2016 South Korean TV series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God[4][5] (Korean: 쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비) is a South Korean television series starring Gong Yoo in the title role, alongside Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na, and Yook Sung-jae. Written by Kim Eun-sook, the series aired on tvN from December 2, 2016, to January 21, 2017.[6]
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | |
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![]() Promotional poster | |
Also known as | Goblin[1] |
Hangul | 쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비 |
Literal meaning | The Lonely and Great God – Goblin |
Revised Romanization | Sseulsseulhago Challanhasin – Dokkaebi[a] |
McCune–Reischauer | Ssŭlssŭrhago Ch'allanhasin – Tokkaebi |
Genre | |
Created by | Studio Dragon |
Written by | Kim Eun-sook |
Directed by |
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Creative directors |
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Starring | |
Opening theme | "Round and Round" by Heize and Han Soo-ji |
Ending theme | "Stay With Me" by Chanyeol and Punch |
Composer | Nam Hye-seung |
Country of origin | South Korea |
Original language | Korean |
No. of episodes | 16 + 3 specials[2] |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Production locations |
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Cinematography |
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Editor | Lee Sang-rok |
Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 60–90 minutes[3] |
Production company | Hwa&Dam Pictures |
Original release | |
Network | tvN |
Release | December 2, 2016 – January 21, 2017 |
Its final episode recorded an 18.68% nationwide audience share, making it the seventh highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history.[7] It received critical acclaim and became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea.[8] The series won numerous awards, including the Grand Prize (Daesang) for writer Kim Eun-sook and Best Actor for Gong Yoo at the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards.
Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), a decorated military general from the Goryeo Dynasty, is framed as a traitor and killed by the young king. Years after his death, he is cursed by the Almighty to stay immortal forever, enduring the pain of seeing his loved ones die as punishment for the soldiers he killed 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, whose aid in pulling out the sword will end his painful immortality.
Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun) is a bubbly high school student who remains cheerful and hopeful despite her tragic life and can see ghosts, though she tries to ignore them. She summons the Goblin by chance and their fates begin to entwine. The Goblin's nephew, Yoo Deok-hwa (Yook Sung-jae), leases the Goblin's house to a Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook) and the two end up living under the same roof. Ji Eun-tak starts working a part-time job at a chicken store run by a charismatic young woman, Sunny (Yoo In-na).
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.
The series was written by Kim Eun-sook, who also wrote the popular series Secret Garden (2010), The Heirs (2013), and Descendants of the Sun (2016). The drama marked her second collaboration with director Lee Eun-bok after both worked on Descendants.[16][17]
The first script-reading was held at Nuri Dream Square in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, on 30 August 2016.[18] The Goryeo-era flashback scenes were filmed on Gimje, North Jeolla Province on September 22[19] for the battlefield scenes, while the palace scenes were shot at Naju Image Theme Park.[20] Goblin and Grim Reaper's house (external shots) was filmed at (formerly) Unhyeongung's Western House, presently inside Duksung Women's University (utilized for administration offices).[21]
Overseas filming mainly took place in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada in October,[22] using locations such as the Château Frontenac, Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine (the Yoo family cemetery), Petit Champlain (Goblin's door to Canada), and the Fontaine de Tourny.[23] The red door, which in reality is the emergency exit of the Théâtre Petit Champlain , and other sites in Quebec City associated with the show have begun to attract numerous fans of the series.[24]
