Happiness

Gripping Action with Sweet Romance

It took me two attempts to get invested in this show, but it grabbed me by the throat once it happened.

❤ OMG, the romance blew me away. It had it all - pining looks, hand holding, unrequited (or not so unrequited) love, forced proximity, and marriage of convenience. While the romance isn't the driving factor of the story, it certainly builds episode by episode as Sae Bom and Yi Hyun work together to keep the residents of the apartment building safe. The chemistry between them, their absolute loyalty to one one another, and their refusal to back down on fighting for the things they loved made them one of my all time favorite couple duos.

❤ There is some shady shit going down in the apartment building prior to the lockdown, all of which comes full circle as the resident secrets begins to unravel the longer the quarantine continues. Their are certainly some memorable characters and interactions. I will admit some of the storylines for secondary characters petered out by the last episode. It would have been nice to have some clarity on whether or not the characters in peril during the end of the lockdown made it back to the real world alive and unharmed.

❤ I have been really impressed with the expansion of zombie lore over the past year! First this show and now All of Us Are Dead are giving us some interesting zombie alternatives. Honestly, this was a terrifying premise as infected individuals switched between madness and sanity.

❤ The lockdown and quarantine elements of the show certainly paralleled the real world during the Covid-19 epidemic. It explores themes of isolation, fear, and panic as the residents are moved into lockdown. If you're someone with PTSD from Covid-19, perhaps this show isn't for you (at least at this time).

Watch if you like: 💖Slow burn romance | 🧟 Zombies / Undead | 👩 Engaging female lead
Find it: Viki (12 episodes)

Read More

Happiness is no where to be found in this

I know the drama isn't finished yet and we are half way through the episodes but I felt I have to say something about the first half of it
so far the name of the drama isn't related to it's content at all despite that the female lead tried to explain that happiness is within the people's comfort zone no matter how much the world is becoming crazy and going to hell out there we have to be happy and live our happy life ,, she said that and she may be felt happy having her own apartment and marrying her high school crush in an apocalyptic world but as a viewer I don't see them happy ,, they didn't even kissed once or felt safe until now they are running around trying to survive that's it
Does survival considered Happiness now ?
Also the plot is lacking a lot of details about the characters ,, especially the main lead couple ,, we don't know anything about their families ,, the female lead's family seemed disconnected and she has issues with them that wasn't clarified enough and the male lead's family ??nothing about him at all ?? the writer is giving us punch of people trapped in Quarantine chasing each other without any further details about their own lives or backgrounds just the usual superficial irritating human greed and evilness that's it ,, the writer focused too much on showing us human evilness in crisis
I wanted to see more about the main couples' families and their background ,, I wanted to see more interactions between the lead couple delivering the happiness they meant .. I wanted more depth into the characters ,, I wanted to see the other side outside the Quarantine
I feel like the writer Quarantined us with the characters ,, we are trapped with them ,, we can't know what is happening outside the wall .... just keep watching people getting infected and chasing each other six episodes long that could have been two hour movie
I know that I'm in the minority here to say half way through this drama is becoming really boring lacking a lot
I'm wondering ,, will the writer show us what is really going on outside the next six episodes ?? will we see the main couple get their happiness they deserve ?? will we be answered on the questions the writer made us ask ? too many un answered questions needed to be answered in the next six episodes

Read More

Talk about a Strong Comeback by both the ML and FL

Initial Review:

Really, talk about a strong comeback by both Han Hyo Joo and Park Hyung Shik after so many years, around 5 years for Han Hyoo Joo and 3 years for Park Hyung Shik. So far, this has been an amazing show to watch. Lately, I haven't been really been in love with a drama, after "Mad for Each Other", where it felt really painful to wait for a drama's next episode for 6-7 days. This one, well, has really broken the slump.

The story is very good, intriguing and can divert in many directions over time. If I have to express the overall show with one word, I would use the word "Balanced". It's such a well balanced show, not too unrealistic by any means, not boring by any means, not too lovey dovey, not too dry and tasteless either. Story progression pace is, I would say, PERFECT. All the supporting characters have been portrayed so realistically, which is not often done well for this kind of drama.

