Categories: K-dramas

tvN Fri-Sat Night Drama Happiness Ends its Underrated Run But with Plenty of Cult Fan Love and Laments for How Poorly it was Promoted

This past weekend an underrated gem of a K-drama Happiness, according to the very vocal audience feedback, wrapped up its tight 12-episode run on tvN Fri-Sat late nights. The drama averaged mid 3% ratings through its entire run and the final episode was the only to break 4% with 4.185%. It’s considered a ratings disappointment based on the popular profile of leads Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo, but I felt it did alright considering this was a tough drama to market. It’s title is Happiness but the story is about a viral zombie like outbreak in Seoul that traps the leads in a high rise condo dealing with dangers of human psyche and bad behavior alongside the biting infected. It’s one of those either or situations as a viewer, and putting the two together just didn’t appeal to me outright. But the drama consistently got really positive viewer feedback and reviews it just didn’t translate to increased ratings. Now that it’s done it could be one of those dramas that has longevity and a new life on streaming. Congrats to the cast and crew for producing what is being praised as a cohesive drama that is tense, heartwarming, funny, scary, and above all else has a solid ending.

ockoala

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  • It wasn't so great. It was good. But the story wasn't really new with the humans being worse than the zombies... The good part was PHS and HHJ, they had a good chemistry and a fun relationship.

    But it's true that airing time wasn't the best. But TVN released a lot of BTS on youtube.

  • This is the best drama of 2021 I dont agree with the lack of appeal their chemistry is oozing the power couple delivered even the side characters acting are chef kiss they made me annoyed to the end if only this was shown in Netflix in will gain tons of viewers anyway congrats to han hyo joo and park hyung sik

  • The drama is good up till the last two episodes, I'm sad to say I'm disappointed with the events leading up to the ending. The last two episodes felt like the scriptwriter rushed to tie up the ends and did a very poor job of it, leaving some parts unexplained and hanging. I wonder if the ending would be better if the drama was given another 2 episodes...

  • I love the zombie horror type of shows and this one is a gem. I really like the characters. FL is a strong independent and sassy character. Her chemistry with PHS is absolutely terrific as platonic friends with a side crush. Every episode keeps you in suspense. It is so sad that it ended with 12 episodes but I suppose it is for the best to not make it draggy. I wish they consider making Season 2.

  • Han Hyo Joo has a sharp eye for picking good projects. But this drama's theme doesn't appeal to me right now, what with living in pandemic and all. But I'm definitely putting this one in my list

  • BEST COUPLEEEE!!!!

    I love this drama. It showed the 'real side' of human being. At least, zombie didn't kill each other, but human did. We also learned that, the netral team was the weakest. This show has many lessons about life.

    HHJ and PHS's performances were surprisingly amazing. This drama's genre wasnt my fave, but stuck with the main couple.

    Hope to see them in a ROMANTIC drama.

  • Amazing drama to be honest, was surprised this didn't get enough attention. I think this drama would have made more sense if it was produced by Netflix just as One Ordinary Day too but kudos to the team for putting out such an amazing body of work.

  • This drama definitely would’ve benefited from being streamable on Netflix, rather than tvN’s own streaming platform TVing. The last two episodes even leaked online from TVing the day of episode 11’s airing, but glad that it finally broke 4% in the end despite that.

    I think its ratings are pretty decent when accounting for how much competition it had at the horrible time slot it was given and how crappy promotion had been. The fact that it performed better than it’s predecessor, Yumi’s Cells, was surprising to me. But it’s definitely becoming a cult classic amongst domestic and international viewers.

    It’s not a perfect show but I enjoyed watching it and would recommend it to other people. I think 12 episodes was just right but the ending could’ve benefitted from an extra 15 mins just to tie up all the storylines/character arcs.

  • I thought the writing and directing was done well. Han Hyo Joo has come a long way from Spring Waltz or even Dong Yi days, she's solid here. Her chemistry with Park Hyung Shik was also good, like they've truly known each other a really long time. I like the overall message that happiness is a decision - no mater what circumstances come your way, it's about finding joy in the small things and valuing relationships that matter to you.

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