Even a decade later, the chemistry among the Guardian: The Lonely and Great God family still blazes bright.
On the July 5 broadcast of the tvN variety special 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' 10th Anniversary Trip, Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, Kim Go-eun, and Yoo In-na headed to Gangneung for a nostalgic getaway marking 10 years since the drama first aired. Kim Byung-chul, Lee El, and Park Kyung-hye later joined, completing a heartwarming reunion.
The "Kkebi House" where the four stayed was filled with iconic props that sparked memories — the red door that led to and from Quebec, Ji Eun-tak’s school uniform and exam slip, the Grim Reaper’s ledger, and Sunny’s jade ring. Lee Dong-wook unveiled the full Grim Reaper costume set he had kept for 10 years, while Yoo In-na revealed scripts bearing the cast’s signatures, showcasing their lasting affection for the project.
Laughter never stopped as they prepared for the 10th-anniversary party. Gong Yoo took on chef duties with his homemade aged-kimchi stew with pork back ribs and a barbecue spread, while Yoo In-na welcomed guests with oi-muchim (spicy cucumber salad). Kim Go-eun and Lee Dong-wook backed them up in the kitchen, proving their unshakable teamwork.
When Kim Byung-chul, Lee El, and Park Kyung-hye arrived, the energy soared. Kim Byung-chul showed up holding Kim Shin’s sword, and Park Kyung-hye appeared in her signature virgin-ghost costume, drawing laughter. The actors said, "It feels exactly the same as back then," unable to hide how moved they were by the first gathering in 10 years.
Over dinner, they shared behind-the-scenes stories. Lee El recalled the long hours spent in elderly makeup, and Kim Byung-chul remembered using edible coloring to achieve the black lips and tongue. Yoo In-na tenderly shared that, even during grueling shoots, Kim Go-eun always smiled like a 19-year-old girl.
According to Nielsen Korea, the episode averaged 3.6% and peaked at 4.9% in the Seoul metro household ratings. Among tvN’s core 20–49 demographic for both men and women, it ranked No. 1 in its time slot across cable and general programming channels.