tvN drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (hereafter 'Guardian') is making a highly anticipated return to celebrate its 10th broadcast anniversary.
First released in 2016, 'Guardian' caused a sensation, becoming the first cable drama to break past a 20% viewership rating (Nielsen Korea) with its premiere. It has continued to win hearts worldwide on global platforms and is hailed as a flagship title that helped drive the Korean Wave. The cast’s nuanced performances, writer Kim Eun-sook’s razor-sharp lines, director Lee Eung-bok’s stunning visuals, and an unforgettable OST combined to create a full-blown cultural phenomenon. On the strength of these achievements, 'Guardian' swept major awards in 2017, including the Baeksang Arts Awards, the Cable TV Broadcasting Awards, and the Korea Drama Awards, cementing both critical acclaim and mainstream popularity.
Now, to mark the 10th anniversary, the series is returning as a special program. Through Dokkaebi 10th Anniversary (working title), stars Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, Kim Go-eun, and Yoo In-na will reunite for a short trip, reminiscing about the drama. They will revisit iconic scenes and legendary lines, share what the project meant to them and how they felt at the time, and deliver a heartfelt gift of nostalgia to fans.
This special also doubles as a project celebrating tvN’s 20th anniversary, adding even more significance. A tvN representative stated, "'Guardian' remains an iconic work that continues to be loved over time. Through this special, we aim to revive viewers’ memories and once again deliver the cast’s unchanged chemistry and the drama’s emotional impact."
'Guardian' follows a goblin who needs a human bride to end his immortal life and an amnesiac Grim Reaper who begins a peculiar cohabitation with him.
Meanwhile, Dokkaebi 10th Anniversary (working title) is slated to air in the first half of this year.