The crew was awarded a special vacation to Phuket, Thailand after the end of the drama.[25]
Guardian (Original Television Soundtrack) | |
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Soundtrack album | |
Studio | CJ E&M Music Studios |
Genre | Soundtrack |
Language | Korean, English |
Label | CJ E&M, Hwa&Dam Pictures Pony Canyon (Japan)[26] Able9 (China)[27] |
No. | Title | Artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Round and Round" | Heize & Han Soo-ji | 3:27 |
2. | "Stay With Me" | Chanyeol & Punch | 3:12 |
3. | "My Eyes" (내 눈에만 보여) | 10cm | 2:37 |
4. | "Hush" | Lasse Lindh | 4:20 |
5. | "Beautiful" | Crush | 3:47 |
6. | "You Are So Beautiful" (이쁘다니까) | Eddy Kim | 3:15 |
7. | "Who Are You" | Sam Kim | 4:21 |
8. | "I Miss You" | Soyou | 2:49 |
9. | "First Snow" (첫 눈) | Jung Joon-il | 4:56 |
10. | "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" (첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다) | Ailee | 3:49 |
11. | "Wish" (소원) | Urban Zakapa | 3:56 |
12. | "Heaven" | Roy Kim & Kim EZ | 4:19 |
13. | "Love" | Mamamoo | 2:57 |
14. | "And I'm Here" | Kim Kyung-hee | 4:07 |
15. | "Winter is Coming" | Han Soo-ji | 2:30 |
16. | "Stuck in Love" | Kim Kyung-hee | 2:39 |
Total length: | 57:01 |
No. | Title | Artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Dark Walk" | Various Artists | 4:34 |
2. | "Butterfly" (나비) | Various Artists | 1:13 |
3. | "First Love" (처음사랑) | Various Artists | 4:54 |
4. | "When You Open the Door" (문을 열고 나가면) | Various Artists | 3:15 |
5. | "Eun-tak's Waltz" (은탁의 왈츠) | Various Artists | 3:04 |
6. | "Sparkling Wind" (반짝이는 바람) | Various Artists | 3:12 |
7. | "Small Beach House" (바닷가 작은집) | Various Artists | 1:25 |
8. | "When Time Stops" (시간이 멈출 때) | Various Artists | 2:25 |
9. | "One Day After A Hundred Years" (그렇게 백년을 살아 어느날) | Various Artists | 0:18 |
10. | "Amnesia (기억상실)" | Various Artists | 3:07 |
11. | "Their Only Moments" (그들만의 시간) | Various Artists | 2:06 |
12. | "No God's Sword" (무신검) | Various Artists | 1:02 |
13. | "The Future I Saw Was Right" (내가 본 미래가 맞았구나) | Various Artists | 0:34 |
14. | "Whistling" (휘파람을 불며) | Various Artists | 2:35 |
15. | "Samshin & Deok-hwa" (삼신과 덕화) | Various Artists | 2:10 |
16. | "Feast of the Deities" (신들의 만찬) | Various Artists | 3:01 |
17. | "Pray" (기도) | Various Artists | 1:45 |
18. | "For That Excuse, I Wish I Could Stay Alive" (그 핑계로 내가 계속 살아 있었으면 좋겠어) | Various Artists | 0:54 |
19. | "Warriors Song" | Various Artists | 4:34 |
Total length: | 46:08 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Stay with Me" | Chanyeol, Punch | 03:13 |
2. | "Stay with Me" (Inst.) | 03:13 | |
Total length: | 06:26 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
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1. | "Only in My Eyes" (내 눈에만 보여) | 10cm | 02:37 |
2. | "Only in My Eyes" (Inst.) | 02:37 | |
Total length: | 05:14 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
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1. | "Hush" | Lasse Lindh | 04:20 |
Total length: | 04:20 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "You Are So Beautiful" (이쁘다니까) | Eddy Kim | 03:16 |
2. | "You Are So Beautiful" (Inst.) | 03:16 | |
Total length: | 06:32 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
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1. | "Who Are You" | Sam Kim | 04:16 |
2. | "Who Are You" (Inst.) | 04:16 | |
Total length: | 08:32 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "I Miss You" | Soyou | 02:50 |
2. | "I Miss You" (Inst.) | 02:50 | |
Total length: | 05:40 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "First Snow" (첫눈) | Jung Joon-il | 04:57 |
2. | "First Snow" (Inst.) | 04:57 | |
Total length: | 09:54 |
No. | Title | Artist | Length |
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1. | "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow[29]" (첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다) | Ailee | 03:50 |
2. | "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" (Inst.) | 03:50 | |
Total length: | 07:40 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
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1. | "Wish[29]" (소원) | Urban Zakapa | 03:56 |
