Hello, everyone! How are you doing? Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the drama Happiness, a standout and socially aware zombie thriller available on Netflix that fuses horror with insightful critiques of contemporary society and class disparities.
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Premiering in November 2021 on tvN, Happiness subsequently made its way to Netflix, featuring 12 episodes, each lasting around 65 minutes. This Korean drama was penned by writer Han Sang-woon and directed by Ahn Gil-ho, both recognized for their contributions to well-received series.
Set in a near-future Korea, this zombie thriller revolves around a new drug named “Next” that induces zombie-like symptoms, confining inhabitants of a luxury apartment complex during a city-wide lockdown. The series blends horror, social satire, and romance, utilizing the zombie apocalypse backdrop to delve into themes of class disparity, human nature, and societal collapse.
What makes this show distinct is its focus on psychological tension and social interactions rather than conventional zombie action, creating a suffocating atmosphere that reflects real-world fears surrounding pandemics, isolation, and community disintegration.
Lockdown and the Nature of Humanity
At the heart of Happiness are 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 the synthetic drug “Next” incites violent, zombie-like reactions in users, the city enforces a lockdown, trapping the residents within their complex.
As the infection spreads and supplies dwindle, the true natures of the apartment’s residents come to light, exposing class distinctions and personal biases. The series examines how crises strip away social veneers, revealing both the darkest and brightest sides of human behavior.
Each episode reveals layers of the residents’ personalities while heightening the tension surrounding the infectious threat, crafting a dual narrative about external dangers and internal human monsters.
Determination of Yoon Sae-bom
Han Hyo-joo delivers an exceptional performance as Yoon Sae-bom, a former military officer turned police detective who has natural immunity to the zombie virus. Her character embodies resilience, loyalty, and moral courage amid chaos.
Throughout the series, Sae-bom evolves from a survival-focused individual to a leader committed to protecting her entire community. Her intense resolve and steadfast moral compass make her an engaging protagonist who stands firm in her values, even when faced with challenging decisions.
Jung Yi-hyun’s Love and Protection
Park Hyung-sik plays Jung Yi-hyun, a police detective who has been in love with Sae-bom since high school and becomes her pretend husband to help her acquire the apartment. His character symbolizes loyalty, sacrifice, and the strength of unconditional love in times of crisis.
Yi-hyun’s character journey explores themes of protection, devotion, and moral ambiguity as he navigates the conflict between his police duties and his instinct to shield Sae-bom. His relationship with Sae-bom serves as the emotional core of the series, illustrating how love can empower individuals during humanity’s darkest hours.
Climactic Battle Between Humanity and Monsters
The series culminates in a dramatic showdown where the apartment residents must decide between individual survival and communal safety. This confrontation involves not only combating zombie threats but also facing the human monsters that arise during the crisis.
The concluding episodes expertly balance action with emotional resolution as characters confront the repercussions of their choices made during the lockdown. The climax investigates whether humanity can surmount its base instincts when facing extinction and if communal ties can withstand ultimate tests.
Community Dynamics in the Apartment
Happiness showcases a varied cast of apartment residents representing different layers of Korean society, ranging from affluent families to struggling middle-class individuals. Characters like the self-serving lawyer Oh Ju-hyung and the elitist housewife Han Tae-seok embody antagonistic traits, with their classist attitudes and selfishness fostering internal strife.
These supporting characters effectively demonstrate how crises unveil true character, with some rising to heroism while others succumb to selfishness and cruelty, creating a microcosm of society’s reaction to disaster.
Triumph on Netflix
Happiness achieved international acclaim on Netflix for its clever take on the zombie genre, praised for its use of horror elements to convey sharp social critiques regarding class disparities and communal responsibilities. The series was celebrated for its authentic portrayal of pandemic-like scenarios and lockdown psychology, resonating with audiences worldwide who faced similar situations during COVID-19. The chemistry between Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik received widespread recognition, with many considering their relationship one of the most genuine romantic partnerships 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 discussions.
If you enjoy zombie thrillers infused with profound social commentary and strong romantic elements, Happiness is an ideal series to binge-watch on Netflix.
A remarkable fusion of horror and social satire that uses the zombie apocalypse to illuminate the best and worst of human nature during crises.
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 represent human greed and classism