Acting is great, truly justified in terms of the storyline. These 3 main characters have really played their role extremely well. Jo Woo Jin is supposedly playing part of the necessary evil, who has to make tough decisions, and even though by now his backstory has been somewhat exposed to the viewers, there is still a bit of mystery behind his character. He is playing his part, very very well.

Han Hyo Joo and Park Hyung Shik has such amazing chemistry. Although, I don't really talk about on screen chemistry too much in my review, I had to mentions this for this drama. Their chemistry is so adorable, so relatable and so subtle yet dynamic. With every episode, their relationship is evolving it seems. Their evolving chemistry, I would say, is THE HIGHLIGHT of this show.

If you read the synopsis, you will figure out what the story is about, not much for to write about that for now. My suggestion is that, give this one a go. I am pretty sure, You Will Enjoy This.

Somewhere in the middle, or after I've finished the show, I will update and make a final review of this. Take care until then.

Update 1: I've just upgraded the re-watch value to 9.5 from previous 8.5. The reason being, I can't really stress enough how charming both the ML and FL are. Their characters are so charismatic in different ways, FL with her bold cutthroat remarks alongside fighting mentality and ML with his gentleness, and eagerness to help people in this precarious situation. Both of these two have one characteristic in common: They are both very protective of each other and are very courageous. Honestly I am not really being able to express how good this show is so far, so my suggestion is that you guys watch it and confirm it yourselves.
And yes, While watching this show, I've become a fan Park-Hyun-Shik. He really is a cute cute guy, his usual gentle persona that he carries in the characters he usually portray actually is a really good fit for this show . Truly, in this show, he has performed extremely well and really made his character worth looking back over and over again by playing the episodes again and again.
I've always been a fan of Han Hyo joo. She has really knocked the ball outta the park with this show.

Final Review: Strong Finish and really one of the best K-drama of the year, even with some plot-holes and weaknesses at the later half of the series. It's really a good show if we can look past a few issues, mainly production value and the name of the show not really matching with the story of the show.
Now, anyone who is pondering whether to give it a go or not, my suggestion would be to take a chance. You may not like some of the gaps in the storyline, and there's not many "cute" and "fluffy" moments, which is apparently very important for many viewers. However, if you can see past that, then there's a really good chance that you'll like this drama.

Read More

Fake reviews?!

I’ve decided to finally drop this show at episode 5 because of the horribly inconsistent writing, dumb characters and zero-logic plot. Some highlights:
- The pill causes the illness but they’re not recalling the pill or issuing a warning to stop people from taking it
- They won’t track down pill users, instead locked everyone together, increasing the number of the infected
- FL is getting all the hate (internalized misogyny from the mostly female audience no doubt), but ML is equally stupid and tries to play hero for no reason (running outside with the people who took the money etc.)
- They can’t put the child with social services? Grandparents? She has a heart disease and they think it’s wise for her to be with a “good guardian” while being locked up?!
- The murderer/doctor and the management woman are senseless characters with illogical motivations.
- Contrary to what people say, the military man is the only one I like cause he’s rational but still trying his best
The writer really questions the intelligence of the viewers and given the unusually high rating, he’s certainly proven correct. I read all the positive reviews but now that I’ve seen the show they’re either fake, or we’re watching 2 different shows.
TLDR: Don’t watch if you can’t completely get rid of logic, common sense and the need for decent writing.

Read More

A better second half

While I liked their spin on the zombie virus and how the look at the infected as potentially curable patients. There was way too many dumb decisions, boring moments, useless scenes to drive home that a despicable character is in fact despicable(The under the table seduction scene, been there seen that enough in any given American show).
And to add insult to injury, most of the characters besides the protagonists aren't even remotely likable, so I found myself watching a bunch of unlikable characters stuck in a building and wishing they would all just die.
With that said, I've yet to watch the second half, maybe there is a twist that's going to redeem the rest.