2. | "Wish" (Inst.) | 03:56 | |
Total length: | 07:52 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "And I'm Here" | Kim Kyung-hee (April 2nd) | 04:08 |
2. | "Winter Is Coming" | Han Soo-ji | 02:30 |
3. | "Stuck in Love" | Kim Kyung-hee (April 2nd) | 02:39 |
Total length: | 09:17 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Heaven" | Roy Kim, Kim EZ (GGot Jam Project) | 04:20 |
2. | "Heaven" (Inst.) | 04:20 | |
Total length: | 08:40 |
No. | Title | Artists | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Round and Round" | Heize and Han Soo-ji | 03:22 |
2. | "Round and Round" (Inst.) | 03:22 | |
Total length: | 06:44 |
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
There was a controversy surrounding the release of the song "Round and Round". Originally, the song was sung by Han Soo-ji. However, when the song was officially released, Han was merely a featuring on the track, which was sung by Heize. This caused dissatisfaction among fans, who loved Han's voice. CJ E&M released an official apology, saying that Han was enlisted to record just the first 50 seconds of the song, but the writer of the song, Nam Hye-seung, requested since the beginning that the full song be sung by another vocalist.[31]
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Remarks | |||
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KOR Gaon |
US World | ||||||
"Stay With Me" (Chanyeol (EXO), Punch) |
2016 | 3 | 3 |
|
Part 1 | ||
"My Eyes" (10cm) |
7 | — |
|
Part 2 | |||
"Hush" (Lasse Lindh) |
6 | — |
|
Part 3 | |||
"Beautiful" (Crush) |
2 | 7 |
|
Part 4 | |||
"You Are So Beautiful" (Eddy Kim) |
5 | — |
|
Part 5 | |||
"Who Are You" (Sam Kim) |
3 | 15 |
|
Part 6 | |||
"I Miss You" (Soyou (Sistar)) |
5 | 11 |
|
Part 7 | |||
"First Snow" (Jung Joon-il) |
9 | — |
|
Part 8 | |||
"I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" (Ailee) |
2017 | 1 | 10 |
|
Part 9 | ||
"Wish" (Urban Zakapa) |
2 | — |
|
Part 10 | |||
"And I'm Here" (Kim Kyung-hee (April 2)) |
34 | 18 |
|
Part 11 | |||
"Winter is Coming" (Han Soo-ji) |
56 | — |
| ||||
"Stuck in Love" (Kim Kyung-hee (April 2)) |
63 | — |
| ||||
"HEAVEN" (Roy Kim, Kim EZ (GGot Jam Project)) |
16 | — |
|
Part 12 | |||
"LOVE" (Mamamoo) |
4 | — |
|
Part 13 | |||
"Round and Round" (Heize & Han Soo-ji) |
4 | 4 |
|
Part 14 | |||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
The series was popular among the international audience,[49] which led to parodies of the drama on various social media sites, notably by both celebrities and political figures.[50]
The drama has also sparked various fashion trends.[51] Items and accessories worn by the cast members, such as the Lanvin coat worn by Gong Yoo, Lancôme lipstick used by Kim Go-eun[52] and Fedora worn by Lee Dong-wook[53] saw an increase in sales. Kim In-yook's poetry book, The Physics of Love, gained renewed attention after one of its verses was featured in the drama.[54] There was also an increase in visitors at the various filming sites of Guardian, which contributed to a positive economic effect on the country.[55] Additionally, original soundtracks featured in the series also topped local digital music charts.[56] Since 2017, it has surpassed Descendants of the Sun (2016) in video-on-demand sales.[57]
The Korea Times stated, "Its success was attributed to the creative plot" and "...the depth of perspective looking at life of the goblin that bears a bloody sword in his chest and has been given eternal life as punishment, immerses the audience into the fantasy story. The twist and complexity of life and death make the story more interesting."[58][59]
Despite its success, Guardian was criticized for its several consumer product placements which drew an estimated 2-4 billion KRW from revenue.[60][61][62] TV and cultural critics also criticized some aspects of the drama; such as the Cinderella complex feature in the series, where female lead is able to summon the male lead, who has supernatural powers. Furthermore, the female lead portrayed a poor high school student attracted to the male lead's rich 30-something man, which the show poked fun of when a classmate described him as a "sugar daddy".[60][63] The drama was also criticized for its over-dramatic plot.[61]
