9 highlights from the ‘Goblin 10th Anniversary Trip’ reunion special

One of the more enduring appeals of Goblin is the iconic imagery that audiences now associate with the K-drama—from the red scarf and buckwheat flowers to Sunny’s jade ring and Grim Reaper’s black hat.

To Kim Go-eun and Yoo In-na’s delight, Lee Dong-wook brought along the Grim Reaper’s outfit—including his now-famous hat—for the trip. While the costume no longer fit the actor, who reportedly went on a strict diet alongside Gong Yoo during the filming of the K-drama, it proved to be a perfect fit for his female co-stars. The two girls then proceeded to mount an impromptu fashion show while the male leads watched in amusement.

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After their long drive to the seaside town, the four worked up an appetite and settled in for a leisurely lunch, using the opportunity to reminisce about filming the hit K-drama. Yoo In-na playfully recalled her first meeting with Lee Dong-wook, revealing that the actor was a bit of a grump even back then.

The relaxed meal also gave viewers a glimpse into the cast’s enduring friendship. It was clear they had stayed in touch and remained a constant presence in one another’s lives, with the conversation drifting between shared memories, good-natured ribbing and funny behind-the-scenes stories. The lunch gave viewers a glimpse of their genuine off-screen chemistry and the unique dynamic each member brings to the group.

After treating supporting cast members Lee El, Kim Byung-chul and Park Kyung-hye to a hearty dinner, the main leads gathered for a Goblin-themed trivia night, with resident mood-maker Yoo In-na stepping into the role of quiz master. The game tested the cast’s memory of the K-drama while bringing out Gong Yoo’s fiercely competitive side.

A seasoned host thanks to her popular YouTube talk show Yoo In Radio, Yoo In-na kept the energy high throughout the evening. She needled her co-stars, discreetly offered clues when they struggled and even handed out bonus points for making her laugh or showing exceptional enthusiasm—turning the trivia contest into one of the reunion’s funniest and most entertaining moments.

Game night with their special guests ended on an emotional note with video messages from Goblin cast members who couldn’t make it to the reunion. Yook Sung-jae, who played Goblin’s mischievous nephew Yoo Deok-hwa, thanked his acting seniors for guiding him as a rookie during filming. Yeom Hye-ran, Yoon Kyung-ho and Jo Woo-jin also sent their tributes, while even Jung Hae-in—who made a brief cameo in the K-drama—recorded a short greeting for the group.

The message that left everyone teary-eyed, however, came from 85-year-old veteran actor Kim Seong-gyeom, who portrayed chairman Yoo Shin-woo. Seeing the familiar faces prompted the cast to reminisce on all the actors that literally played a role in Goblin’s success—from Kim So-hyun, Kim Min-jae and Kim Hye-yoon to Nam Da-reum, Ko Bo-gyeol and Kim Ki-doo. This underscored how much the ensemble’s impact still resonates a decade later.

The next morning, Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na headed to a nearby café for coffee, but the quick errand soon turned into an impromptu shopping trip when Yoo In-na spotted a handbag she couldn’t resist. Much to her dismay, Lee Dong-wook proved less than helpful when asked to choose between the options, though he more than made up for it by buying the bag for her.

Back at the house, Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun were left in charge of preparing breakfast. After sharing a sweet moment when Kim Go-eun helped Gong Yoo apply sunscreen, the pair fell back into their familiar dynamic, bickering over the best way to make the soup. Their playful banter felt like watching an old married couple and was a nostalgic reminder of the chemistry that made Goblin such a huge hit.

After breakfast, the cast played a spirited game of Yut to determine who would be stuck washing the dishes. Swapping partners, Gong Yoo and Yoo In-na became Team Siblings, while Lee Dong-wook and Kim Go-eun formed Team Unlisted Spirit. What followed was a hilariously competitive match filled with playful trash talk, good-natured ribbing and plenty of laughter—further proof of the easy camaraderie they have maintained over the years.

The mood turned more reflective when the cast read heartfelt letters from fans whose lives had been touched by Goblin. One came from an 18-year-old viewer who first watched the K-drama at just eight years old and is now saving up to visit its real-life filming locations in Quebec. Another was from an engaged couple who bonded over Goblin and credited the series with becoming a meaningful part of their relationship. Together, the letters served as a touching reminder of the K-drama’s enduring legacy and the generations of fans it continues to inspire.

As their seaside getaway drew to a close, the four cast members hopped on bicycles and made their way to a beachside observatory to take in the ocean views. True to form, Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun quickly turned the leisurely ride into a race, while Lee Dong-wook hung back to help Yoo In-na, who was having trouble with her bicycle’s gears. The group paused at the lookout to soak in the scenery as Beautiful, one of Goblin’s most iconic OST tracks, played in the background.

After working up an appetite, the four headed out for lunch, where the conversation shifted from memories of Goblin to the possibility of working together again. The four jokingly pitched the idea of reuniting for a melodrama about four friends entangled in an increasingly complicated web of romance—a fun what-if that had them imagining what another project together might look like.

For their final activity, the reunion show’s crew invited the four leads to create a collaborative painting that would serve as the backdrop for their official reunion photo shoot. Unable to agree on a single artistic direction, they embraced the chaos instead, with each cast member adding their own personal touch to the canvas. The result was far from a masterpiece, but it perfectly reflected their individual personalities and the easy rapport they still share. It was a fitting finale to a reunion that celebrated not just the enduring legacy of Goblin but also the genuine friendship that has flourished among its cast over the past decade.

More than a nostalgic reunion, the Goblin 10th Anniversary Trip was a celebration of the friendships forged behind the scenes and the lasting impact the K-drama continues to have around the world. A decade on, the chemistry between Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook, Kim Go-eun and Yoo In-na shows no signs of fading—proving that some stories, and some friendships, truly stand the test of time.

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