100% FL/ML chemistry and worth the watch!
Came here without knowing who the cast were, never watched them before and super love them! The FL and ML pairing is so so good.The show starts off slow and I honestly wanted to drop at episode 1 especially during the high school scene because I don’t see where this was going. Glad I held on til at least episode 3 and binge watched in 3 days.
The zombies are not as crazy and intense as Kingdom where is was just non-stop. The zombies here are a lil docile, I’d say. There is gore still, seeing how this is a K-drama. But if you can handle Kingdom, you can handle this.
The supporting characters are what made this show shine on top of the leads. They are SO GOOD at being such hate-able characters! The doctor and the building rep homg. You really see how selfish humans can become when faced with a crisis.
The pacing overall is good except for the rushed ending.
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You Are My Home
There are some flaws with Happiness, like the ending for example. Not only was it sad because of the victims of the serial killer, but I had wished to see him prosecuted because of it. Instead there wasn't much on that. I also wished to see more of the general and his wife, but you only saw him give the antibodies to her. The ending wasn't bad because of that, because all of it was pretty much wrapped up in the end. You saw the general have a happy ending, although it didn't go into too much detail. In the end, Sae-Bom realizes her love for Yi-Hyun and calls him her home. Happiness did not focus on the outbreak, as it is pretty much contained to the apartment, but rather Sae-Bom and Yi-Hyun. The outbreak was a plot device for her to realize how he was her home. That was the reason I loved this show. :-)Was this review helpful to you?
a narrative about human nature
one of the few "hyped up" dramas I have seen recently that I felt was maybe...underhyped. I was truly surprised by this drama. due to the nature of the story, it is not plothole free, but it did a wonderful job of depicting the reality of human nature in times of crisis. the main leads have earned themselves a forever fan in me with their work in this drama as well.I think part of what makes this drama stand out is that it is one of those stories that takes place in the midst of an "action crisis," a conflict that could quickly become a story of fight scenes and drama. however, amidst this plotline is a narrative of human nature. beautifully done, morally grey characters that you can't help but empathize with one moment, yet you truly despise the next. the focus on the people did leave some plot holes that I think may detract from the story on a second watch when you are less invested in the suspense of the story. however, it is a compromise that results in a truly unique first-watch experiance.
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Is a microbe more dangerous than a man?
I have just finished watching this drama after having it for almost 2+ months on my watch list. I expected this to be a hard core zombie series where zombies come out and keep on biting on other people and so on and on. But turns out that's not the case. It is pretty different than most of the dramas and movies that featured a virus outbreak. So it definitely is a new experiment which I loved a lot. As the series progresses we understand that in the society there are terrifying beings called humans that are far more dangerous than a mere microbe. The class difference, ill treatment towards inferiors, con-artists, overly - selfish mindsets, all these are subtly shown all along the series with a minimum number of characters and that's on the writer.And coming to the acting, the leads did a very good job. Unlike many dramas where leads date a lot and get a happily ever after married card towards the end, our leads here join the marriage gang first and then start opening up to each other. NGL Park Hyung Sik gives out amazing ahjussi vibes. And all the supporting characters in the series keep on annoying you at some point or the other. And I believe if an actor is able to annoy you via their character that means they did a good job. So, over all the acting is really good.
I certainly did not find any unique characteristics that I can mention about the technicality behind the drama and I have no complaints too. So I can say that all the off-screen action was just as it should be.
Would I re-watch it? Maybe to watch the leads' chemistry but not in terms of the story. But this series is definitely a reminder that homo sapiens are to be dreaded more than any virus. Period.
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NOT a long review but is short and sweet :)
Firstly all I need to say is that this show has me checking ever 2 minutes on Friday and Saturday if the episodes are out.. I wish I was lieing ?WATCH THE SHOW ITS SO GOOD!!! ONE OF THE BEST I'VE SEEN SO FAR!!!!
It really keeps you engaged and hooked. I need them to start releasing all episodes at the same time if they are going to be this quality of a show...
I don't even need anything to happen between the fl and the ml as long as none of them die, if one of them or the little girl dies I'm changing my rating for the show ?
Yeah so that concludes my review..idk if it was helpful but it give a different view point I think lol. No joke though the series is so freaking good, Can't get over it ?
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Good thriller where the real monster is the human nature of some people
This action drama is centred on an outbreak of a new virus, making people mad and almost "zombie"-like. The story has some investigation and action sides, but is also foremost exploring the consequences and psychological impact that has the outbreak on the people living a new lockdown in a building. The show feels honestly pretty realistic after the last couple of years and the COVID pandemic. It has also a creepy but real take on the collective life in apartments and the relationships with the neighbours within a building.I like a lot the the female and the male leads from some of their previous dramas: they did not disappointed me here!!! They had a great chemistry together and were both credible in the action scenes and more emotional ones. The secondary cast was also pretty convincing playing some revolting parts...I was utterly disgusted by the incredibly selfish behaviours and horrible acts done by some of the characters...
The OST was good, not overwhelming with some soothing songs with a lot of soul and some dramatic tunes really fitting the series. I found the making pretty good though quite classic: it was efficiently delivering in terms of thrills but maybe lacked a bit in terms of suspense and horror elements.
I would recommend this to people looking for an action drama with an interesting psychological side. Despite the concept of the show, the horror vibe is pretty mild. There are of course a lot of blood, some jump scares and thrilling action sequences, but the horrific side is quite subdue and more relating to the human nature of some people. Frightening truth: most of the time human beings are indeed scarier than monsters...
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Different and Enjoyable
I don't normally go for zombie content because I generally think it gets too repetitive and doesn't reflect well on what the horror genre can truly offer BUT I enjoyed Happiness particularly because the zombies aren't what we usually see. You've got your standard virus outbreak causing people to turn into mindless flesh-eating savages but this is only for a limited time, after which they become lucid and can speak, think, and behave like a regular person before their next 'episode'. With each episode you have, the less likely you are to come out of the zombie-like state.The stakes might seem lower than the usual zombie infections we're used to from other zombie content but I enjoyed this twist because it raises the moral and ethical considerations of killing someone who is infected, which we do see in the show. In a series like The Walking Dead, there's no question about putting down a zombie; it's not a person, they're already dead. But in Happiness, wait out the episode and you'll be able to have a conversation with the person who attacked you. Maybe this isn't what some zombie enthusiasts would enjoy, but I thought it made the scenario quite interesting. One line I absolutely loved was in a scene where the main leads were forced to do something that might attract the zombies toward them so they asked for a weapon but they were told instead, "You said the infected are people too. Sort it out through conversation."
Classism rears its ugly head here as well, with the richer residents continuously insisting they deserve more than the renters on the lower floors simply because they have more wealth. I quite liked this aspect of the story as well. It baffles me personally how someone would think money holds any value in the middle of an apocalypse, especially because they don't truly know when or if life will go back to normal. I just think it made for an interesting commentary on society. At a time when people should be coming together to help each other survive, instead we see humanity crumbling away.
I also loved the OST. It felt quite different from the usual soundtracks we hear and added a lot to the tone of the show.
I give this an 8 because although there was a lot I liked about this, there were some decisions the characters made that seemed a bit out of place and the ending left me wondering about a couple of story threads (but nothing major). Some of the character stories could have been expanded on a little more as well and I also felt that, for a show about zombies, more could have been done with the element of suspense.
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Unique and enjoyable story despite a lot of unfulfilled potential
Likes:-The premise of a zombie outbreak in a post-covid world was really interesting, especially with it being more of a rabies-like virus where people had violent episodes before going back to normal. It raised a lot of interesting questions about whether they were still human, whether it was a moral failing, whether they could resist their thirst, and whether they could go back to being a part of society after being cured.
- A lot of people have complained about the tone being inconsistent or unrealistic, but honestly, given what we now know about how people responded to COVID, it felt realistic to how a zombie apocalypse might actually play out. It wasn't all violence and gore, but instead it was filled with people trying to go about their lives as normal while an unsettling, suspenseful feeling pervaded everything. Those with power tried to maintain the status quo, many didn't want to believe the true horror of what was going on, and others tried to take advantage of the situation to their own benefit. It showed how you could remain hopeful and find happiness amid an apocalyptic event. The soundtrack was great in setting up that both suspenseful but hopeful tone.
