THANK YOU! I had the same exact issue! Poor Goblin is left to deal with an eternity after Eun-tak's 4 lives are over! I never thought about Goblin being reincarnated but I think I prefer your ending way better.

I usually dont comment but since I really liked the things you wrote I had too. I totally agree with you, poor Goblin and his bride have so much pain ahead of them. They happy now but like you mentioned its only for a while. Too bad like in Twilight, Goblin cant turn her into a Goblin lol. I thought the same thing why couldn't he just reincarnate too, isnt his punishment over yet?

AAAH Goblin! I was also left bewildered and mildly disappointed with the rapid chain of events at the end: TOD, walking in the snow, Quebec again. I also wanted Goblin to somehow have a happier ending. I should have foreseen it though. It was all in the title: Lonely Shining Goblin. :(

I have steered clear of reincarnation stories ever since (except Chicago Typewriter, where I think it was done well). Usually they depress me because they tamper with memories of love, and with identity. Tbh, as a Christian it is one of the hardest cultural obstacles for me when watching Kdramas, since I don't believe in reincarnation, but for them it's a pretty important thing.

Goblin is my favourite KDrama but I totally agree with you, all the thoughts that run through my head at the end were exactly what you said.

Maybe they are leaving room for a part 2, where we can watch Eun Tak become immortal? I dunno, what if they have children, what will happen with the m? Sigh all these questions.

The ending was more bitter than sweet for me & I low-key still have a problem accepting it.

Great ending!

I also would have preferred for Goblin to be reincarnated. If Sunny and Reaper can both meet again, then so can Eun-tak and Goblin (with or without memories). Just like you said, "If fate wants them to meet again in the next life, they will meet again."

Oh i agree with you so much. Reincarnation movies and the like always get me with those details and when i feel for the characters it hurts more. I like your suggestion! I recall feeling hurt and unfairness as a bitty kid watching Hollywood movies like Chances Are and Heaven Can Wait all because those sticking points you’ve mentioned.

I guess the writer's point was that Goblin became a sefless character who he was willing to go through the torture of eternity again just for the person he loved. Still, I did not like the fact that Goblin was still immortal when he came back to life again and that Eun-tak was again cursed by death. Though it's a life-for-a-life situation if I understood correctly, I nevertheless wished they would have one hassle-free lifetime like Reaper and Sunny's reincarnations.

Add me to the list of people who were disappointed with the ending. Also what happened to DeokHwa? Bittersweet is the perfect word to describe the ending.

THIS! I love Goblin to pieces, but that bittersweet ending left me aching. It wasn't a happy ending, more like delayed suffering for our lonely shining goblin. I kept thinking "but eun tak only have 4 lives! What will happen after she lived all of it?".

In my mind I always imagine it like this, that after the 4 cycles of eun tak's life, somehow the Gods would finally take away the goblin's immortality, And then he would finally die and be at peace.

Why does everyone presume Goblin is immortal? He never was to begin with... I never assumed he came back immortal -- I thought now it would be is choice when he's believes it's time to stop paying the penance set upon him, he can go. (Like the American show Lucifer says... all of Hell's doors are open for anyone to leave at anytime.)

I didn’t mind the tragic aspect of Eun Tak’s death, but I agree with you that one of the things her death did was make it glaringly obvious that after her next three lifetimes are done Goblin would be in the exact same position he was in at the start, only without the hope of finding his bride. That being said I don’t think I’d be thrilled if Goblin got reincarnated either, because it would feel like the show was trying to solve everyone’s problems the same way (Reaper and Sunny). If only there was some other magical third option

I’m one of those who likes Goblin’s ending. I admit that I cared way more for the Reaper love story so I left feeling very content but even thinking about it now, I would’ve been pissed if they reincarnated Goblin too.

The only reason I think Wang Yeo and Sunny got their happy ending was because having those tragic memories gave them so much pain. Leaving all that behind and starting all over again was the only way things would work out for them. In every other drama (GFB, Rooftop Prince) we always complain that it’s not the same person without their memories etc. Reaper and Sunny despite not being their original selves found a way back to each other as different people. That was a blessing to them and diety’s forgiveness after all the suffering.

However, Goblin’s case is so different. If he forgot Eun-tak, and she forgot him, then they wouldn’t be them anymore. Their memories of each other is something they cherish and gives them more happiness than pain. It’s a love that isn’t tragic (to them) so forgetting it all seems like punishment from the diety rather than mercy. If I had to reeeeally change that ending, then I’d probably make Eun-tak immortal for all the sacrifices she made and the good person that she is. She can be an angel if that’s something that exist in the world KES created.

What I desperately wanted instead was for Goblin to have introduced himself to Lee Hyuk. They could’ve started all over again and become friends and he could’ve been a brother to Sunny the way he never had the chance to in her 3rd life. I hate that he just walked away when he saw them together. But I also believe he and Eun-tak would eventually meet them. Sunny did that to her when she lost her memory. She’d also do the same. Plus she was soooo close to Reaper too!