Edit after finishing:
The second half is a thousand times better than the first, I found myself actually enjoying the story and laughing in some scenes of the last 2 episodes. Loved the ending and how it was actually treated as a virus, and they bothered actually giving a reason for the outbreak instead of being like "who cares? Just focus on the flesh eating zombies and how our heros survive!" Like most do.
I give it a higher score than I originally did, I would even recommend it.
Bonus point, the romance was well written, not overwhelming just the right amount giving the genre.

Read More

A Must Watch

I would like to give a standing ovation to the cast and crew for this amazing masterpiece of a drama.

There are a lot of heavy topics that this drama has tackled brilliantly. The writer has created a world which mirrors our own, scarily so. The reactions and behaviours of the characters are brutally raw and realistic, as are the dynamics and relationships between one another. Every topic has been handled with a level of caution and care and executed stunningly.

The OST fits the theme perfectly and gives me chills. The cinematography is wonderful and I cannot sing enough praises of the acting. I look forward to each new episode and am in complete awe at each twist, at each new direction the drama travels through. It gets your heart racing and palms sweating - in a good way, of course. There are scenes which are terrifying and there are scenes which are heart-warming but each and every mili-second of this drama so far has been enjoyable.

Read More

Happiness is subjective.... and not a Horror.

A dark and tense drama surrounding a virus outbreak coming hot on the heels of a real one that the world's just recovered from.
Unfortunately, it's the greed and wealth of a powerful character that is partially to blame and they would never be held accountable; that's made clear early on. Perhaps because I've watched a few dramas recently, where the wealthy get away with so much, that I was a little disappointed by that aspect of the plot.
There are some truly awful characters in this and rather like Sweet Home, the different residents of the swanky new complex of apartments and shops, have their true characters brought to light, as the area is locked down.
Some really stupid decisions are made by some, like unbelievably so, but they move the drama forward and provide the tense scenes that work so well.
I loved the main couple/characters and thought Park Hyun-sik and Han Hyo-joo worked very well together. Their chemistry was natural and they made a realistic friends-to-couple pair.
She is tough, no nonsense and quite hard hearted when she feels it's necessary, whereas he is a little softer (though by no means weak) and more the archetypal good cop.
There was a fair bit of blood, but not ridiculous amounts. I personally wasn't moved to tears at any point, by any of the scenes though.
How some of the infected died and others didn't, from either being stabbed, bludgeoned or shot, was a little odd to me. I couldn't work that out at all.
The sets in the apartment blocks and their underground parking, were suitably claustrophobic and provided some jumpy moments... one never knew what or who was behind closed doors, opening lifts and lurking on stairwells.
To be honest, I wouldn't call this a horror drama, but a thriller, personally.
Overall a satisfying watch. It was great having PHS back leading a drama, and one of this genre at that.
Really liked the sound track, especially Isaac Hong's contribution. The minute he opens his mouth, I melt.

Read More

No complaints!

I’ve been quite obsessed with Zombie plots lately and when I found out about this I just knew I would enjoy it and I was RIGHT!!!

Really I have no complaints about this show. Nothing lacked and nothing was too much. The characters that were frustrating were there to keep things interesting and they sure as hell did so. The characters that I hated in the early episodes I started to like them ONLY A LITTLE BIT!! I still dislike the doctor and the building representative but they both were hilarious at times and I honestly didn’t hate them as much as I did towards the end. I’m just glad the lawyer and the mistress ended up having a sad ending LOL, deserved!!!! I hope Lawyers ex wife gets the happiness she deserves in the end.

But episode 12 scared me so much?! Why’d they make it seem like Yihyun died ?! But then he showed up fine 😭 I’m not complaining but it did scare me, I’m just happy they had their happy ending in the end!

I wish they showed the other detective and if he survived and Seoyoons mom if she is doing well. Also the chiefs wife and if she survived…I’m assuming that their child passed away but I wouldve still wanted to know about the side characters endings. Very good and thrilling show!!

Read More

Zombie Mystery Theater

I was in the mood for a good zombie show and this one fit the bill. What I liked about it was that it was also part mystery and didn't dwell a lot on gore and straight up horror. It has an interesting storyline and the mystery component was engaging.

