Hello, everyone! How’s everything? Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the drama Happiness, which stands out as a distinctive and socially aware zombie thriller on Netflix, seamlessly blending horror with insightful commentary on contemporary society and class disparities.
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Premiering in November 2021 on tvN, Happiness later became accessible on Netflix with a total of 12 episodes, each running approximately 65 minutes. This South Korean drama was crafted by writer Han Sang-woon and directed by Ahn Gil-ho, both recognized for their contributions to critically acclaimed series.
Set in a near-future Korea, this zombie thriller revolves around a new drug named “Next,” which induces zombie-like symptoms, confining residents of a luxury apartment complex during a comprehensive city lockdown. The series artfully combines horror elements, social satire, and romantic drama, using the zombie apocalypse backdrop to delve into class disparity, human instincts, and societal collapse.
The show offers a fresh perspective by emphasizing psychological tension and social interactions over conventional zombie action, crafting an oppressive environment that reflects real-world concerns surrounding pandemics, isolation, and the breakdown of community.
Lockdown and the Essence of Humanity
Happiness revolves around Yoon Sae-bom and Jung Yi-hyun, two police officers who fake a marriage to obtain an apartment in an upscale residence. When a new synthetic drug called “Next” triggers violent, zombie-like behaviors in users, the city enters a lockdown, confining the residents within their building.
As the infection proliferates and resources dwindle, the residents’ true natures emerge, exposing class divides and personal biases. The series examines how crises strip away social facades, revealing both the noblest and most depraved aspects of humanity.
Each episode gradually unveils the layers of the residents’ personalities while escalating the tension surrounding the infection threat, crafting a dual narrative of external zombie peril and internal human monstrosities.
Yoon Sae-bom’s Unyielding Resolve
Han Hyo-joo delivers a stunning performance as Yoon Sae-bom, a former military officer turned police detective who possesses natural immunity to the zombie virus. Her character embodies resilience, loyalty, and moral integrity amidst overwhelming chaos.
Throughout the series, Sae-bom’s journey illustrates her transformation from a self-centered survivor to a leader committed to safeguarding her community. Her fierce determination and steadfast moral compass make her an engaging protagonist who stands firm on her principles, even when faced with impossible dilemmas.
Jung Yi-hyun’s Devoted Protection
Park Hyung-sik plays Jung Yi-hyun, a police detective who has harbored feelings for Sae-bom since their high school days and becomes her fake husband to assist her in securing the apartment. His character symbolizes loyalty, sacrifice, and the strength of unconditional love during dire circumstances.
Yi-hyun’s character development navigates themes of protection, commitment, and moral ambiguity as he grapples with his responsibilities as a police officer and his desire to keep Sae-bom safe. His relationship with Sae-bom serves as the emotional backbone of the series, illustrating how love can provide solace in humanity’s darkest hours.
The Climactic Battle of Humanity vs. Monsters
The series builds to an intense confrontation where the apartment residents must choose between self-preservation and the welfare of the community. This pivotal moment involves not only fending off zombie threats but also confronting the human beasts that have surfaced amid the crisis.
The finale expertly balances action-packed sequences with emotional resolutions as characters face the repercussions of their choices throughout the lockdown. The climax examines whether humanity can transcend its basest instincts when confronted with annihilation and if community ties can endure the ultimate trials.
The Apartment Community
Happiness showcases a diverse ensemble of apartment residents who embody various facets of Korean society, ranging from affluent, entitled families to struggling middle-class individuals. Characters such as the self-serving lawyer Oh Ju-hyung and the privileged housewife Han Tae-seok act as antagonists, with their classist perspectives and egocentricity fuelling internal conflict.
These supporting characters effectively demonstrate how crises reveal true character, with some rising to heroism while others descend into selfishness and cruelty, creating a microcosm of society’s response to disaster.
Acclaimed Success on Netflix
Happiness garnered international acclaim on Netflix for its intelligent take on the zombie genre, celebrated for employing horror elements to provide sharp social commentary on class inequality and communal responsibility. The series was recognized for its authentic depiction of pandemic-like scenarios and lockdown psychology, resonating with global viewers who faced similar situations during COVID-19. The chemistry between Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik received widespread acclaim, with many viewing their relationship as one of the most genuine romantic partnerships in recent K-drama. The show’s success illustrated that zombie thrillers can be both entertaining and thought-provoking, elevating the genre beyond mere horror into significant social discourse.
If you enjoy zombie thrillers infused with profound social commentary and strong romantic elements, Happiness is the ideal series to binge-watch on Netflix.
A brilliant fusion of horror and social commentary that utilizes the zombie apocalypse to reveal the best and worst of human nature during a 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 embody human greed and classism