This entry just reminded me of all the anger I felt when I watched the finale... All of my problems with the finale (all of which this article has already mentioned) would have been fixed if they had just changed one thing! I don't remember all of the details exactly, but when Shin came back from the snowy underworld (or whatever it was), why couldn't he have come back as a human? Considering why he was given immortal life + powers in the first place, him coming back as a goblin made no sense whatsoever. However, if he had come back as a human, he and Eun-tak could enjoy the remainder of their lives together as mortal beings and equals!

the ending was fair. They both said they'd rather a sad love then no love at all, so it's what they chose. but while we're on the subject of happy endings, why can't we just make Eun-Tak immortal too? like an angel or something? Or yup, let Goblin finally grow old with her and die

Well thank heavens I am not alone. That ending actually ruined the whole thing for me. I don't get why the most noble of all the characters was the one who has to suffer the most, in every way cmon! It's like he was being punished for the principles he stood for and the good things he did for others! I'm still fuming mad about it so I can't say that drama was the highlight of the year in kdramas for me and it was such a waste. I don't care if some people think otherwise it was a horrible ending. I have a lot of beef with that drama actually including EuanTak's character who stayed a whole lot younger than the matured version. I also have another beef with the "matured" version but let's not get into that. I mean I had a hard time buying into the fact that Goblin wasn't being inappropriate in their intimate moments because she was young for most of the story. Should I blame the actress for having played it too well-overplayed actually.

but yes I agree with all the sentiments here, GOblin's got a bad rap. Too bad

T_T I was enlightened, but at the same time, was depressed!
I wish you would give a storyline to solve all the questions you come across with...
Like Ji Ho in BTIOFL said about ending of the "Graduate" movie, at the ending of a supposed-to-be happy ending, the couples sitting in bus, not looking entirely happy or expecting of their future together, but feeling nervous and unsure... I guess that's how life is, and how any drama/movie ends. There's no optimal ending for someone's life that a drama/movie can satisfy all viewers. It seems the best ending give you bittersweet feelings of continuation of life, with challenge, with unresolved problems from past, with uncertainty... but surely with hope and love... At least Goblin and Eun-tak can be happy finding each other and enjoy their companion for another lifetime, right?

I was actually expecting the drama to promote Eun Tak to a heavenly being, like an angel or something, since she sacrificed herself. Talk about imagination haha.

This was the first Happy ending that made me feel sad.
Why ..... Because it was given in a context of lonliness.
To that end i would have preffered goblin with his entire family.

Goblin euntak sunny reaper his nephew and secretary all together.

Spending time being happy reaper goblin shenanigans. That would have been a truly happy ending !

I hate the writer for traumatizing me with that ending having promised a better finale.
She killed my love for the drama I ll never be able to watch it again!

As far as i'm concerned, Goblin had only 15 episodes and you cant tell me otherwise.

I think the ending was consistent for the story and the characters. Other viewers mention that it was always to be a sad love story. Human life is in part sad and hopefully happy. To truly appreciate the happiness, we have to acknowledge the sadness otherwise it is tedious monotony like the Goblin’s life before his bride can into it.
The Goblin was punished by the gods because he no longer valued human life and that included his own. I don’t think it was simply that he killed so many in battle. In choosing to return to immortality for the chance, even briefly, to be with his bride, he accepted that life was an emotional struggle to be valued.
I do agree with @Tom’s point about poor Eun Tak being reduced to a vehicule for the Gobin’s character arc. Sigh, unfortunately not unsual for heroines in dramaland to be reduced to handmaidens of the hero.

Love this post! I agree 100%. I wanted ET to gain immortality in death. For example, if she came back as an angel, or if the same god who made Goblin immortal made her inmortal, I would have been so happy. As it stands, it’s too sad for me to think about them sufferings in each life until he suffers alone - For-Ever. Jeepers! I vote for Season 2 to correct this.

THANK YOU! My exact thinking and feeling about the finale. How could they leave Kim Shin to suffer through immortality like that? Completely unnecessary.

I'm aware I'm late to posting, but no matter how many times I rewatch Goblin (don't ask, seriously), I can't stop asking the same MANY unanswered questions! 1) Why was the ending so dry? He's waited 30+ years to reunite with her and they don't even hug? WHAT?
2) What happened to Duk Hwa besides the obvious aging? We didn't get to see anything about him growing up.
3) What does this mean for Ji Eun Tak and Kim Shin? He's still very obviously a Goblin, so does that just mean that he's going to live with her three more times and then continue to live? Will he eventually be able to die? Will Ji Eun Tak and Kim Shin be able to live a good, and happy life?
SO. MANY. UNANSWERED. QUESTIONS.
But even so, I can't say enough how much I loved this drama. I can't ever watch this drama without crying. One of my all time favorites for sure! Sarang!

An easy fix would have been to insert a line from Ajumma Grandma saying the clock is now ticking on Goblin's punishment, that he's just got one human lifespan remaining starting... NOW! A butterfly lands on the Quebec tombstone as a voiceover says they've been granted the privilege of growing old together (though technically Goblin guy already has a eight year head start, if you assume his first death was at 37).

