Gong Yoo and Kim Go Eun star in the tvN fantasy drama 'Goblin.' (Photo : YouTube/tvN Drama)
With the appearance of claw machines in popular dramas such as "Goblin," "Legend of the Blue Sea" and "Doctors," many viewers became interested in the said gaming device. It even became a part of South Korea's dating culture in the recent years.
Normally found in arcade shops or entertainment areas, the claw machines are a fun way to bond with friends or to test a person's skills and patience. With the thrill of capturing a special prize or a novelty item using a user-operated claw, the said machine is a popular device for arcade gamers.
Recently, the said machines also made its way into various South Korean TV series. The tvN drama "Goblin" featured a scene where Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun) challenged Shin (Gong Yoo) to display his skills by getting a specific item inside a claw machine.
In a similar scene, the mermaid series "Legend of the Blue Sea" also included several shots of Shim Cheong (Jun Ji Hyun) playing the claw machine numerous times to capture a pink octopus doll. Jun Jae (Lee Min-ho) may have introduced the said game to Shim Cheong, however, he did it with the intention to remind her not to give up on her goals.
"Doctors," a 2016 SBS drama, also integrated the claw machine into one of its character's storyline. Placed inside Ji Hong's (Kim Rae Won) home, the said gaming device served as the surgeon's stress reliever, as well as a reminder of his childhood. Moreover, it even became a memorable part of Ji Hong and Hye Jeong's (Park Shin Hye) romantic moments together.
The increasing appearance of the claw machines in South Korean dramas sparked a growth in the number of shops that feature the said gaming devices in the past two years, according to Yonhap, as cited by Korea Herald. Major commercial areas now boast of several claw machines being frequented by dating couples, students, and even professionals.
In other news, "Goblin" is set to cap off its final broadcast week with the release of three episodes. In a tvN announcement, as obtained by All Kpop, episode 14 will be aired on Jan. 20 followed by the back-to-back release of episodes 15 and 16 on Jan. 21.
Originally slated for release on Jan. 14, "Goblin" episode 14 will be replaced with a special episode that will delve into beloved characters' relationships. Meanwhile, tvN retained the Jan. 13 broadcast date for episode 13.
"Legend of the Blue Sea" airs on Wednesday and Thursday on SBS, while "Goblin" releases new episodes on Friday and Saturday. Watch a clip from Gong's tvN drama below:
