moth
This review may contain spoilers
(MAJOR SPOILERS) Finished this literally less than 10 minutes ago and I have a lot of thoughts. This is the first drama I've finished in AGES - I've always started dramas (romcoms), gotten to where the couple gets together, and gotten bored and dropped. I decided to try out a thriller/mystery for once in my life and I loved it so, so much. Happiness has kept me absolutely hooked for the few days I binged it. I knew barely anything going in and that was absolutely for the better.
Going down the list of ratings, the story is something I was rather surprised by - especially with regards to the disease. It taking place IN 2021 (presumably), after the outbreak of covid-19, was so surprising to me? An illness directly after an illness? I thought the plot would go crazy with that (it did not).
Following that, the plot in general is so fascinating. A huge cast of characters, trapped in an apartment building, slowly losing their resources and sanity as days go by until lockdown ceases? Sounds like 2020 to me, but add in the twist that the madman rabies has people biting other's necks out and infecting them raises the stakes by 100. I really thought the drama would be more thriller than it was, though - it was, plenty, but I was expecting full apocalyptic (again, went in with almost no knowledge).
I was super disappointed by the ending, though - What happened? Was the cure made? Did they decide that they'll just find more people with antibodies? What happened to the colonel? His child? The lieutenant? The ENTIRE REST OF THE (HUGE) CAST??? The world in general after suffering from an outbreak of something to that degree? It was never clear on how the madman rabies affected the world outside of the walls.
Every single one of the countless characters were all amazing and unique with their own motivations and stakes and I particularly loved that damn doctor from unit 601 every time he came on screen. I also loved the lieutenant, why was she doing literally everything?? It was so cool of her I love her she's so cool :) My actual absolute favorite character was Andrew (pre-reveal) but I don't think I have too much to say on that. I loved seeing him onscreen and what happened with him was one of the things that had me in the most shock out of all plot reveals. There being a hidden character isn't uncommon in mystery media but I was SO surprised to see it happen here. The characters are so SOLID, especially the FL and ML (of course). The beginning hooked me on them and I can't help but think back on that very first scene all the time.
Despite being titled Happiness, this drama is rather more about love and every form of it, but particularly romantic. Love is what drives the plot, while the relationships are what drive the drama - The evolution of these relationships keeps things tense and constantly moving while the love in (some of) the relationships keeps things secure. The only relationships that remain unchanged and solid throughout the drama are our core - Yi Hyun and Sae Beom, as well as Han Tae Seok to his infected wife and unborn child. It's the love that keeps these relationships unwavering, unlike with the rest of the residents. None of the other relationships in the drama have the love that these do. I think my genius moment was in episode 12 when I realized that Sae Beom and Han Tae Seok are basically foils. Insane and I love them. Their complex relationship is one of my favorites here, honestly. The way he sees her changes throughout the series, going from simply a test subject to someone he can trust and willingly risks his entire career for.
Also I absolutely loved the music. The soundtrack is phenomenal and I would absolutely listen to it outside of the show itself.
There isn't much more I have to say, but in short, I enjoyed this drama so much. I could talk about even more - I didn't even mention Seo Yoon or the amount of blood or the pills or how much the stakes are raised as days go by or the hopefulness that shines through despite the situation or the ROOFTOP. But I really don't know what else to say other than I enjoyed my experience with it and it will definitely remain one of my favorite dramas for a long while. Thank you Happiness for the great time :)
Going down the list of ratings, the story is something I was rather surprised by - especially with regards to the disease. It taking place IN 2021 (presumably), after the outbreak of covid-19, was so surprising to me? An illness directly after an illness? I thought the plot would go crazy with that (it did not).
Following that, the plot in general is so fascinating. A huge cast of characters, trapped in an apartment building, slowly losing their resources and sanity as days go by until lockdown ceases? Sounds like 2020 to me, but add in the twist that the madman rabies has people biting other's necks out and infecting them raises the stakes by 100. I really thought the drama would be more thriller than it was, though - it was, plenty, but I was expecting full apocalyptic (again, went in with almost no knowledge).
I was super disappointed by the ending, though - What happened? Was the cure made? Did they decide that they'll just find more people with antibodies? What happened to the colonel? His child? The lieutenant? The ENTIRE REST OF THE (HUGE) CAST??? The world in general after suffering from an outbreak of something to that degree? It was never clear on how the madman rabies affected the world outside of the walls.
Every single one of the countless characters were all amazing and unique with their own motivations and stakes and I particularly loved that damn doctor from unit 601 every time he came on screen. I also loved the lieutenant, why was she doing literally everything?? It was so cool of her I love her she's so cool :) My actual absolute favorite character was Andrew (pre-reveal) but I don't think I have too much to say on that. I loved seeing him onscreen and what happened with him was one of the things that had me in the most shock out of all plot reveals. There being a hidden character isn't uncommon in mystery media but I was SO surprised to see it happen here. The characters are so SOLID, especially the FL and ML (of course). The beginning hooked me on them and I can't help but think back on that very first scene all the time.
Despite being titled Happiness, this drama is rather more about love and every form of it, but particularly romantic. Love is what drives the plot, while the relationships are what drive the drama - The evolution of these relationships keeps things tense and constantly moving while the love in (some of) the relationships keeps things secure. The only relationships that remain unchanged and solid throughout the drama are our core - Yi Hyun and Sae Beom, as well as Han Tae Seok to his infected wife and unborn child. It's the love that keeps these relationships unwavering, unlike with the rest of the residents. None of the other relationships in the drama have the love that these do. I think my genius moment was in episode 12 when I realized that Sae Beom and Han Tae Seok are basically foils. Insane and I love them. Their complex relationship is one of my favorites here, honestly. The way he sees her changes throughout the series, going from simply a test subject to someone he can trust and willingly risks his entire career for.
Also I absolutely loved the music. The soundtrack is phenomenal and I would absolutely listen to it outside of the show itself.
There isn't much more I have to say, but in short, I enjoyed this drama so much. I could talk about even more - I didn't even mention Seo Yoon or the amount of blood or the pills or how much the stakes are raised as days go by or the hopefulness that shines through despite the situation or the ROOFTOP. But I really don't know what else to say other than I enjoyed my experience with it and it will definitely remain one of my favorite dramas for a long while. Thank you Happiness for the great time :)
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