This review may contain spoilers
BEST REALISTIC HORROR DRAMA!!1
Finally, i have finished this drama!! Before i start, i just wanna say don't listen to all the negative views on this drama--it is really not worth ur precious time (just cover ears and start it), i 100& promise you, u won't ever regret it...this drama has every elements, starting from action, to thriller, to mystery, to crime and to top it all there is now romance with it, along with outstanding chemistry coming from the actors and actresses, especially our leads Park HyungSik and Han Hyo Joo.Firstly, this drama begins in a high-rise apartment complex during a deadly viral outbreak. As the virus spreads, turning people into aggressive, infected individuals, residents are trapped inside the building. The story follows a police officer, a former soldier, and a public relations officer as they navigate the challenges of survival, facing both the infected and the darker side of human nature. The drama explores themes of fear, trust, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. What makes this drama stand out to me is that it isn't a zombie drama at all, it a story where they make it realistic when an INHUMANES bit u or the drug taken that turn people INFECTOR ( what we call the inhumane ones in the drama) and how long and how far it takes, and even if u can recover from a bite of them...it is surely a really thrilling ride of a drama as it takes u on a exciting but adventurous journey of the characters.. Our leads chemistry sure took an unexpected turn as Han Hyo-joo (as Yoon Sae-bom) and Park Hyung-sik (as Jung Yi-hyun) have a natural and effortless bond. Their characters are longtime friends who pretend to be married, but their deep trust and subtle romantic tension make their interactions feel real. Han Hyo-joo brings a strong yet warm energy, while Park Hyung-sik balances her with his calm and caring personality.
Their chemistry shines in both action-packed and emotional moments, making their relationship one of the highlights of the drama, i really loved how their connection felt both protective and romantic, adding depth to the survival thriller storyline. The next lead is our leveheaded, collheaded, justiceseeker, Han Tae Seok, his character may seem out of place for u all, but just so u know as u all start to watch more of him, u will realise his reasons for such behaviours that he displayed and spoiler alert there's a particular episode that will leave u STARSTRUCK)..just watch him and u will know and can evaluately judge him properly...to the other supporting casts especially the tenants living in the apartments, u all did so amazingly well and ur credition to the drama definetly uplifted it too...The old guy detective, than commander doctor, our little gurl Seoyoon, they all did so perfectly well and excecuted their characters well...Thank u to all the production staff, the stylists, the writer, director, editor, every single one, i say THANK U so much....
Lastly, the main point of HAPPINESS is "Even in a world falling apart, love, trust, and resilience can still survive. As Yi-hyun and Sae-bom , and the other tenants INFECTORS fight for their future, they prove that true happiness isn’t about survival—it’s about who you choose to survive with."
THANK U ALL FOR READING THIS....
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This review may contain spoilers
Great suspense and an endearing friends to lovers romance ....Will this end on a cynical, happy or tragic note? Finding out the answer kept me on the edge of my seat for all 12 episodes. More thriller than horror, Happiness reminded me of the old X-files series in the US. The main couple treat each other as equals, long time friends who can communicate without speaking a word. They both are bad*ss and excel at their jobs.
Similar to his role in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Hyungsik is excellent at portraying someone who is head over heels for the woman next to him - in all her strengths and weaknesses. Han Hyo-joo does an excellent job of portraying very grounded, protective qualities with no patience for the strong hurting the week.
The ~12-16 side characters are distinctive with GOOD and BAD qualities that are played as archetypes/caricatures. Overwhelmingly, the bad qualities are delusion, greed, and narcissism. Despite exaggerated portrayals, I thought the personalities represented were accurate and rare to see. I was as invested in side plots as I was the main plot, and didn't feel any urge to skip the side character scenes.
(*SPOILER* big minus points for interjecting a needless serial killer storyline, and also using the sociopathic doctor one too many times)
The music was really well done with two very distinctive styles: amped up/industrial and mournful, nostalgic guitar. The two different music styles kept you guessing as to whether the show would end happily or sadly.
Rewatch - I'm not sure about rewatch, but definitely a lot of the visuals are going to stick in my head, I felt like I was stuck in the apartment building with them and that I knew these characters and cheered them (well some of them) on.
(*SPOILER* minus points for making the end scenes not at all reflect the depth of the show - it was like all the trauma etc. was all magically erased)
I grade on other criteria as well:
Themes: 8.5
Greed and never-ending desires are the downfall of human beings. Continuing to be narcissistic, self-centered, and fantasizing about triumphing over others in crisis are unfortunate traits in many. Trauma and tragedy often magnify the character traits that already existed. Keeping grounded in reality, surrounded by family and friends can keep hope alive and the ability to continue to be a community minded human being. Home, family (blood or found) are the keys to happiness. Overcoming disappointment early in life and finding reasons to live can provide resilience in tough circumstances down the road.
(*Spoiler* if the show had ended differently, I would have given the themes a higher score, but in the last 15 minutes it's like the whole disease never happened.)
Complex characters/Character Growth: 7
The general was an excellent complex character, with a mix of opportunism and a moral center. The rest didn't so much grow as illustrate how different types of people respond to crisis. It was realistic that people would still obsess over real estate portfolios, wealth and how to take advantage of a crisis for their own benefit. I also thought it was realistic that people would take silly risks on the optimism that they were special/unique or wouldn't trust others evaluation of the dangers until they had experience it themselves.
Complex women characters/Relationships between Women: 7.5
Yoon Sae-Boom is a really wonderful mix of caring, nurturing and can't stand societal niceties. Despite her slight figure, you never feel like she couldn't kick *ss and take names. It was a realistic blend too, not whiplash between two different selves. I liked the range of women presented and also a minor theme about how women handle crisis vs men. The show, however, had a ratio of 1:1 women to men characters, and the women didn't have rich relationships with each other.
Production Values/Cinematography: 9
There were some really striking visual scenes, great use of music and realistic fight scenes with lots of grappling and use of the human body. In this era of CGI, the real zombies and physical fighting were very much welcome. 1 point off as it was completely unbelievable (esp. given the number of cars in the parking lot) how few residents were in the building when it was locked down - the lack of people just felt odd.
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Blends the story of love and thriller in a well executed drama
Happiness, as the name sounds, isn't all about happiness though. This thriller drama sees an apocalyptic world where virus has created a havoc and residents of an apartment are surviving for their life.Happiness had a decent story with a very good production and overall visuals. The soundtrack though, was the best part in the entire drama. The music tuned to the perfect rhythm along with the key moments in the series.
Not forgetting about the leads who gave a commendable performance and maintained romantic chemistry among themselves. It might not be a part of my Top 5 drama of the year, but it was a very well made show which blended multiple genres/aspects and delivered a convincing result.
My Rating : 7.5/10
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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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This review may contain spoilers
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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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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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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This review may contain spoilers
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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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.
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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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