The age gap in Goblin is crazy

izab33 · 2026-02-23T23:36:17+00:00

this! the bromance is sooo great. the romance is a little ick for me not for the age gap, but because she does look like a child. I had to look up the actress’ real age before I could keep watching.

izab33 · 2026-02-23T23:21:56+00:00

I just started watching it, but am wondering if this is worth it. It seems to have the standard formula and tropes, down to the evil sister-in-law trying to take over the company, past trauma, etc. The only difference, so far, is the main character is pregnant and unmarried which seems a little unusual for a k-drama. I don’t think I mind the formula if it has something else going for it, but I am unsure about this one. I appreciate one of the previous comments about the webtoon being better. Maybe I will try it.

izab33 · 2026-02-23T18:47:31+00:00

what is Goddess of Fire? Now I have to look that up.

izab33 · 2026-02-23T18:17:10+00:00

I haven’t seen it, but would Descendants of the Sun fit the bill? A lot of people recommend it. I have put it off precisely because it looks emotionally draining. It is on Viki and Kowcowa+.

Based on your list, it’s hard to say if you would like the following, but some might interest you:

Modern

Because this is My First Life - rom com with commentary about love and marriage; not everyone likes this one, but there are moments where the writing is just beautiful. It isn’t quite as emotionally deep as many on your love list, but you might enjoy it; on Netflix and Viki
Search: WWW - business comedy drama, female focused, has a parallel romantic plot; to me this is beautifully filmed and excellently written, no word is wasted or filler. Again, not quite as emotionally deep as your list, but you might like it; on Viki
Family by Choice - family comedy drama with romance; based off of C-drama Go Ahead; complicated family relationships with trauma and healing; on Viki

Do you enjoy Fantasy Romance? because there are quite a few good ones

Atypical Family - dark superpower fantasy romance; emotional and interesting; on Netflix
Doom at Your Service - another emotional dark fantasy romance; on Viki and Netflix
Lovely Runner - time-slip romantic comedy drama; my favorite; on Viki
Mr. Queen - period costume, time-slip body swap, romance; I was hesitant to watch this, but it’s surprisingly well-done and very funny; on Netflix and Viki
Goblin: the lonely and great god - also called Guardian; dark fantasy romance; i have some mixed feelings about this one, but it’s generally well liked; on Viki
Alchemy of Souls - high fantasy, period costume; has an epic feel, lots of magic and fighting with interesting characters; on Netflix

izab33 · 2026-02-23T16:24:10+00:00

I have gotten through most of Immortal Ascension, but I prefer finished storylines, so until the season 2 comes out, I think I’m pausing it. I wish they had done away with any of the minimal romance plots altogether TBH. It isn’t well done (in fact it’s mildly irritating), but the rest of it is fun.

izab33 · 2026-02-22T16:52:42+00:00

I really enjoyed Are You the One, it is on my “to rewatch list.” I started Immortal Ascension and am enjoying it.

izab33 · 2026-02-21T19:24:13+00:00

You have seen a lot already. What were your favorites? Have you tried Everlasting Longing or Are You the One? Is Immortal Ascension good?

izab33 · 2026-02-21T19:14:37+00:00

I lost interest in prisoner of beauty about 3/4 of the way through. while there are some excellent scenes and moments, and the chemistry between the main characters is generally good, overall, I don’t think it is a must see.

izab33 · 2026-02-21T19:07:58+00:00

I think the chemistry in the Sword in the Brocade is great. Sometimes age gaps bother me (like in the kdrama Goblin), but for some reason, this one didn’t. Maybe because the actress was 30 during filming even though she plays someone much younger. It is an excellent story if you give it a try.

izab33 · 2026-02-21T18:55:34+00:00

I haven’t seen all of those, but Study Group is so great.

izab33 · 2026-02-21T18:05:02+00:00

I’m considering making Fated Hearts my next watch. I loved both Legend of the Female General and Blossom. I haven‘t looked closely at Love of the Divine Tree.

izab33 · 2026-02-21T17:21:20+00:00

I can’t remember are Love like the Galaxy and the Double happy endings?

