Happiness (Korean TV Series) Review

The popularity of zombie tales has increased in Korean dramas along with the popularity of other sad tales that have been used as intentional parables of the unavoidable faults of modern society. That was largely influenced by Happiness. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though, because even zombies may revert to their original condition.

Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik, and Jo Woo-jin star in the Studio Dragon-produced South Korean TV series Happiness. In a time where contagious illnesses have become the new normal, a world-destroying thrill ride occurs. On November 5, 2021, it had its tvN premiere with 12 episodes.

Plot From Asianwiki

Set in the near future, a high-rise apartment building has been newly constructed in the big city. The apartment building has residents from diverse backgrounds, but a new infectious disease breaks out. Because of the outbreak, the high-rise apartment is sealed off. The residents struggle to survive, while stricken with fear and distrust of others.

Yoon Sae-Bom (Han Hyo-Joo) is a member of aspecial police squad. She is decisive, determined, and does not easily get rattled. She is excited to move into her new apartment, but, as soon as moves there, she faces a crisis.

Jung Yi-Hyun (Park Hyung-Sik) is a detective. He is smart and honest. For a long time, he has held romantic feelings for Yoon Sae-Bom. They graduated from the same high school. Jung Yi-Hyun struggles to protect Yoon Sae-Bom and other people.

Han Tae-Seok (Jo Woo-Jin) is a lieutenant colonel and belongs to the health service command. He holds a key on the infectious disease outbreak.

Details:

Release date: November 5, 2021 (South Korea)
Country of origin: South Korea
Also known as: Chung Cư Có Độc
Production companies: Studio DragonStudio Dragon

When we watch a TV show these days, we feel as if we’re watching from another world, a world with face masks on, a society where social distance is vital, but it’s not depicted in other drama series. I enjoy a good Korean spine chiller, so I was excited to see this, especially given the positive feedback and ratings. In any event, “Happiness” is a heartbreaking show that feels up close and personal in any situation. The program doesn’t focus much on the revolting element, with the zombie-like condition, which might have been easily exploited with a slew of horrific scenes and gruesome plots. This show dramatizes terrible events that occur during lockdown. It actually revisits the zombie class and enhances it several times. The plot is post-COVID, and the people wear masks or act gingerly out of seclusion. The plot’s central theme, frenetic individual infection, is contrasted with COVID, and individuals remain vigilant to avoid repeating that nightmare.

Expect nothing like the craziness and uproar of “All Of Us Are Dead” or “Train to Busan,” but there are a lot of sporadic activities across the 12 episodes, although very few. Almost every episode’s narrative is entirely driven by the characters’ legitimately ridiculous choices. Some of the scenes appear to have been written by an eager adolescent. It’s chaotic composition at its best. It’s riddled with story flaws and characters that do things that make no sense. The female lead, a member of the special forces, seems to decide on all of the wrong tactical decisions. A significant portion of the characters make really stupid decisions only so the plot can place them in perilous situations, which is a sign of sluggish scriptwriting.

There are so many obnoxious people, including a specialist who may have slain his better half, a lady who denigrates other people, and an occupant delegate who will significantly increase real estate charges. It is unfortunate that the personalities created in this cycle are at odds. However, it creates emotional strain, which causes us to look forward to the upcoming episodes. Some of the characters go beyond the disruption that others may easily overlook and hide a fairly unpleasant anticipation, bringing about a crucial turning point in the story. However, the drama ultimately blew the chance to achieve the dramatic impact of the final sequence. When everyone was wandering throughout the play to find a resolution, everything was resolved completely. Similar to how the plot needed something extra to make a bigger impact on everyone watching because it feels like the drama was lacking something important that was worth discussing.

So, if you’re looking for a fast-paced end-of-the-world zombie themed series, this isn’t for you. Although there was excellent zombie acting, the writing was woefully inadequate, with several plot inconsistencies and loopholes.