Considered as one of the best K-Dramas, this story is the historic and the modern intertwined together so beautifully that it sucks in the viewers with its charm. The way the historic and the modern are weaved together in a skein of fantasy drama is commendable. With such a talented casting (Kim Go Eun, Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, Yoo In Na to name a few), this drama won the hearts of the Korean and the international audience alike.
The cinematography is unnerving. The attention given to details is unparalleled. This drama is poetry in action, a soulful song of the bereaving Goblin whose excruciating tragedy and an even sadder immortal life comforts the lives of the people with equally tragic past. Despite his tragic past, Kim Shin's eyes and his smile brightens up the screen, also reminding the viewers of the 900 or so years that are buried in those eyes and smile.
His gut wrenching tale of not aging while everyone dear to him leave him forever, is hurtful. He lives on, a life that is cursed, yet blessed. Gathering smiles, working miracles for people around him, and finally meeting his dear ones from the past, only to properly bid them goodbye, by doing so fulfilling the act of destiny, the Plan of God and atoning for his share of sins.
Cinematographers Park Sung-yong and Kang Yoon-soon were behind the magic of Goblin. Each and every frame of this series is a painting. The beautiful symmetry and the colour palette reminds us of the style of Wes Anderson and yet, one can't really put a finger on the resemblance. Unlike Anderson, the cinematographers of Goblin don't create their painting in pastels, rather they choose an even more soothing palette that is inspired from the colours of the nature. This makes every frame blend with the nature around. The use of warm lights also gives a very soothing edge to the frames and in the absence of warm lights, it's the natural colour tones (both cool and warm colours) that take up the responsibility of making the frames look soothing to eyes of the viewers. The clever use of transition also adds to the beauty of Goblin's cinematography as the frames project a fluidity while transitioning.
The intelligent mixing of the modern and the ancient artefacts is also striking. Kim Shin's house, it's better if I use the word 'mansion', is a brilliant example. The mansion is built featuring Renaissance style at work. The mansion and its interiors has a gothic feel resonating through it, giving the viewers the exact effect a house occupied by gods should. It acts as a metaphor for Kim Shin's life: a mix of historic and modern. The placement of a modernist interior and in between placing the antique artefacts like the candelabra and the paintings, mirrors the life of Kim Shin, an ancient life living amidst the modern lives.
Shot in both Korea and Canada (Québec), the viewers are exhibited to a visual poetry that seems ephemeral at first but resonates within the viewers' mind. These frames are evidence that the director of photography paid relentless attention to details. With a lot of tracking and panning, the camera works with a sense of purpose, it beautifully dances to the mood of the cinematographer. What the viewers get in the end is a stunning painting with inventive transitions where scenes melt into the other effortlessly, bringing the poetry within them to the forefront. The Goblin delicately manages to balance both the historic and the modern within, eliciting an intoxicating effect in the viewers. Its dreamlike visuals act as a mirror to the theme of the drama, and the vulnerability of the mighty gods that are contained within the writings of the Scriptwriter. The Goblin is a visual treat for anyone who dearly loves the act of camera and pen.
When it comes to music, The Goblin doesn't disappoint its viewers either. The OST consists of beautifully strung pieces that reflect the mood of the drama, even to the international audience. Just like the cinematography, the composition of the songs are also dreamlike. The OST covered a good range of genres and themes, whether it be dark and mysterious, hauntingly beautiful, heart breaking melody and cheerful numbers, the OST has it all. Most of the songs soared really high on the charts, a feat that is not really common for a drama OST.
'Stay with Me' by Punch ft EXO's Chanyeol is considered as one of the best songs to have come out of a KDrama, and rightly so. With Punch's powerful vocals and Chanyeol's soothing rap, the song captures the listeners in its mesmerising quality. A song that you'll hum later on, unknowingly. Another famous song to have come out of a Kdrama is Crush's Beautiful. No need to say the name reflects the quality of the song and the voice. It's been such a popular ballad, that BTS Jungkook covered it. 'Beautiful' is a romantic ballad that makes you happy and sad at the same time. How it manages to do so, I'm still not aware, but it does. The mellifluous voice of the singer with it's even more beautiful melody laced with soft instrumentals relaxes the mind pretty quickly.
Round and Round, Stuck in Love and I'm Here are completely written in English and are hauntingly beautiful. 'I'm Here' gives me the chills every time because it's evocative. It is heart-rending yet has this magical quality that makes every single note of this song beautiful. The song has Kim Kyung Hee's mature and mellow voice at work (you would want to check out some of his works: Crash Landing and Psycho but It's Okay)
Another sad song is Who are You by Sam Kim, and trust me when I say it's sad and beautiful, it is a soul-stirring song which resonates within your bones. The voice is magic. The music adds on to mystery of the drama. It adds on to the haunting tragedy of the drama and presents the vulnerability of the characters whenever the song is played.
I Miss You by Soyou is an emotional piece created for our second lead, it becomes even more sad when you place it within the context, but beautiful nevertheless. The song exhibits the longing that our second lead feel for each other. It makes the viewers sad when we become aware of their history.
You are Pretty by Eddy Kim is a pop number which is very cheerful and resounding, also created for our second lead. It has a very cheerful and pop-y vibe to it. Our second lead deserved this much!
I might not be wrong if I say the OST in itself is a mirror to the life of Kim Shin. The beautiful numbers are going to stay with us for a long time, just like Kim Shin did (영원히? 네)
With a witty screenplay, despite the sad life of Kim Shin, what the viewers get is a beautiful story that leaves you smiling. A story where brotherhood is celebrated and takes centre stage often. A story that would make you laugh out loud too. Most of the time. But could also be a tear jerker, if you are an emotional, as I am. You weep, you laugh, you cry out in anger, you are in awe, you sigh and you smile. This drama makes you feel every emotion within its stipulated 16 episodes.
Image Source: Netflix