Well the writer surely managed one thing - I’ll always have lingering feeling whenever I think about this drama.

I decided to take the ending to mean that they have three more lifetimes together to figure out who to make sure he dies/moves on with her on the finale one. The ending wasn't as bittersweet for me as I expected primarily because I just assumed that that was the plan and was waiting for them to say it. When they didn't, well, nothing in the show says they won't do that either. He died once, and chose to come back.... or at least not move on. I'm sure if they tried hard enough they could find a way for him to die again. That's my personal belief of what happens after the series, that they both search for a way for him to die with her at the end of her final life.

The blog, Bitches over Dramas had a view on why this ending was in fact a magnificent (my word) happy ending. Well worth the read.

http://bitchesoverdramas.com/2018/04/05/throwback-thursday-goblin/

There are several other articles there on Goblin that I think every Goblin fan should read, agree or not.

I have to rewatch to catch every lines thoroughly, though too many loop holes within the story the last few minutes of the finale was lame to me (Typical for kdramas, which I don’t like) Goblin had waited 30yrs for the bride reincarnation really? Goblin only took 9 yrs to come back why so? her being a high schooler again? (the writer screwed here) which means Goblin has to take care of her as a ‘child again? heck .. so this time will the bride life span will last when? not a happy ending to me..I was expecting better for the 2 main characters. Another failed ending for kdrama..I almost gave it 10 stars

At the time, I had the impression of an almost happy ending, but quickly sadness overcame me. I come to think that this ending is very cruel, of a refined cruelty.

The pain of Kim Shin's punishment (seeing people die around him without being able to forget them) will be multiplied by the 4 deaths, including 3 to come, of Eun Tak. As for her, why has she to live with someone who in the eyes of the world will be (a bit like Kim Shin with Deok Hwa) successively her uncle, her big brother, her husband, her nephew, her little nephew, etc. I would have liked her to become an angel able of accompanying him indefinitely.

The extension of Kim Shin's punishment seems all the more incomprehensible (even if he killed a lot) since Reaper, after his 300 years of good service and his 600 years of hell, is entitled to forgiveness, despite of his major fault (his suicide). I also didn't understand why Kim Shin was sent to a frozen no-man's land instead of resting in peace for good. Rail switching problem? ;-) After his return, he no longer has a sword to remove, no more way to fade away; he remains immortal, unless “god listens” (said Deok Hwa while he was possessed)

Concerning Eun Tak, Kim Shim certainly exploited her at the beginning, but gradually she became his first and only love. He must not have had much time for trifles in his life as a general -:D

I really liked this drama: dialogues, acting, settings and even music... But this ending leaves me sad and, even if it is artistically defensible, I would like to keep a happier memory.

I actually felt at peace with the story as soon as Eun-tak said, “I found you”. For as painful as memories can be, they also stand as a testament to our journey through life. Each one adds significance and depth to our relationships, and I find it more heartbreaking to think of those memories being wiped out than living with them—even if there is sorrow amongst the laughter. While I didn’t feel bad for the secondary couple, and thought they got a pleasant send-off, their relationship also didn’t have the breadth or depth that the OTP did. I didn’t mind them starting from square one, because they didn’t really make much headway in their latest incarnation.

But the idea of losing everything that Goblin and Eun-tak went through, and having to start as complete strangers…that would have been truly tragic. I mean, if I only had a few minutes of footage to provide the backstory for the secondary couple, and then just cut to their final scenes together as an actress and detective, I think I would have been okay. But if I just saw episode 1, and everything was erased except for a random meeting where we only see the faintest of hints that Goblin and Eun-tak were warming up to each other as strangers drawn by fate, I woulda felt terrible. All the tender moments, the passion, the sacrifices, the sorrow, the joy, the discoveries and connections—knowing all of that essentially never happened for those two (at least as far as they know) gets me a bit misty.

I just think “traditional” reincarnation is a tough cycle to pull off. What’s the point in having a past life if there’s no connection or correlation to the current one? I’d rather watch a 16-episode drama than 16 first episodes from 16 different shows. Resetting over and over strikes me more as a tragedy than a blessing. Over time, wounds heal, memories become monuments of struggle and triumph, and relationships deepen and compound. I think Eun-tak’s decision to retain her memories was a great decision for her as a character, but also for us as an audience.

We know that when she looks at Goblin, smiling warmly, she does so as someone who has gone through the adventure. She is his first and last bride, not just in name, but in every way that title can be expressed. She can look at him with a depth of love that could only come from enduring the hardships, grief, and joys of their relationship. Their love story continues, instead of merely being a hard reset prone to the obstacles and detours relationships encounter as two people struggle to find their way to each other.

I do agree that the ending is bittersweet though—or at least incomplete. For one thing, I would have liked to see some interaction with Eun-tak’s mother. Was she reincarnated? Was that her fourth life? The story did a great job of showing how Eun-tak continued to cherish the memory of her mother, and seeing them reunited in some way would have added a lot of warmth and closure. The last time they actually talked, it was to...