Yun Sae Bom is a special units law enforcement officer who jumps at the chance at getting an apartment at a new complex, but she has to be married. She asks her old school friend Jung Hyeon , also a cop, to pose as her husband and share the apartment. Harboring a secret crush on her, he accepts. Things begin to get sinister at the complex when a virus breaks out and the residents start acting strangely. Soon the complex is on lockdown and both cops are taxed with keeping the peace and protecting the building from the infected.

The best part of this show is the interaction of the residents and how the virus changes them for better or worse. The courage and intelligence of the police couple keep the residents safe and you grow to care about them . The acting is very good from the ensemble cast as we get to know the residents on a personal level. The writing keeps you interested in the drama especially as the virus begins to affect their mental health and how they interact with each other.

Good OST, acting and interesting story makes this a recommended watch.

Read More

Every episode will get you hooked.

I don't write neither rate a drama if it's not good, even if the casts are my favourites. So my presence here is a proof that Happiness is an absolutely excellent drama. I am a very-hard-to-please kdrama and cdrama watcher, I don't even hesitate to drop a series if it's not to my liking. Yet, Happiness got me hooked every single episode. The writer just knows how to get the viewers to look forward to the next episode T^T.

I am never a fan of zombie plots, I only watched this drama because Hyungsik and Hyojoo are one of my favourites. But like I said, if I don't like the plot or the flow of the story, I immediately drop it. But Happiness exceeded my expectation and turned out to be an excellent drama. And the fact that it was an ongoing kdrama when I started to watch it but never did I ever get tired of waiting every week for new episodes release, is such an amazing feat for an impatient person like me. Happiness is that good. The excitement from the first ep is still there until the last episode, it never withered, just got stronger. The chemistry of the lead couple is top tier, and they all portrayed their roles well, even the side characters. There wasn't even any cringey scenes, just real, pure, and non-toxic love between the two leads which anyone would ask for. There weren't many sweet moments emphasized, but their small gestures towards each other is waaay far more better than those accidental kisses in cringey dramas. They sure made my heart flutter every single ep, despite the zombies and all, lmao. Yes, I want what they have T^T.

Aside from the excellent casts, I'd like to praise the writer too for showing how people can get so greedy and cruel even in the midst of the pandemic, how there are still good people despite the mediocrity of the situation and circumstances.

And can we talk about how the osts are so good? Man, they fit the theme of the drama too well! Listening to them makes me miss Yihyun and Saebom more T^T.

To be honest, although I am satisfied with the ending, I wish they showed how the other casts are doing after all those happenings. I still have a lot of questions that the drama didn't answer, like what was Saebom hospitalised for that made her behind for two years in highschool, how did Yihyun's knee get injured that made him quit baseball, did Saebom and her mom finally meet, what happened to Boram, the writer, and his brother after the pandemic, what happened to the lawyer and the gold digging mistress, etc. I heard it was supposed to have 16 eps but was shorten to 12, so maybe that is why the ending is kinda incomplete. I hope they release all the deleted scenes if they've had already filmed it.

Overall, still 10. The drama is just too good to the extent that even if I deduct points for its incomplete ending, it'd still have 10 stars for me.

Read More

worst zombie kdrama, insufferable characters

usually, my reviews are in a specific format. but this show... this show broke me. this was a show i speedran (aka watched at x2 speed and pressed the skip 10 sec ahead button every other second) initially. then i forgot, and i gave it an actual watch. it... was... awful... if i could, i would sue them and demand for compensation for the hours i wasted watching it. the characters are ABSOLUTELY INSUFFERABLE. INSUFFERABLE I TELL YOU. they ONLY exist to cause a problem for the main characters. there is no "main story" it's just a peak into one zombie kdrama universe. and i understand that in times of panic (like a zombie outbreak...), ppl get stupid bc society blah blah fear mongering blah blah... but this- i cannot fathom this level of stupidity. just thinking abt this show makes me angry. if i could, i would pay ppl $10 to not watch this.

Read More