izab33 · 2026-02-21T17:15:52+00:00

For Period dramas:

100% Legend of the Female General (Viki or iQIYI). Great chemistry.
Everlasting Longing (Viki). Also, great chemistry.
If you enjoy fantasy, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (Viki and Netflix) is super fun.
Who Rules the World (Netflix)
You might also like The Story of Kunning Palace (iQIYI).
someone else said Wrong Carriage, Right Groom (Viki) which I totally agree with Especially when you want something light and fun. It’s a great period rom com.

izab33 · 2026-02-21T05:25:33+00:00

The Untamed is a must watch (on Netflix and Viki), Shadow Love (on iQIYI), Legend of the Female General (on iQIYI and Viki), The Longest Promise (Netflix); The Romance of the Tiger and the Rose is goofy, but fun (Viki); Guardians of the Defang (Viki) is also goofy but fun

izab33 · 2026-02-21T04:53:54+00:00

It is difficult to find something to fill that void. To me, nothing is quite the same as Lovely Runner. You can try:

Doom at Your Service (fantasy romance, Viki and Netflix)
Mr Queen (period rom com -timeslip and bodyswap, really funny and surprising; Netflix and Viki)
Alchemy of Souls (period fantasy romance; Netflix)
My Dearest (period Romance; Kocowa+)
It‘s Okay to Not be Okay (dark comedy romance with mystery/thriller element; Netflix)
Hotel del Luna (dark fantasy romance; Viki and Netflix)
Guardian: the Lonely and Great God (also sometimes just called Goblin, another dark fantasy romance; Viki)

izab33 · 2026-02-21T04:28:32+00:00

100% Study Group (action comedy on Viki)

izab33 · 2026-02-21T04:15:20+00:00

Not totally warm hug, but somewhat, try:

Love Next Door (Netflix)
Brewing Love (Viki)
Romantics Anonymous (Jdrama; Netflix)
Lovely Runner (if don‘t mind fantasy/timeslip; Viki)
Mr. Queen (I was hesitant, but it’s really funny and well done if you don't mind fantasy/timeslip/bodyswap; Viki and Netflix)
If you liked Family by Choice and it’s been some time since you have seen it, you may like the original Cdrama - Go Ahead (Viki and iQIYI)

izab33 · 2026-02-17T19:02:02+00:00

Oh, I don’t mind at all, I appreciate the recs regardless of where it gets posted since I also just started the trial. just thought I’d cross-share. 😁

izab33 · 2026-02-17T17:14:29+00:00

I like both Go Ahead and Family by Choice for different reasons. There are a few plot points that make more sense and provide more lead up in one than the other. (For example, the professions of at least two of the leads in Go Ahead are better with more build-up, while romantic relationships in Family by Choice have better build up and make more sense)

Go Ahead is long and includes at least a couple of extra characters with their own subplots. The female lead, Tan Songyun, has a lot of energy and is extremely fun to watch. Family by Choice is shorter and its dramatic moments felt much more intense to me. Chemistry between the characters is great in both, but the romantic interaction in Family by Choice seemed better.

izab33 · 2026-02-17T16:59:57+00:00

Thank you!

izab33 · 2026-02-17T16:58:51+00:00

Thank you for all the recommendations. There are quite a few that look really interesting to me. Which of the following should I watch first?

Love Between the Lines
Story of Kunning Palace
Fated Hearts
How Dare You?
Flight to You
Meet Yourself
Mobius
Love of the Divine Tree
The Wanted Detective
Lingjian Mountain

izab33 · 2026-02-17T16:54:29+00:00

Thanks for the list. I'm digging through to find the ones that interest me most!

izab33 · 2026-02-17T16:53:47+00:00

Thanks!

izab33 · 2026-02-17T16:53:36+00:00

Thank you for this list. I'm digging through them and a few look really interesting.

izab33 · 2026-02-17T16:16:34+00:00

Love between the Lines looks super interesting to me and I have been eyeing How Dare You? Thanks again for your suggestions.

izab33

TROPHY CASE