To some this is a brilliant masterpiece, to others just an average drama of survival.
I followed it from day one and it got me hooked to the point that my Fridays and Saturdays had this as an highlight.

They couldn't have picked a better lead couple than these two, - Han Hyo Joo and Park Hyung Sik - did a great job with their roles and had a fairly great chemistry. But Happiness is more than romance, in fact it focuses on the build up to that, on those hidden feelings one is not aware until the world turns upside down. It's all about survival and finding Happiness in all forms.

"If I lose him, I might really crumble." - Yoon Sae Bom

That and the fact that Happiness is different to everyone. To some that comes by the demise of others, to others it's all about control, to others is fame and likes, and some it's even greed or by getting their hands tainted with blood... And yet for those who are rightful, - Happiness - can be a materialistic thing as a Home or the comfort of loved ones and our parents. But a Home can be more than a House, sometimes it's only warm when shared with the right person, like the case of our main leads.

"Getting an apartment is important, but who you're with is more important." - Jung Yi Hyun

What I really like about Yoon Sae Bom and Jung Yi Hyun is on how equal feet they are when it comes to their action and decisions, how they always have each others back and go to the extreme to protect one another. It shows from the very start that they really like each other, but to acknowledge that sometimes it needs a push or in this case the world they once knew crumbling down. While facing the demons that people can bring to the table in apocalyptic scenarios, and coping to deal with it by trying to maintain order even when most people do not cooperate or are against them. They don't wait in dangerous situations, they take action and run if necessary. They access what is happening and try to come up with solutions or act on the moment to solve it.

Both of them are not flawed, - no one is - but it's nice to see that in a drama there can be balance between the leads, instead of the typical damsel in distress or the tripping and falling down cliché. They are both fierce with their beliefs for justice and find themselves trapped in lockdown with numeral individuals that will test not only them but also everyone along the way.

Yi Hyun trusts in Sae Bom, and she does too when it comes to him. He represents those who are sure of their feelings, while she on the other hand represents those who only realize when its too late... like a wake up call. Perhaps, she knew all along, she just dismissed thinking it would not be reciprocated because they started with a contractual marriage to get an apartment.

However, - like I mentioned above, - Happiness is more than mere tragic romance.
It's all about making tough and egoistic decisions for the sake of our loved ones and mankind.

"I did all sorts of things to lower the number of the infected. Lockdowns, quarantine, killing. I have enough blood on my hands." - Han Tae Seok

It's a matter of surviving lockdown and well facing the worst kind of Humanity in a single building.
Sometimes the true monsters aren't those who are infected, but those who show their real and despicable selves.

"You are the real monsters, not the infected." - Jung Yi Hyun

If we manage to look into the overall picture, the drug, the infected or "zombies" and the whole martial law is what is surrounding and aiding the true plot. This being the residents and how they evolve and act while on lockdown. How the main leads deal with the situation, how the residents try to survive, all the schemes, the deep dark secrets inside of several different apartments, the social classes, the different individuals, their hidden agendas and how doom can change people from better to worst. It was never about only the cure, that is important but it's side plot, it's more about showing the difference between those who are infected and act on impulse and need, and those who revel themselves to the be worse monsters in the end.

There's quite the symbolic value this drama uphold. For example the 'Good Cop, Bad Cop strategy' that Yi Hyun mentions about himself and Sae Bom, can also work for Han Tae Seok and Lieutenant Lee Ji Soo who works with him. And that strategy is used throughout the whole drama too in many occasions. Even when Yi Hyun decides he will be the bad cop, and Sae Bom the other.

"When one plays the bad cop and gets angry and scares people, the other uses nice words to persuade them."

It's seem like a foretelling line, for when the moment comes they act like so without realizing. It's he presence and soothing words, that bring him back to her. And also her impulsive act to save him and his decision in such a dangerous situation that defines their roles. They will do everything and beyond to keep each other safe even if it means to make sacrifices.