-Lastly, of course, Han Hyojoo and Park Hyungshik's characters and chemistry were great and kept me interested even when the plot started to drag and get inconsistent. I'm a sucker for slow burn and friends to lovers romances, and I loved that they always cared for each other from the start. They were both equally badass, and they both saved each other in so many ways.
Dislikes:
-A lot of the questions posed in the first half were kind of abandoned in the end, and the moral/lesson was unclear (the power of love? Help your loved ones before others? Leaving the infected to die works? The rich and powerful will get away with it?)
-It was also ridden with plot holes, like if Saebom had the antibodies that would save everybody, how come they didn't get her out of the apartment sooner? How was everything outside back to normal that fast?
-The side character's motivations weren't really fleshed out super well, and Andrew, 1201 ajumma, and 601 ajusshi were basically just evil foils to our righteous ML and FL (copaganda much?)
-They really kissed while Yihyun was infected?? Insane behavior.
Conclusion: it didn't quite live up to it's potential, but boy, did I enjoy the ride. Objectively this should probably a 6.5/7, but it was a 9 in my heart, so we'll average it at 8.
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Another run of the mill 'Zombie' Drama
Korea has no dearth of Zombie and post apocalyptic movies and dramas and sadly Happiness adds nothing new to the table.There is nothing here that you probably wouldn't have seen in some shape or form already. It's the same old formula that has been repeated quite a few times.
Now there is nothing wrong with reusing well established tropes and using the same formula as long as you can make it work with a good storyline. But that's where Happiness falls short. It is riddled with plot holes so much so that after a point I just stopped counting them. Left and right all the characters keep making stupid decisions that makes absolutely no sense. And most of the side characters were so weakly developed and annoying that I could not care less about them. And to top it all off we have such an abrupt ending it makes you wonder if the writers just lost interest in the middle of it.
But where this drama falters in all other aspects, it makes up in terms of the two main characters. Especially Yoon Sae Bom, she felt like a breath of fresh air. Honestly I loved her, if not for her I probably would have dropped this.
And even though the romance between the leads was not the focal point there chemistry still knocked it out of the park. It was not too much in your face but they had a quiet domesticity between them that I absolutely adored.
It is however addicting to watch, it is the kind of drama that you binge watch at once and then forget it even existed because that's how low the impact was. Overall I'd say it's an oksyish one time watch.
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My heart was so broken
This show starts off with a HUGE bang! Just thinking of that scene makes me want to go rewatch it! What an intro!I really enjoyed this show overall. I loved that it had a small setting with a wide array of characters and personalities all meshing together. I loved routing for some building residents and wishing others would get cast out. I loved how the zombies worked! It was a more relaxed zombie show but it held a great impact.
I loved our lead Park Hyung Sik! He's amazing in this one!!
Okay so there was a little bad with all the good.
The storyline dragged a tad bit but not enough to put me off the show. I also had to suspend belief when it came to how they handled the outbreak. They had just gone through Covid and were aware of Covid in the show, that was minor compared to THIS type of outbreak yet they were not very quick to handle this one. I would think they'd be a bit more prepared and paranoid due to Covid!
Overall 100% worth the watch. It had a moment that totally wrecked my heart but the ending was VERY satisfying.
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Who is the real monster?
[I'm sorry for my poor English, I hope it's good enough for you to read without any effort]First of all, this drama is HUGELY underrated. I've rewatched it 5 times, and I'm planning to watch it again very soon (so if you're wondering if it worths a rewatch, it's definitely a YES!).
It's not a zombie story, it's not an horror story. It's more like a story about people trying to fight against prejudice, poverty, injustice, weakness, illness, fear.
Every single character has its own role in the story: no one is unuseful, no one is replaceable. Rich and poor, healthy and ill, good and bad, kind and rude, old and young, brave and coward,... And nobody is 100% how they seem, they only reveal their own nature when they or those who they love are in danger.
