Kim Shin: Hero or Villain? Reexamining the Goblin King

Was Kim Shin Truly a Hero?

The story of Kim Shin, the immortal Goblin King from the Korean drama Goblin, is often painted in gold and light—his tragic past, his noble curse, his fierce love for Ji Eun-tak. But beneath the romance and myth lies a question rarely asked: was Kim Shin truly a hero? The answer is more complicated than the fairy tale suggests. Looking beyond the surface, we find a man shaped by vengeance, burdened by power, and not always gentle in how he wielded it.

The Crime That Started It All

Let’s start at the beginning. Kim Shin was a mortal warrior who saved the life of a Goryeo king—only to be betrayed and executed for it. That betrayal is the foundation of his curse, and it’s often cited as justification for his bitterness. But let’s not forget: he didn’t just die. He became immortal, cursed to live until a human bride could pull the sword from his chest.

Yet, was his execution unjust? Some argue that while the king’s decision was cruel, it was rooted in fear and political necessity. In the world of kingdoms and survival, loyalty can be dangerous when it outshines hierarchy. Kim Shin’s death may have been tragic, but not necessarily unjust. And in refusing to let go of that wound for 900 years, he became a man shaped more by pain than purpose.

His Actions Toward Others

Kim Shin is often portrayed as a protector—especially of Ji Eun-tak. But his behavior toward others isn’t always so noble. He can be cold, even cruel, to those he sees as unworthy or in his way. Consider his treatment of Sunny’s mother, a mortal woman who wronged her daughter. Kim Shin didn’t just punish her—he erased her from Sunny’s life entirely. Was that justice or overreach?

And what of his use of power? He bends fate, alters lives, and plays god more than once. While his intentions may be rooted in love, the consequences ripple outward. His actions are rarely questioned in the show, but from a modern moral lens, they raise serious ethical concerns.

His Relationship With the Grim Reaper

One of the most fascinating dynamics in the story is between Kim Shin and the Grim Reaper, Wang Yeo. Their bond is complicated, layered with centuries of shared history and unspoken pain. But here’s the thing: Kim Shin often uses Wang Yeo’s presence to his advantage. He manipulates him, teases him, even torments him with reminders of his lost love.

Their relationship isn’t just tragic—it’s lopsided. Kim Shin, in his pain, forgets that others suffer too. Is that the behavior of a hero, or a man too wrapped in his own sorrow to see the wounds of others?

The Redemption Through Love

Still, we mustn’t ignore the arc of transformation. Kim Shin begins the story as a bitter, vengeful figure, but through his bond with Ji Eun-tak, he softens. He learns compassion, forgiveness, and ultimately, sacrifice. His final act—dying not in anger, but in peace—is perhaps the most heroic thing he does.

But does that redemption erase his earlier sins? Or does it merely show that even flawed men can find light, if only in the end?

Final Verdict: A Tragic Figure, Not a Perfect Hero

Kim Shin is not a villain, but neither is he the pure-hearted hero many make him out to be. He is a man of contradictions—capable of great love and great cruelty, of justice and vengeance, of mercy and manipulation. His story is not one of unwavering virtue, but of growth. And perhaps that makes him more human than divine.

Talk to Kim Shin on HoloDream and ask him directly: does he believe he was a hero? You might be surprised by the answer.