12 episodes of highly entertaining madness
I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I started watching Happiness, I saw one clip of it online and decided to watch it from that. So I wasn’t exactly expecting a zombie apocalypseesk (but not quite), romance thriller, but that what I got, and I enjoyed every second of it.Okay first off, I usually watch K-dramas for the romance, which this show has, but it doesn’t exactly take center stage for most of the show. Instead the romance is ever present, but comfortably in the background. Having said that Sae-bom and Yi-hyun still manage to make the charts as one of my favorite K-drama couples ever. Their relationship was startlingly stable, and I loved every single interaction they had with each other, even if it wasn’t necessarily a romantic one. They just played off of each other perfectly.
All of the thriller aspects of the show were really well done as well. And I often found myself more concerned about what the absolutely insane residents of this apartment building were going to do to each other, rather than being concerned about the infected people attacking them.
Every resident in the apartment building had enough character to be interesting in their own right, some of them I wanted to kill, some of them I loved to death, but each of them was well portrayed.
I thought the cast was pretty much perfect, both for the main characters and every side character. And Park Hyung-sik was absolute husband material here, 10/10 husbanding. It’s been quite a while since I finished this one and I’m still madly in love with his portrayal of Yi-hyun. Also like, I’m not into women but if I was I’d definitely be into Sae-bom.
Theres so many good intense moments in Happiness, and some pretty good jump scares too, I would not recommend watching it at night in the cupboard under the stairs like I did. And the music really adds well to the tone, it doesn’t have many full songs like most K-dramas do, but the music always suits the mood really well.
I wish we had gotten more at the end of the show, just a little more after the conflict resolution since it’s a little abrupt, but I won’t complain too much. That does tend to happen in 12 episode dramas that have a lot to be resolved. And I have a few other very minor gripes with it, most of which didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment, so I don’t think I’ll really go into them.
If you haven’t watched it yet, give it a shot. Happiness is just pretty freaking good.
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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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A series for thought and complexity
Honestly, I cannot understand the negative reviews with things to complain about. I am someone who enjoys complexity in morals and the difficulties of human relationships with each other, morals, desires, and greed. This is a series that touches on so many topics while still holding senses of morbidity, romance, and humour. The main couple, in my opinion, are fantastic and their characters are actually well thought through, from their backstory, to the way they grow up, and the way their history together effects their relationship in the future. the side characters have such a variety of relationships and struggles, with a real focus on classism (as a lot of K dramas seem to have - rich Vs poor, hard working Vs easy living).I really loved this and honestly, it's one of the best zombie based series I have seen so far aside from maybe all of us are dead. The virus in this acts different from a lot of other series and I think it really allows for a lot of character and plot to be built on as even people who have been infected can continue on and have a hopeful happy ending. Bringing that bit of humanity to monster, and showing the monsters of humanity, it's truly a beautiful juxtaposition that makes you question so much.
the only thing I wish was that maybe they had left more time to fully establish the ending of other key characters like the antidote efficiency, what happens to the rich guy, what happen's to Han Taeseok's wife and child. there was a lot left undisclosed however it isn't too much of an issue for me personally as open endings often allow for own interpretation. I'll mention it as this may have been off putting for some people, yet this is the thing I have seen less addressed over "wah, they had plot armour as the main characters, how annoying".
TLDR; if you are looking for a series that you can sit down and mindlessly watch, I would say this isn't for you. if you go into this series mindlessly, you miss the entirety of its meaning and story. 10/10 would watch again and would recommend to people who value the art of storytelling. also, if you just want a zombie flic, this also isn't for you; this series is very much based on human interaction and the behaviours of people stuck together in a situation that is not exactly pleasant, with people who are even less pleasant. (I'm honestly tired of people going into series with an expectation and then rating it lower all because it wasn't like the others they watched - that is a good thing.)
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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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Another pandemic in the making!
Well, tbh, if you don't like anything related to Pandemic and all, stay AWAY from this drama.This drama is technically the future pandemic of this world.
The casting was great, but it got a bit draggy and pointless at times.
There is a lot of blood, killing, stabbing, hating, and psychosis.
The ost was not that great. You could hear the same song repeat and had no variations whatsoever.
I loved the leads. They had a wonderful chemistry, but expect no skinship/romantic scenes. A big No no for romantic lovers.
Overall, an enjoyable drama. Yet, it's a bit painful for us to see after the pandemic we all went through.
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Painfully overrated, but not a bad show.
SPOILERS AHEAD. SPOILERS AHEAD. SPOILERS AHEAD.Everyone knows a score of 8.9 on this site is basically a must watch status, even if you may not be entirely into the drama's genre. But after seeing all 12 episodes of this show, I have zero clue why it's rated that high and honesty, it's an insult to other drama that are rated that high and lower than this show.
The ML actor acting is wooden in many scenes and I just have little interest in his character. I don't think I've ever seen a more bland ML in a drama so far. I think the ML in this and the one in 'Revenge of Others' are in an competition for who can be the most bland ML in a drama.
The FL I like a lot. While the story didn't do more for her than I would've liked, I like her style and how realistic she can feel. I don't need characters in a drama to feel realistic, but the way she was written was a breath of fresh air and I find her character entertaining to watch.
But everyone else? Holy s-- People have to understand there's a way to write unlikable characters in a story and Happiness shows you all the wrong ways to do it. If you ever get around to watching Agency (2023) (which is a much better show IMHO), there are plenty of "unlikable" characters in that show that are INTERESTING to watch. The goal of an "unlikable" character in any story is to get the audience to disagree with them in a way that adds flavor and tension to the story. All of the other tenant characters in this show are so painful to watch because they just annoy you. Especially the "doctor" who is just a bumbling idiot that isn't even funny. It almost felt like they were trying to write a horror comedy without any of the humor. Every other character with the exception Han Tae Seok just felt completely pointless to watch because it did absolutely nothing for me. Lee Ji Soo was maybe one other character I have enjoyed watching grow into a friendship with the FL.
There's also weird scaling and tension issues with this show. Like there's a global outbreak of a zombie virus, yet the danger is yet sometimes undermined by the characters action. A lot of times it felt like the situation was only dire whenever the show needed it to be and it felt in consistent many times. If the show wanted to make it feel dire, some of the characters needed to be way less casual about the situation. I don't mind making the show feel more localized in a world where there's a global outbreak, but if the show was going to make it very local to just between apartment tenants, it needed to make better use of the zombie situation and it just didn't.
The show felt like it was trying to drag many conversation out to make the 12 episode runtime. It had bits and pieces here and there that were actually interesting. I don't mind when a character is just talking to another character, but in many scenes in this show, it was just chatter. Noise. I hate that. Most of the characters in this show have zero chemistry with each other and that's why when the show's pacing slowed down, it felt way slower because of the subpar casual conversation. A lot of the tensions between the characters are just going through the motions and there's no interesting lead-up behind any of them or WHY. You have a couple where the lawyer cheats with the homewrecker and it's like whatever. You have the kid with the mask that is a murder for no reason, just is. You have the guy that hoards everything he can because he's really interested in survival tactics and we never explore that even though he was kinda integral to the show near the end. Like we're getting all of these interesting potential moments in the show where we could explore a character and they're never given any reason for the audience to care. I think that was what was missing the entire show. You have to give the audience a reason to care.
These were the biggest complaints of mine, but there's far more. I won't go any further than that because the show doesn't deserve my time.
Now the special effects were on-point. I have no complaints there. I love the way how it puts a little unique spin in the zombie genre. I also think while the danger of the zombie were questionable in this show, the way they can go back and forward between being a mindless animal and being human again is great.
The score? Awesome. Many dramas have boring stock music and score, but this one tried to be different and new and it worked very well. It felt like I was watching a Hollywood production.
The cinematography was also amazing as well. Many beautiful shots, location and atmospheric decisions that went into the production of the show is top-notch.
While I am very critical of the story, it does do a lot to 'modernize' Kdramas to feel less cliche, but they really have to work on the supporting characters way more because many of them feel like an afterthought.
I was really disappointed with this show. It's rated an 8.9, which is the same score of a vastly superior show Tomorrow and The Glory. You go watch all three and tell me Happiness even comes close to either of the other two. Also, this is the same director of Stranger Season 1 and The Glory!!! How is this show way worse than either of them!?! The Glory and Stranger S1 were amazing!!!
Overall, I think it's a decent show, but nowhere near the 8.9 score it got. I think if you're into the horror genre, it's worth a shot. You may love it, you may not, but it felt like a huge waste of time to me.
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A Thrilling Reflection of Human Nature
Happiness isn’t just another zombie drama—it’s a sharp and thought-provoking social commentary disguised as a thriller. Set in a quarantined apartment complex during a deadly virus outbreak, the drama explores human greed, privilege, morality, and survival instincts when society is pushed to the brink.One of the drama’s greatest strengths is how it portrays the ugly truths of human nature. While the infected pose a threat, the real danger comes from the residents themselves. Fear breeds selfishness, power corrupts, and the battle for survival exposes class divisions and moral dilemmas—mirroring real-world crises where people’s true colors emerge.
At the heart of this chaos are Yoon Sae-bom (Han Hyo-joo) and Jung Yi-hyun (Park Hyung-sik), whose relationship stands in stark contrast to the selfishness around them. Built on trust, respect, and unwavering loyalty, they show that even in dire circumstances, some people choose to protect rather than exploit. Their dynamic adds an emotional depth that makes the story even more compelling.
Unlike typical zombie thrillers, Happiness isn’t just about survival—it’s about what survival turns people into. The drama masterfully highlights how fear, hierarchy, and self-interest shape human behavior, making it eerily relatable. With a tight, well-paced story and a perfectly satisfying ending, it delivers a complete, impactful experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
⭐ Rating: 10/10 – A gripping and thought-provoking thriller that reflects the best and worst of humanity.
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Pretty generic.
I found this drama pretty generic and mostly pointless. I can't quite figure out why it even exist. It's not a bad drama. Don't get me wrong, but not that special either. It does not bring anything new or fresh to the zombie genre. And after the COVID-19 pandemic, do we really need this kind of show? I doubt it. Most of the time I felt bored.Story is at best medicore. Nothing scary, nothing exciting. Zombie scenes are done ok, but they didn't made me feel anything spacial. I thoroughly enjoyed the two main leads tho. Han Hyo Joo is always a beneficial factor to everything she stars in. The rest of the cast done their job properly, but their characters were not that interesting . It does not help this show is mostly set it one apartment building. It should be filled with tension, but it's not. The story prevents creators from making a suspenful and engaing drama. Most of the time I felt bored.
If you are a fan of zombies, there is nothing here you haven't seen before, Don't count to be scared or terrified, but if you enjoy watching a simple drama about people in a dire situation, this show is for you.
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Featuring Baek Hyun Jin's insanely dramatic shrieks
Before I talk about the show, let's talk about Baek Hyun Jin and his screams/hollers/shrieks... that little dude is part Velociraptor, right? He makes noises I have never heard a human make on screen or off. It's massively entertaining and only sometimes obnoxious. I've seen him do it a few times in other dramas, but Happiness provided him with a great many opportunities to implement his raptor shriek, and it fit very well with his character's cowardly evil personality.Happiness was ok. It was, for me, just a tad over acceptable but not epic. As other reviewers have pointed out, there are a lot of minor inconsistencies, plot holes, and confusing logic leaps. There are some elements I just cannot wrap my head around the logic of....like why was this apparently government boss dude the literally only guy in charge of the whole outbreak. I can't think of any government that would work that way, there would be lots of officials involved in an operation of this scale. Also why did the relationship develop between the detective and this military boss dude, that part really seemed to stretch the bounds of logic for me. Why too, if the side character brother also had antibodies was his wound purple and diseased looking where the FL's wound was not, where they multiple times in the script bring up the color of the wound's surrounding area as an indicator of infection.
The direction crew did a really terrible job with consistency, so many shots will have the actors holding a prop in their hand from on angle, but when it cuts over to the next angle the prop is gone or in the wrong hand or different. It's pretty jarring and there are multiple examples of this in every single episode. The attention to detail in this Kdrama was pretty bad, and those things break immersion which definitely reduces my impression of a drama.
The acting was pretty good, there were a few sort of one-note bland characters and it was a little disappointing that they didn't delve into any of the backstory on side characters at all, which made it difficult to connect with them emotionally. The ML and FL had good synergy. The FL especially did an awesome job representing her character's personality consistently, so you truly believed her as a character. The action scenes were pretty well done for the most part, though there seemed to be some inconsistency around when a lead could attack a gun holding person vs when they just stood there at gun/knife point. There was a really awesome scene the ML does (or his stunt double probably) where he in one swift move drops to the ground and grapples the preacher zombie's leg, spinning around it to take him down, it was pretty badass.
Overall, it was a pretty good show, though the lack of consistency in the script and directing limited the potential of the actors. Even so, 90% of this drama takes place in hallways, and it's pretty impressive that you can keep people immersed well enough that they remain watching with such dull scenery.
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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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Definition of power couple
When I say power couple, I MEAN POWER COUPLE. And that's exactly what these two are. They are ride or die. I'll burn the world for you. This is the kind of romance I want on my screen. Two strong-minded people that trust and depend on each other, know what the other is thinking, rely on each other, and love each other unconditionally."Don't come close to me. Whenever I see you, my heart thumps and I feel thirsty."
"Me too. Because I like you." — When I tell you I fucking screamed. I Couldn't. I waited for the confession, and it delivered. Not a single scene felt wasted, and the emotions were delivered to perfection.
"Tell the world it'll have to wait. I have to see Yi-hyun. If I lose him... my world may really collapse." — MORE FLs LIKE THIS WHERE??? Sae Bom is the fucking standard, and we need more people like her.
But real talk, for a drama that is called happiness, it sure stressed and angered the fuck out of me. Every person in that complex apart from the weird dude and the kid need to burn in the fires of hell. The amount of satisfaction I got when Yi Hyun kept teaching that glasses bastard a lesson was indescribable. Park Hyung Sik is one of my favourite actors, and him in this role had me squealing. He would honestly rock a more darker role, and I would be so down bad for him.
And the ending. OMFG THE ENDING. Istg I had the biggest heart attack when the ending happened. I was in tears. I couldn't breathe. I thought someone just shot the earth and we were crumbling to pieces. Am I being dramatic? Maybe. But IDC BECAUSE HOW DARE YOU PLAY WITH MY FEELINGS LIKE THAT?!?!
Yes, there were some glaring flaws with the show, hence the lower rating, and some unanswered questions, but I want to keep thinking about the good. So that's what I will do. I WANT MORE COUPLE DYNAMICS LIKE THIS!! KOREA, PLS!!!
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