You'll soon discover that the main characters in Happiness are the people, not the monsters.
Let's focus on the title. I decided to watch it only for its title, without reading the plot. It's not a "happy" story, but every character is looking for its own happiness. Some of them think that true happiness is purchaseable, some others just look for their place in the world. The truth is that nothing is certain: every thing we want may not be what we really need, or it may be that something we take for granted is what we really want.
I've loved the cast! It was my very first drama with Park Hyung Sik, and he literally blinded me with his incredible talent. Han Hyo Joo is stunning as always, and their chemistry on screen is fabulous: their presence is absolutely balanced. I was genuinely happy to see two strong, brave and kind main characters: no damsel in distress or charming prince, they're equal.
Last but not least, I've also loved the music! Joe Layne was a huge surprise, and I still listen to his OST almost every day. Pain and Enigma are on my playlist as well.
What other can I say? Don't focus on the "horror" side of the story, just enjoy it!
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Amazing power couple leads in a self-contained world with morally grey characters.
I watched for the amazing main leads, they were absolutely awesome, an absolute power couple! Sure, the actions of many of the other characters seemed stupid, but in such a high-pressure environment, it's inevitable. I was really sad about some deaths, especially when some really didn't deserve it, that made me say, but perhaps that's just how life is.It felt like this apartment complex in lockdown was like its own self-contained world, each character reflecting the different types of people and choices that would realistically happen in the larger world, but on a smaller scale. Meanwhile, at least our leads weren't stupid, and I loved them for being calm, rational, intelligent, and an awesome pair! Honestly, MVP goes to Han Tae Sook, his character was seriously awesome in my opinion. In a sense, without his decisions and his intelligence, maybe things wouldn't have turned out as well as he did.
No one's ever black and white in this story, and I love how this show doesn't push ethics in our faces. I think there's definitely a lot of ethical issues with the way people handled things, the obvious and not-so-obvious issues, but each character was never either black nor white, even our leads, because they were willing to see the world burn for each other lol (well, not really, kinda towards the end, but even if they did just want to watch the world burn happily and do nothing about it, I'd be on their side HAHA). And honestly, it made me truly think about this world as a whole - we can blame people all we want for making certain potentially bad decisions, but we never know what drives them to do what they do, and sometimes, that could simply be love for your wife. Selfish as it may be, I honestly can understand these motives.
Then there are the absolute devils that deserve to literally burn with no way of redemption. >.> No pity for them. Sometimes the 'normal' humans are the monsters, not the zombies. No surprise there.
Then again, there's also no need to think too deeply imo, just like how it doesn't push ethics in our faces, it can make us viewers think about issues, but it's really not THAT heavy. I've watched others with much heavier exploration of humanity, although I can't remember any off the top of my head.
Anyways. I don't think it's perfect, but scores are always subjective. I'm giving it a 10/10 because I highly enjoyed it. Romance definitely wasn't the focus, at least, it wasn't pushed in your face, but with the way the two leads cared for and thought of each other, it was just as romantic as kisses. Romance was more prevalent in the last two episodes for sure, but it was there throughout, and I genuinely love such a tacit, understanding pair that would protect each other so naturally. Anymore romance drama in this sort of show would've ruined it. Sure, maybe I'd have liked a bit more romantic moments, but I prefer this than those where the writer ruins a romance by causing unnecessary conflicts between the two leads - that ALWAYS ruins it for me, ESPECIALLY when they're meant to be intelligent, calm, and reasonable ADULTS.
Give it a watch if you enjoy some zombies, mystery, a virus, contemplating human nature (although, really, it wasn't overly heavy), and a speck of romance that's obviously there through their mutual understanding and friendship with each other and the last two eps. It was enjoyable and honestly, if you can just focus on the two leads and be happy with them being the logical and intelligent ones (and the adorable kid Seo-Yoon) most of the other characters' stupid/misinformed/interest-fueled actions isn't that big of a deal. I enjoyed watching the complexity of human nature in them actually.
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