Happiness

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.

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Hardest k-drama watch ever

Honestly, I have never been more annoyed at a series than this. The initial idea was great but the execution and the storywriting was just painful, illogical and frustrating. The first couple of episodes were nice, I was interested to see what is next, but when they got into the apartment, it just got bad.

Let's start with the man who operated the desease prevention teams, looking for a cure etc. Nobody in their right mind would keep it a secret when it is dangerous and people could get hurt. Also, locking up healthy people with infected ones just to keep them inside and also to see if they can develop a cure, whatever the reason was, is a felony. It was completely irrealistic for the government and the official disease team to make these decisions, especially when things got only worse and the higher up dude was a total ass. Overall, their decisions and actions only put oil to the fire and it was absolutely not okay.

Then the other part, the residents at the apartment. I have never seen such annoying characters. Most of them didn't have a single kind bone in their body, they always were acting childish, irrational and selfish. I get that people can get scared and also can be really mean, evil too, but this was too much for me just with this few characters. There was no comic relief, it was only whining and being undecisive and always trying to get an irrational advantage. It was a tough life-death situation where they should have fought together, that would have been rational, but instead, they were always sabotaging the two main characters, who could actually do something. They were the only ones who were able to protect them, and they never saw it like that. I think this was because of the terrible writing, it was dragged out so much that they had to repeat every elemnt like four times.

To mention a few good things, at least the main characters were good actors with heartwarming chemistry, they were the ones who endured the most and actually tried to make things right. Their conversations had meaning, actually getting deeper by the episodes. I appreciated the badass attitude and bravery, so at least that was something. I also liked the theme song, it was great at some scenes. Happiness would be a great message, but it wasn't highlighted at all.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend watching it, if you are triggered by annoying, irrational people and an unrealistic plot. I don't get why this got such a high rating, probably because of the two main actors, they deserve the praise but this is just not what I would like to see ever again.

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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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This is an excellent drama. It was action packed, but also had its slower moments so the audience has time to catch it's breath. The rush to tie up the storyline in the final episode was it's only drawback, in my opinion. Other than that, the story was thorough, well scripted, and well acted.

I love that neither mains are weak characters. (For instance, the strong ML isn't always having to rescue the weak FL.) Both are strong, physically and mentally, fighting against the bad guys WITH each other instead of one always fighting to save the other. When one goes out alone, the other pities their opponents. Yes, they do protect each other, but they also trust in each other's skills. [The takedown of the pastor is the best physical (wrestling? martial arts?) move I have ever seen....I rewatched that, like, 8ish times!]

I also love that the drama didn't depend on tropes in order to portray the mains falling for each other. There was no awkwardness, only a clear and obvious friendship that allowed itself to deepen naturally as time passed. (Granted, the ML developed feelings 10 years earlier, but his one-sided love was willing to wait for her.)

I was surprised that they never called the infection zombie-like. There was never one mention of zombies. But the infected people's actions and appearance was clearly within the zombie universe. I'm personally fine with that, as I like zombie stories, even though I am not the biggest fan of gore. Ya can't have one without the other though.

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MY GOD THIS DRAMA MADE ME POP A BLOOD VESSEL

Okay the story itself was good it had a pretty neat twist it on the whole zombie “apocalypse” (not really an apocalypse but whatever) it kept me entertained and the characters outside of the apartment complex i really liked them solid characters not the best but still pretty the thing that pmo SO MUCH was the characters INSIDE the apartment WHY WERE THEY SO FUCKING STUPID I WAS ITCHING FOR ALL OF THEM TO DIE THE ONLY REASONABLE AND SMART CHARACTERS WERE THE MAIN LEADS AND MY BABY SEO YOON ACTUALLY NO FUCK YOU THE MAIN LEADS ALSO PMO WHY??? BECAUSE WHY TF WERE THEY VERBALLY EDGING EACHOTHER AND THE AUDIENCE EVERYBODY KNEW THAT THEY WANTED EACHOTHER SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING AND WHAT DID THEY DO??? THEY STAYED IN AND I QUOTE MIND NUMBING AND BORING MATING RITUAL LIKE FUCK YOU THIS ISNT A SLOW BURN IF THEY WERE GIVING EACHOTHER FUCK ME EYES FOR THE WHOLE OF IT AND THEY STAYED LIKE THAT FOR WHAT??? AN EDGING KINK??? IDK BUT YOU CANT CONVINCE IT WAS ANYTHING ELSE MY GOD anyway imma rewatch and hopefully not pop another blood vessel

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Not as bad as others say it is.....

