Hello, everyone! How are you? Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the drama Happiness, which has emerged as one of the most distinctive and socially relevant zombie thrillers available on Netflix, skillfully merging horror with incisive commentary on contemporary society and class disparities.
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Happiness made its debut in November 2021 on tvN and subsequently became available on Netflix, comprising 12 episodes, each averaging around 65 minutes in length. This Korean drama was penned by writer Han Sang-woon and directed by Ahn Gil-ho, who have both garnered acclaim for their contributions to notable series.
Set in a near-future version of Korea, this zombie thriller revolves around a new drug known as “Next,” which induces zombie-like symptoms, confining residents of a luxurious apartment complex during a city-wide lockdown. The show intertwines horror, social satire, and romantic elements, utilizing the zombie apocalypse as a backdrop to examine class disparities, human nature, and societal collapse.
Rather than focusing primarily on conventional zombie action, the series emphasizes psychological tension and social interaction, creating an oppressive atmosphere that reflects real-life anxieties related to pandemics, isolation, and the disintegration of community.
Human Nature Amidst Pandemic Lockdown
Happiness follows Yoon Sae-bom and Jung Yi-hyun, two police officers who enter into a sham marriage to secure an apartment in a high-end building. When a new synthetic substance called “Next” leads to violent, zombie-like conduct among users, the entire city finds itself in lockdown, trapping residents within their building.
As the infection spreads and resources dwindle, the true natures of the apartment’s residents are revealed, with class disparities and personal biases surfacing. The series delves into how crises strip away societal facades, exposing both the darkest and most admirable aspects of human conduct.
Each episode gradually uncovers layers of the residents’ personalities while escalating tension regarding the looming threat of infection, creating a dual narrative that juxtaposes external zombie peril with internal human monstrosities.
Yoon Sae-bom’s Unyielding Resolve
Han Hyo-joo delivers an outstanding performance as Yoon Sae-bom, a former military officer now serving as a police detective who has innate immunity to the zombie virus. Her character embodies resilience, loyalty, and moral fortitude in the face of chaos.
Sae-bom’s character arc illustrates her transformation from someone prioritizing personal survival to a leader determined to safeguard the entire community. Her fierce resolve and steadfast moral compass make her a captivating protagonist who remains true to her principles even in dire circumstances.
Jung Yi-hyun’s Devoted Affection
Park Hyung-sik plays Jung Yi-hyun, a police detective who has nursed feelings for Sae-bom since their high school days and becomes her faux husband to aid her in obtaining the apartment. His character represents loyalty, sacrifice, and the strength of unconditional love in times of crisis.
Yi-hyun’s narrative arc examines themes of protection, devotion, and ethical ambiguity as he navigates the conflict between his responsibilities as a police officer and his desire to ensure Sae-bom’s safety. His relationship with Sae-bom serves as the emotional core of the series, illustrating how love can provide resilience during humanity’s bleakest hours.
The Final Showdown of Humanity and Monsters
The series culminates in a dramatic confrontation where the apartment residents must decide between self-preservation and the survival of the community. This climax not only involves combating zombie threats but also confronting the human monstrosities that have surfaced during the crisis.
The concluding episodes expertly balance action with emotional resolution as characters confront the repercussions of their decisions throughout the lockdown. The climax questions whether humanity can transcend its basest instincts when faced with annihilation and whether communal bonds can withstand ultimate challenges.
The Apartment Community Dynamics
Happiness showcases a varied ensemble of apartment residents representing different facets of Korean society, ranging from affluent, entitled families to struggling middle-class individuals. Characters like the self-serving lawyer Oh Ju-hyung and the privileged housewife Han Tae-seok act as antagonists whose elitist attitudes and selfishness incite internal strife.
These supporting characters effectively highlight how crises unveil true character, with some rising to heroism while others succumb to selfishness and cruelty, forming a microcosm of society’s reaction to disaster.
Achievements on Netflix
Happiness received global acclaim on Netflix for its intelligent take on the zombie genre, recognized for utilizing horror elements to convey astute social critiques regarding class inequality and communal responsibility. The series was celebrated for its authentic depiction of pandemic-like scenarios and lockdown psychology, resonating with international audiences who encountered similar situations during COVID-19. The chemistry between Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik garnered widespread admiration, with many considering their relationship one of the most genuine romantic dynamics in recent K-drama. The show’s success proved that zombie thrillers can be both entertaining and thought-provoking, elevating the genre beyond mere horror into significant social dialogue.
If you enjoy zombie thrillers enriched with profound social commentary and intense romantic elements, Happiness is the ideal series to binge-watch on Netflix.
A brilliant fusion of horror and social satire that employs the zombie apocalypse to reveal the best and worst of human nature in times of crisis.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Platform: Netflix (originally tvN)
- Rating: 7.9/10 (IMDb)
- Genre: Zombie Thriller, Social Drama, Romance, Horror
- Protagonists: Han Hyo-joo (Yoon Sae-bom), Park Hyung-sik (Jung Yi-hyun)
- Antagonist: The Next virus/infected zombies, selfish residents like Oh Ju-hyung and Han Tae-seok who personify human greed and classism