Who is the God of Death in Goblin? Exploring the Grim Reaper and Divine Beings
The critically acclaimed Korean drama Goblin (also known as Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) weaves a complex tapestry of mythology, romance, and fate, introducing audiences to a world where gods and supernatural beings walk among mortals. Among these fascinating characters, the Grim Reaper, also known as Wang Yeo, stands out as a central figure, often associated with death. However, the series also features other divine entities, leaving viewers to ponder the precise role of each, especially in relation to the concept of a “god of death.” So, is the Grim Reaper the definitive god of death in Goblin? The answer is nuanced.
While the Grim Reaper embodies the personification of death, he isn’t necessarily a “god” in the traditional sense of a supreme, omnipotent being. Instead, he functions as an agent of the afterlife, tasked with guiding souls to their next destination. The drama does feature a Supreme God, who remains largely unseen throughout the series, but reveals himself residing within the body of Yoo Deok Hwa. This Supreme God is implied to be a much greater power than the Grim Reaper, responsible for the overall cosmic order and doling out punishments, such as the Goblin’s immortality. Therefore, the Grim Reaper acts more as an executor within the broader divine framework established in the show, rather than the supreme deity of death.
The Role of the Grim Reaper
An Agent of the Afterlife
In Goblin, the Grim Reaper, primarily known as Wang Yeo, is shown performing the essential duty of escorting deceased souls to the afterlife. He appears after a person dies, and using his mysterious powers, guides them to their destined place. This portrayal firmly establishes him as the embodiment of death, the figure most closely associated with the process of transitioning from life to the next realm.
A Character Shaped by Past Sins
The Grim Reaper’s existence is not as simple as a divine being fulfilling a preordained role. In a tragic twist, he is revealed to be the reincarnation of the young King Wang Yeo from the Goryeo Dynasty, who, manipulated by the treacherous Park Joong Heon, ordered the death of the heroic general Kim Shin (the Goblin). As penance for his heinous crime, he is cursed to become the Grim Reaper, a role he undertakes with stoic solemnity. This past human life influences his understanding of death and destiny, making his character complex and compelling.
Not a Supreme God but a Crucial Figure
It’s critical to differentiate the Grim Reaper from the Supreme God, who is the ultimate authority in the series. The Grim Reaper’s powers, while potent, are ultimately under the overarching control of the Supreme God. This is explicitly shown in the drama when the God decides to inhabit the body of Yoo Deok Hwa. The Grim Reaper is a critical part of the divine mechanism, but not the head of it.
The Supreme God in Goblin
The Hidden Divinity
The Supreme God in Goblin is a largely enigmatic figure for much of the show. He influences events behind the scenes, orchestrating the destinies of characters like the Goblin and the Grim Reaper. However, the God doesn’t make a direct appearance until the end, revealing himself to be inside the body of Yoo Deok Hwa. This reveal serves as a major plot twist and helps clarify the complex divine hierarchy of the story.
The Overseer of Fate
Unlike the Grim Reaper who handles the immediate affairs of death, the Supreme God deals with broader strokes of destiny and the overarching rules of existence. It is the God who cursed Kim Shin with immortality and it is also hinted that He is responsible for the cycles of reincarnation. His motivations remain somewhat unclear, but his actions seem directed at maintaining a cosmic balance, using his influence to shape both individual lives and broader historical events.
A God Who Inhabits a Mortal Body
The most significant revelation about the Supreme God is that He does not exist as a separate, ethereal entity. Instead, He chooses to inhabit the body of the human character, Yoo Deok Hwa. This unorthodox choice emphasizes the idea that divinity can be found in unexpected places. This twist on the typical portrayal of gods adds depth to the themes explored in the show, highlighting the interplay between divine will and human experience.
FAQs: Understanding the Gods and Death in Goblin
1. Who is the Grim Reaper in Goblin?
The Grim Reaper, whose human name is Wang Yeo, is an immortal being tasked with guiding souls to the afterlife. He is not the god of death, but rather, an agent of it, acting within a divine framework governed by the Supreme God.
2. Why is the Grim Reaper a Grim Reaper?
He was cursed to become a Grim Reaper as punishment for his sins in his past life as King Wang Yeo. He took the job to atone for his heinous actions.
3. Is the Grim Reaper evil?
While the Grim Reaper’s job might seem grim and even scary, he is not an inherently evil character. He is bound by his duties but is capable of empathy and love, showcasing a more nuanced portrayal of a character associated with death.
4. What is the Supreme God in Goblin?
The Supreme God is the ultimate authority in Goblin, responsible for the cosmic order. However, the God is not a separate being, but chooses to inhabit the human body of Yoo Deok Hwa.
5. How is the Supreme God different from the Grim Reaper?
The Supreme God is the highest authority, responsible for broader issues of fate and destiny, while the Grim Reaper is an agent of death, focused on the individual souls that have passed away.
6. Who is Samshin Halmoni?
Samshin Halmoni is the goddess of birth and fate. She watches over Ji Eun Tak and her mother throughout their lives, often appearing in different human forms. She is a significant divine figure in the drama, but not the god of death.
7. Why was Kim Shin cursed to be a Goblin?
Kim Shin was cursed with immortality as punishment for the soldiers he killed to protect his country. The curse also includes the burden of watching his loved ones die over the centuries.
8. What does the Grim Reaper call Ji Eun Tak?
The Grim Reaper often refers to Ji Eun Tak as a “missing soul” or a “lost soul” because she was supposed to have died as a child, but was saved by the Goblin.
9. What is the significance of the maple leaf in Goblin?
In Goblin, the maple leaf symbolizes love and romance. According to a popular saying in the drama, if one catches a falling maple leaf while walking with someone, they will fall in love with that person.
10. Who is the villain of Goblin?
The primary villain in Goblin is Park Joong Heon, a treacherous eunuch from the Goryeo Dynasty who manipulated King Wang Yeo and caused Kim Shin’s death. He returns as a malevolent spirit throughout the series.
11. What was the relationship between Kim Shin and King Wang Yeo?
Kim Shin was a loyal general who served King Wang Yeo during the Goryeo Dynasty. However, King Wang Yeo was manipulated by Park Joong Heon and ordered Kim Shin’s death.
12. Did Ji Eun Tak die?
Yes, Ji Eun Tak sacrifices herself to save children from a car crash in one of the most tragic scenes in the show, showing the power of destiny.
13. Does the Grim Reaper have a happy ending?
Yes, the Grim Reaper finds love again and has a happy ending with Sunny, the chicken shop owner, in their fourth life.
14. Does Goblin have a sad ending?
While there are sad moments in the series, it has a overall happy ending. Kim Shin and Ji Eun Tak are reunited, and the Grim Reaper and Sunny get their happily ever after.
15. What is the deeper meaning of the Grim Reaper in Goblin?
The Grim Reaper, as a character, embodies the complexities of fate, justice, and redemption. He showcases that even figures associated with death can find love, experience remorse, and strive for a better path, adding a layer of depth to the show’s exploration of mortality and divinity.
In conclusion, while the Grim Reaper in Goblin is a powerful and compelling figure associated with death, he isn’t the ultimate god of death. Instead, he operates as an essential agent of the afterlife, bound by duties and his own tragic past, under the authority of the enigmatic Supreme God. The series’ nuanced portrayal of divine beings and the intricacies of fate makes it a compelling and thought-provoking drama.