Happiness

   Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! It's been so long since I did a review on k-drama and movies. I hope this can be a regular posting again, although it might be reeeally hard.

Title: Happiness

Episodes: 12

Genre: Action, Thriller

Director: Ahn Gil Ho

Writer: Han Sang Woon

Network: tvN, TVING

Casts: Park Hyung Sik, Han Hyo Joo, Jo Woo Jin

Plot (credited to AsianWiki): 

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 is a member of a special 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 crises. Jung Yi-Hyun 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  is a lieutenant colonel and belongs to the health service command. He holds a key on the infectious disease outbreak.

This drama is so goood! I was a bit skeptical to start watching this drama because there are so many zombies drama and movies after Train to Busan. BUT! It was so good and I fall in love with the story.

After meeting on their high school rooftop, Sae Bom and Yi Hyun became close friends. Years passed, both of them now served as police officers at different departments. After training session with newly recruited, Sae Bom encounter a strange situation where one of the trainee attacked his teammate by biting off his neck and appearing agitated and could not be dealt with by talking. He could even withstand the pain of being shot at. The situation deescalated quick and soon she found herself dealing with Lt. Colonel Han. As she was scratched during the scuffle, she was taken into quarantine.

After her quarantine and confirmation that she is free from the disease, as per the deal with Lt. Colonel Han and Yi Hyun's agreement to marry her, Sae Bom (and Yi Hyun) successfully became the owner of one of the units at a high-rise apartment. As the situation with the mad human disease became a national concern, several places were put on quarantine and lockdown, including the high-rise apartment.

The story highlights different types of people when put in a stressful situation. One's stupidity, selflessness, cruelty and everything will shine. The plot was really great and the acting of every character was well done. I could say that I spent and equal time loving the main characters; Sae Bom and Yi Hyun and hating the villain *cough* Dr. Kim. *cough*. Damn man, he really deserved all the cursed I uttered.

Even though the main focus of this story is the thrilling situation of the apartment while in lockdown with zombies inside, I couldn't deny the chemistry and romance between Sae Bom and Yi Hyun. I loved how their romantic relationship grew and man, Park Hyung Sik really fit this role. I read somewhere somebody said he needs to have role with more actions instead of silly, cheery high school boy and I wholeheartedly agree! The one scene where he saved Sae Bom from being taken by Lt. Colonel Han will forever live rent-free in my mind. Well executed. So beautiful.

The thriller aspects were also done well with the eerie background music and all. I found myself on edge in every episode to the end! Problems after problems occurred for the main leads. It was as if I'm there with them.

One thing that I think that could done better is the ending. It feels a bit rushed and they could detailed it a little more. Especially when they did not show what happened to the survivors after the situation was controlled and a solution was found. A bit shame there. Overall, it was satisfactory and definitely became one of my favorite.

-thes