watch bts w eng sub? I think casts have so much fun and I wanna know more.. Thank you before

Have so much fun guys, today is friday

[hallee]

15 hours ago, USAFarmgirl said:

 

Episode 8 not only showed the Goblins desperation to see ET's face one more second, to be in her presence for just one more moment for she was his first, his only and his last love.  A forever love that had lasted the span of many lifetimes...

I find myself so moved every time the Goblins eyes start to tear up its as if his feelings are slowly weeping right out of him.  To have lived so long in darkness even loneliness after all this time finally his hopes are answered.  Only to find that finding his bride would mean finding his heart as well.  ET enters his world and changes it & him filling it with light & love.  Wouldn't we all fight to have just one more day of living, loving, touching, feeling, and looking at that person who was and is your life's love story...

My heart continues to break for them both for her feelings are as real as his and it's scenes like the Goblin placing that red scarf around ET.  As he gently placed it around her neck it was like watching him slowly placing his hearts warmth around her somehow without words saying I love you.  She has no idea just how much her smile and looking & being with her means to him or how long he has yearned for her.   She is like those candles that have new meaning that light up his heart and warm him from within...

Even watching the tender way ET brushed her hand through his hair as her eyes were full of all of him laying there beside her.  You see that their love is matched as she places a pillow and blanket covering him up with her love & concern as well.  Even when trying to take out the sword and it moving she only wanted to stop his pain. For she has no idea the pain that is tearing him up inside because he just doesn't want to let her go...

I believe now that ET has been told about the sword she will do everything in her power run, hide, refuse to willingly place her hands anywhere near that sword.  Even though the Goblin has been told that she will become even more at risk.  I think now it will be a struggle of wills as just like the Goblin & ET are matched in their feelings. So are they matched in being strong willed.  And we know ET has plenty of fight within her and plenty of love as well. She may not have his powers and yes, she is just a human but there is no greater power than that of the heart...

credit & thanks to all original owners of photos...

 

 

I absolutely looove everything you said here! For me, by far the BEST description and explanation on the relationship status of Kim Shin and Eun Tak....these kind of observations fuel's my burning desire for KS and ET to have their happy ending....no fuss, not toooooo long to read, no beating around the bush explanation and is direct to the point in describing  the realness of the Goblin couple's feelings....Lovette!!! Can't wait for ep9 later!!!

[ucylucy]

New BTS Filming for Episode 7. Love love seeing the close and easy camaraderie between the cast.

 

 

 

[Chellsee]

Date tonight with GOBLIN... 

[kaftanbatikcantik]

2 hours ago, ucylucy said:

@kaftanbatikcantik This is the quote from the God when he was revived. His sins could be the thousands of people he had killed as a general. It could also be from causing his sister, his relatives and servants deaths when he took a step forward to the King. But mainly I think from all the people he killed as a general.

“The souls of your people are saving you. However, the blood of thousands (people) are on your sword as well as the blood of your enemies who’re also descendants of deities. You shall be immortal and watch your loved ones die. You won’t forget a single death as this is the award I give you & the punishment you shall receive. Only the Goblin’s bride shall remove the sword. Once the sword is removed, you shall return to ash & be at peace”

Episode 1 from http://beatuscorner.com/goblin-quotes-and-narration/

thank you so much for your explaination chingu!

[Chellsee]

GOBLIN BTS: They seems to have a good time on the set... Everyone is having fun while filming. 

[Ahpheng]

@selenette  aww.....you're so kind with your compliments . Wished I could spend more time on this thread but as it is, I have 5 more eps of Goblin that I have yet to strip. 

@jeijei annyeong, hehe, glad my strips had you in stitches ! 

[ucylucy]

Oh Wow! Please give us some lovey dovey moments!

 

[mouse007]

On 12/28/2016 at 5:10 PM, ucylucy said:

@mouse007 

  Hide contents

As far as i know, I don't think none of the streaming sites have Viki - they probably have VIU since it's the fastest sub available after the episodes aired. Viki is not available in my country too for Goblin. I don't stream my kdramas though. I usually download them and get the subtitles from subscene.com.  All the different subtitles are available there. Sorry I can't help you out.

 

 

Thanks so much!!