K-Drama Flashback: ‘Happiness’

Happiness ignites chaos when a drug unleashes a deadly virus, plunging its victims into madness and bloodlust akin to that of zombies. At this juncture, the South Korean authorities begin a thorough investigation and strict quarantine process to contain the outbreak. In response, civil rights organizations assert that the infected might still be capable of normal social interactions and as such shouldn’t be restricted from doing so.

The plot is led by Police Officer Yoon Sae-bom (Han Hyo-joo) and her old friend, Detective Jung Yi-hyun (Park Hyung-sik), helping each other traverse the nuances of this rather dystopian setting. Sae-bom and Yi-hyun marry under contract and move into the city’s brand-new high-rise apartment complex. It thrills her with excitement and a feeling that it’ll be a home of “happiness.” But the vision collapses in no time when the mystery illness swiftly spreads across the building, forcing authorities to impose a rigid quarantine.

Released in 2021, director Ahn Gil-ho’s Happiness is a standout K-zombie drama, blending suspense, spook, romance, and more. I like how real the scenario looks in its portrayal of a pandemic, especially in terms of the authorities’ coping mechanisms and the problems that emerge from them. The onscreen rapport between Park Hyung-sik and Han Hyo-joo is a particular highlight; their unspoken mutual attraction adds to its attractiveness, with Park, a major draw [always] that he is, perfectly embodying Yi-hyun’s character, while Han winning as the kickass tough cookie action heroine.

The story hits a nerve as a reflection of what we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic—exploring social distancing measures, their complexities, and an insightful examination of the tensions and tradeoffs of individual freedoms, the welfare of society, and the moral quandaries emerging in a severe public health emergency. Happiness darkens with each episode as the cursed building becomes a house of horror, intensifying the shadow of an apocalypse and showing who we are or may become in dire times.

Beyond attitudes of conceit, materialism, and the overriding importance of individual survival instincts, the drama also depicts tenacity, courage, and the lengths to which one will go for the sake of duty and loved ones. It questions what differentiates humanity and monstrosity, as well as what “happiness” really means—self-satisfaction or happiness that comes from togetherness.

Happiness effectively highlights why K-zombies matter—their capacity to depict the cruel, evil aspects of contemporary life. Through stunning performances, it captures how these narratives can be a glimpse into things—from the depths of our darkest inclinations to the highest points of our resolve to win over the toughest challenges. There’s never a dull moment in the story, and each cliffhanger makes you anxious to see what comes next, with Sae-bom and Yi-hyun’s chemistry hardly slowing down, thanks to the much-needed kiss at the end, setting the tone for the next phase in their lives—the real happiness they’ve been looking for.