This drama has plenty of those. Choices and sacrifices that make the characters become either twisted, or revert from that and gaining the Humanity they didn't have or had lost. An example of that is most likely Kim Dong Hyun, the son of the elderly couple from Unit 302. Who always seek for likes and fame by streaming everything he could get his hands on. And yet as the story progresses he embodies the fear, shame and the selfish act of leaving his parents behind afraid to get infected.

"If you happen to see him. Tell him to come back home. Tell him, we're okay.
That's what a home is. You come home when things get tough." - Kim Hak Je, Senior Resident of Unit 302

Only to return home when what he feared the most happens.

"He'll be able to hold out longer... if he stays with his family." - Jung Yi Hyun

And despite his actions towards his parents, Dong Hyun is welcomed with open arms, as if a "good" son is returning home, now apologetic and more grounded than before. A message for us to cherish those we love, and that they may be our greatest strength in times of need.

There are several frustrating moments, mainly caused by despicable characters such as Oh Joo Hyung (dermatologist), Oh Yeon Ok (Resident Representative), Gook Hae Sung (Lawyer), Woo Sang Hee (Joo Hyun's mistress), and let's face it Go Se Gyu and Ji Moon Hee (the SY cleaning couple) too.

"I'll beat up anyone I find annoying." - Yoon Sae Bom

Probably the most direct Happiness we all felt through the drama was by how many times she did this to Oh Joo Hyung.

And there was also a couple of mysterious characters in the plot - Kim Se Hoon and Andrew - who likely contributed to many theories and a plot twist into the story. Sometimes, there are hints along the drama that lead to that, only we aren't able to notice them all or they just show them in the end when that truly happens.

The plot twist of the real culprit was interesting.
I had theories of my own, as I am sure mostly everyone did by some point when it came down to these two characters.

To be honest, the real one felt detached from the plot. Like a mere coincidence that just happened, and it was all in his favor.
It made more sense if it was near my theory that he was in fact the one behind the drug NEXT and that he was seeing the "lab rats" aka the infected act and mostly from the rooftop while on lockdown. And not what they come up to and no reasons for what he did and does. Perhaps it's just his own Happiness in doing so. Maybe that's why they did like so, who knows.

All I know is that the plot has it's holes that much is certain. But again the focus is mainly on the residents and survival rather than where did the drug come from and how the cure works. The acting here is what keeps us wanting for more. And I am not only talking about the main leads. Even the guest roles here where interesting to see. For example Sae Bom's colleague Lee Sueng Yeong interpreted by the brilliant Lee Kyu Hyung (funny how Looney turned out so good that he joined the SOU)

The Production. Now this is what makes this drama different than most. The way it was written, made and filmed. The cinematography so believable that they are in fact in a real complex unit building of rented and fancy bought apartments. The intros with the title Happiness, showing the opposite of that. It almost seem Netflix worth it, with certain foreign like influences here and there but at the same time true to a K-drama. Hard to explain the concept of it. It's interesting, and pleasing to see. What compliments with all of this, it has to be the OST. So many good artists and singers, and amazing songs to match the scenes of this drama. The lyrics also with plenty of meaning. One of my favorites it has to be 'Pain' by Hong Isaac.

This drama came to life because of all of this combined, everyone's effort.
Park Hyung Sik long awaited acting comeback is a success, and him pairing up with Hyo Joo gave us a new kickass ship besides the MinMin and BongBong ship we have had ever since he starred with Bo Young in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon.
More than the ship, I like how he represented Yi Hyun. Makes me look forward to more of his projects with good premisses.

"I realized when you said... that a home... depends on whom you're with. I'll stay with you from now on. Stay with me. Whatever you're like, I'm okay with everything." - Yoon Sae Bom

These two be raising the standards of main leads.

Highly recommend this if you like survival storylines, with a warning that it has it's breaks of infected but that it focus more towards human and inhuman dissociation of the survivors, rather than those who were infected. It doesn't have cliché scenes, it has more schemes and plot twists.

Plus factor it only has 12 episodes, although if you like you will find yourself wanting a couple more. And well by the ending... it fairly need that option. Endings are mostly rushed, and this one wasn't any different in that regard unfortunately.

Still it's a good drama if you give it a go. With an amazing production, awesome acting and a killer OST.