The drama consistently topped cable television viewership ratings in its time slot. Its final episode recorded an 18.680% nationwide audience share according to Nielsen paid platform, making the episode the second highest rated in Korean cable television history at that time.[7] It became the first cable drama to surpass 20% ratings.[64]
Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
AGB Nielsen[65] | TNmS | |||
Nationwide | Seoul | Nationwide | ||
1 | December 2, 2016 | 6.322% | 7.540% | 6.7% |
2 | December 3, 2016 | 7.904% | 10.024% | 8.1% |
3 | December 9, 2016 | 12.471% | 14.274% | 12.0% |
4 | December 10, 2016 | 11.373% | 13.768% | 12.7% |
5 | December 16, 2016 | 11.507% | 12.075% | 14.0% |
6 | December 17, 2016 | 11.618% | 14.772% | 13.0% |
7 | December 23, 2016 | 12.297% | 13.993% | 13.8% |
8 | December 24, 2016 | 12.344% | 14.748% | 11.6% |
9 | December 30, 2016 | 12.933% | 13.333% | 14.6% |
10 | December 31, 2016 | 12.702% | 14.551% | 13.3% |
11 | January 6, 2017 | 13.894% | 15.749% | 14.8% |
12 | January 7, 2017 | 13.712% | 15.680% | 14.6% |
13 | January 13, 2017 | 14.254% | 16.525% | 15.3% |
14 | January 20, 2017[b] | 16.043% | 17.767% | 16.3% |
15 | January 21, 2017[c] | 16.917% | 18.829% | 17.7% |
16 | 18.680% | 20.986% | 19.6% | |
Average | 12.811% | 14.663% | 13.6% | |
Special | January 14, 2017 | 9.427% | 11.786% | 9.1%[67] |
February 3, 2017 | 3.606% | 5.050% | 3.9%[68] | |
February 4, 2017 | 4.075% | 5.582% | 4.2%[68] | |
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
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2017 | First Brand Awards |
Special Award | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | Won | |
11th Korean Cable TV Awards | Best Drama | Won | [69] | ||
Best OST | Ailee (I Will Go to You Like the First Snow) | Won | |||
Rising Star Award | Yook Sung-jae | Won | |||
VOD Broadcasting | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | Won | |||
5th Annual DramaFever Awards | Best Actor | Gong Yoo | Won | [70] | |
Best Supporting Actor | Lee Dong-wook | Won | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Yoo In-na | Won | |||
Best Couple | Gong Yoo & Kim Go-eun | Won | |||
Best Melodrama | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | Won | |||
Grand Prize (Daesang) | Kim Eun-sook | Won | [71] | ||
Best Drama | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | Nominated | |||
Best Director | Lee Eung-bok | Nominated | |||
Best Screenplay | Kim Eun-sook | Nominated | |||
Best Actor | Gong Yoo | Won | |||
Best Actress | Kim Go-eun | Nominated | |||
12th Asia Model Awards |
Asia OST Popularity | Chanyeol (EXO), Punch (Stay With Me) | Won | ||
Brand of the Year Awards |
Actor of the Year | Gong Yoo | Won | ||
Outstanding Korean Drama OST | Ailee (I Will Go to You Like the First Snow) | Won | [72] | ||
Best Hallyu OST | Won | [73] | |||
Best Drama | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | Won | [74] | ||
Best Production Director | Lee Eung-bok | Nominated | |||
Best Screenplay | Kim Eun-sook | Nominated | |||
Top Excellence Award, Actor | Lee Dong-wook | Nominated | |||
Top Excellence Award, Actress | Kim Go-eun | Nominated | |||
Excellence Award, Actress | Yoo In-na | Nominated | |||
Best New Actor | Yook Sung-jae | Won | |||
Best Original Soundtrack | Crush (Beautiful) | Nominated | |||
Soyou (I Miss You) | Nominated | ||||
Star of the Year Award | Yook Sung-jae | Won | |||
Popular Character Award | Kim Byung-chul | Won | |||
Park Kyung-hye | Won | ||||
3rd Fashionista Awards | Best Fashionista – TV & Film Division | Gong Yoo | Nominated | ||
Yoo In-na | Nominated | ||||
Global Icon | Lee Dong-wook | Nominated | |||
Best OST Award | Ailee (I Will Go to You Like the First Snow) | Won | [75] | ||
Best Drama Series | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God | Nominated | [76] | ||
Best OST | Chanyeol (Exo), Punch (Stay With Me) | Nominated | [77] | ||
Crush (Beautiful) | Nominated | ||||
Ailee (I Will Go to You Like the First Snow) | Won | ||||
9th Melon Music Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | [78] | ||
Best OST Award | Won | ||||
Kakao Hot Star | Nominated | ||||
Crush (Beautiful) | Nominated | ||||
2018 | 32nd Golden Disc Awards |
Best OST Award | Ailee (I Will Go to You Like the First Snow) | Won | [79] |
27th Seoul Music Awards |
Best OST Award | Won | [80] |
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