The show had a lot of potential that sadly fell through. Even with the compelling premise and strong chemistry between the leads, the pacing and resolution affected the overall experience. The story felt rushed—especially toward the end. Everything getting resolved in the last 20 minutes didn't sit right with me. That quick wrap-up with the ending being happily ever after, left me with so many lingering questions, especially when big plot points like that fake-out death with the ML five minutes before the ending. You can't give us a fake-out death and then reveal the character is alive just three minutes later! I feel like an additional episode or two would have done wonders for providing more satisfying answers and character resolutions. I still have so many questions, particularly about what happened to everyone else in the apartment complex after they were captured. However, I would love to see Han Hyo Joo & Park Hyung Sik acting as a couple in a drama again.

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Suspenseful but Predictable

I love the acting skills and the first two episodes of this show. But as the story progresses, it starts to feel a bit predictable in some areas. The tension and suspense are well-executed early on, keeping me engaged, and the chemistry between the lead actors adds to the show's appeal.

However, while the premise is intriguing, some plot developments feel repetitive, and the pacing loses its grip in later episodes. The social commentary is interesting, but it could have been explored more deeply. Despite its strong start, Happiness doesn't fully maintain its momentum until the end.

Overall, it's an okay watch with some great moments, but it didn't leave a lasting impact on me. I rate it 5.5/10.

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Is this Fascist Propaganda or Nihilism? Or Anti-Capitalist? It certainly isn't about happiness.

Happiness begins as a generally competent zombie infection drama, but swiftly becomes a frustrating watch, and one consistently haunted by Sweet Home. Seriously, if you freeze frame at certain scenes you'll probably catch the shadowy specter of Sweet Home giving double middle fingers to the proceedings.

Which, frankly, if it had just been a rip-off I could have dealt with it. BUT Happiness fails to understand the messy, sincere humanity of Sweet Home which made it successful, and instead rams occasionally contradicting, tactless messaging down our throats. Almost all of these characters are the worst kind of people, and not in any thematically fulfilling or narratively sensible way. They just suck and have no skills, because it's their sucky decisions and lack of teamwork which propel the stumbling inbred beast I will call 'the plot' because I have to, not because there's any cohesion or thought to it. Most of the 'plot' is just our cop couple running to different ends of the building to put out assorted fires caused by all these sucky, venal, stupid, selfish people. Of which more than the average number are murderers.

Money and social hierarchy are the primary messaging here- not happiness and the avenues through which it can be achieved. Rather than understanding the complexities of financial situations, the plot fixates on the money- there is almost no character motivation that isn't about monetary (and therefore social) advances to an almost satirical degree. They keep mentioning fees for things, stealing other people's cash or property, specifying that those who rent their condos are less worthy of resources than those who own, or otherwise centralizing money in the narrative in a way that makes no sense given the literal apocalypse going on outside. 'Oh, but you're living here for free' the HOA woman points out to two cleaners. BITCH You're all quarantined under indefinite martial law?!

So, while taking people to task for overt greed instead of financial desperation, fascist undertones can't help but manifest. The two police are essentially the only smart, capable, good people. They also represent the ultimate hegemonic family unit; a straight couple with a child. I know the kid is adopted, it still stands. The other residents, if left to their own devices, will hurt each other; the viewer is supposed to go 'this is dumb, just do what the police tell you!'. Their constant disobedience of the police and government edicts is painted in comically bad strokes; in service to hubris and the chaos of the plot, and not for any good character reasons. It also ignores the subtly that, yes, sometimes you should obey what an authority says, but also you have to be able to tell when that authority does not have your best interests at heart. The fact that our leads are both cops/special forces makes this messy; the turning against them in the building serves as the people turning against the force for law, order and salvation. Not that the government has been doing anything sensible anyway. What are you saying about cops? Government? Civil Obedience? Do you even know?

I'd be remiss in mentioning the strong theme of men being terrible to women. Which was something. What, I'm not sure. I do enjoy media being critical of gender inequity, but this was weird. You have at least three spouses showing differing levels of neglect, abuse and disregard of their often inoffensive to sensible female partners. Men are impulsive, self-serving and tunnel-visioned. The women are weak and inefficient. Even here, Happiness has feelings about gender dynamics, but doesn't know what it wants to say about them.

At episode 7 I was really done with this. It hates all it's characters, it thinks people are the worst. It has nothing to say as it makes you sit through excruciating moments of dumbassery and ham-fisted stupidity, but with no pay-off and no justice. The ending is just as forced and hollow, not even the tepid love story is tied up in a satisfactory way.

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