Hello, everyone! How’s everything? Today, I’m excited to discuss the drama Happiness, which has emerged as one of the most distinctive and socially aware zombie thrillers on Netflix, fusing horror with insightful critiques of contemporary society and class disparities.
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Happiness debuted in November 2021 on tvN and subsequently became available on Netflix, consisting of 12 episodes with an average runtime of 65 minutes each. This Korean series was crafted by writer Han Sang-woon and directed by Ahn Gil-ho, both recognized for their contributions to highly regarded shows.
Set in a near-future Korea, this zombie thriller revolves around a new drug named “Next” that induces zombie-like symptoms, confining residents of a luxury apartment complex during a city-wide lockdown. The show intertwines horror, social satire, and romantic drama, utilizing the zombie apocalypse backdrop to delve into issues of class disparity, human nature, and societal collapse.
The series adopts a unique perspective that emphasizes psychological tension and social interactions over conventional zombie action, cultivating a claustrophobic environment that reflects real-world fears regarding pandemics, isolation, and the disintegration of community.
Lockdown and Human Nature
Happiness revolves around Yoon Sae-bom and Jung Yi-hyun, two police officers who enter into a sham marriage to secure an apartment in a prestigious building. When the new synthetic drug “Next” triggers violent, zombie-like behavior in its users, the city goes into lockdown, confining the residents within their building.
As the infection spreads and resources dwindle, the residents’ true characters emerge, revealing class divisions and personal biases. The series examines how crises can strip away social pretenses, showcasing both the worst and best sides of human behavior.
Each episode unravels layers of the characters’ personalities while enhancing the tension surrounding the escalating infection threat, creating a dual narrative that addresses external zombie dangers as well as internal human monstrosities.
Yoon Sae-bom’s Unyielding Resolve
Han Hyo-joo gives a stellar 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 integrity amidst overwhelming chaos.
Sae-bom’s journey throughout the series highlights her transition from a self-centered survivor to a leader committed to safeguarding the entire community. Her fierce resolve and steadfast moral compass make her a captivating protagonist who stands firm on her values, even in dire situations.
Jung Yi-hyun’s Devoted Protection
Park Hyung-sik portrays Jung Yi-hyun, a police detective who has harbored feelings for Sae-bom since their high school days and becomes her fake husband to secure their apartment. His character symbolizes loyalty, sacrifice, and the strength of unconditional love during crises.
Yi-hyun’s journey explores themes of protection, devotion, and ethical flexibility as he grapples with his duty as a police officer and his desire to keep Sae-bom safe. His relationship with Sae-bom serves as the emotional core of the series, illustrating how love can be a source of strength in humanity’s darkest hours.
Ultimate Showdown of Humanity and Monsters
The series escalates toward a climactic confrontation where the apartment residents must decide between self-preservation and the survival of the community. This confrontation involves not just fending off zombie threats but also confronting the human monsters that emerge during the crisis.
The concluding episodes expertly balance action-packed sequences with emotional resolutions as characters face the repercussions of their decisions throughout the lockdown. The climax questions whether humanity can rise above its darkest instincts in the face of extinction and whether communal ties can endure the ultimate challenge.
The Apartment Community
Happiness features a varied ensemble of apartment residents who reflect different facets of Korean society, from affluent entitled families to struggling middle-class individuals. Characters like the selfish lawyer Oh Ju-hyung and the privileged housewife Han Tae-seok serve as antagonists whose classist attitudes and self-serving behaviors generate internal discord.
These supporting characters effectively demonstrate how crises reveal true character, with some rising to heroism while others descend into greed and cruelty, forming a microcosm of society’s reaction to disaster.
Success on Netflix
Happiness gained worldwide acclaim on Netflix for its astute take on the zombie genre, celebrated for utilizing horror elements to provide pointed social commentary on class disparities and communal responsibility. The series was lauded for its authentic representation of pandemic-like scenarios and lockdown psychology, resonating with global viewers who faced similar challenges during COVID-19. The chemistry between Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik was widely praised, with many deeming their relationship one of the most genuine romantic connections in recent K-dramas. The show’s success highlighted that zombie thrillers can be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating, lifting the genre above mere horror into significant social discussions.
For fans of zombie thrillers infused with profound social commentary and robust romantic elements, Happiness is an ideal series to binge-watch on Netflix.
A brilliant fusion of horror and social satire that uses the zombie apocalypse to illuminate the best and worst aspects 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