Almost ten years after Guardian: The Lonely and Great God completely changed the global K-drama landscape, the beloved cast is finally reuniting for a special anniversary celebration that already has fans emotional. Better known internationally as “Goblin,” the fantasy romance drama starring Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, Kim Go-eun and Yoo In-na is preparing for a nostalgic comeback through a new variety special titled Goblin 10th Anniversary Trip. Ahead of its release, tvN dropped an emotional teaser that instantly transported longtime viewers back to 2016.
The teaser follows the cast as they travel together to Gangneung and revisit several filming locations that became iconic among K-drama fans over the years. One of the most emotional moments comes when the actors return to the famous Jumunjin Breakwater, the same location where Kim Go-eun’s Ji Eun-tak first summoned Gong Yoo’s immortal goblin Kim Shin in the original series. Just seeing the cast standing there again honestly feels enough to trigger nostalgia for anyone who watched the drama during its peak years.
The Cast Recreates Iconic ‘Goblin’ Moments Together
The special teaser also brings back several visual symbols fans instantly recognize from the drama, including the red scarf and buckwheat flowers that became deeply associated with the series’ emotional storytelling. Adding even more emotional damage, the teaser uses the unforgettable OST “Beautiful,” which already has fans online saying they’re not emotionally prepared for the reunion.
Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na also revive moments from their hugely loved “Peach Couple” storyline, while Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun recreate the warmth and playful chemistry of the original Goblin couple. At one point, Kim Go-eun smiles while reflecting on how much time has passed, saying she cannot believe it has already been ten years since filming there. Lee Dong-wook reacts with visible shock himself, asking, “Has it been 10 years already?” — which honestly feels like the exact same reaction fans are having online right now.
The reunion clearly became emotional for the cast as well. Gong Yoo admitted during filming that revisiting the locations felt strange because so many old memories started resurfacing. Meanwhile Yoo In-na reportedly became emotional after noticing how little the locations had changed over the last decade, saying she would never forget the experience.
‘Goblin’ Remains One of K-Drama’s Most Influential Series Ever
Originally released in 2016, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God became one of the defining Korean dramas of its generation. The story followed Kim Shin, a 900-year-old immortal goblin searching for the human bride destined to finally end his eternal existence. Alongside its fantasy romance plot, the series also became famous for its emotional storytelling, cinematic visuals and unforgettable soundtrack.
The chemistry between Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun became one of the drama’s biggest strengths, while Lee Dong-wook’s grim reaper storyline with Yoo In-na developed an enormous fan following of its own. Even today, many viewers still consider Goblin one of the most emotionally impactful K-dramas ever made, especially because of how deeply it balanced romance, heartbreak, humor and loneliness.
tvN officially confirmed the anniversary special back in March as part of the network’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Goblin 10th Anniversary Trip is now scheduled to premiere on July 4, and honestly, judging by fan reactions already flooding social media, tissues are probably going to be mandatory viewing equipment when it finally airs.
