You remember the peak of the "zombie" craze, right? It felt like every other show featured mindless monsters sprinting through city streets. Then came Happiness. Released late in 2021, this drama didn't just give us another virus story; it gave us a masterclass in tension and human rot. But honestly, the real reason we’re still talking about the happiness korean drama cast years later isn't just because of the "Mad Person Disease." It’s because of how that specific group of actors made us absolutely loathe or love them within the confines of a single apartment complex.
It’s 2026, and looking back, the chemistry in that Seyang Forest Le Ciel apartment building remains unmatched. Most K-dramas bank on a single lead to carry the weight. Happiness didn't do that. It was a pressure cooker where the secondary characters were just as vital—and terrifying—as the leads.
The Duo We Didn't Know We Needed
The heartbeat of the show was undoubtedly Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik.
Han Hyo-joo played Yoon Sae-bom, a Special Operations Unit officer who basically just wanted a nice place to live. She was tough, sure, but she wasn't some invincible superhero. She was relatable. You've probably seen her in more recent projects like Moving, but there was something raw about Sae-bom. She wasn't afraid to be messy.
Then there’s Jung Yi-hyun, played by Park Hyung-sik. This was his big comeback after military service, and man, did he deliver. He played the smart, protective detective with this quiet intensity that balanced Sae-bom’s impulsive nature perfectly. They weren't your typical "lovey-dovey" K-drama couple. They were partners in the trenches. Their "contract marriage" trope felt grounded because they actually respected each other. No unnecessary drama—just survival and a slow-burn trust that felt earned.
The Man in the Grey Area: Han Tae-seok
We have to talk about Jo Woo-jin. As Lieutenant Colonel Han Tae-seok, he was the guy you wanted to punch and hug at the same time. He was the "antagonist" who wasn't really a villain. He was just a man trying to save his wife and the world, even if it meant making some pretty questionable ethical choices. Jo Woo-jin is a veteran actor for a reason. He brought a cold, calculated energy that kept the audience guessing until the very last episode.
💡 You might also like: Finding the TV Guide Chicago Tribune Listings Without Getting Lost in the Past
The Apartment Residents: A Study in Human Trash
The happiness korean drama cast succeeded because the supporting actors played their roles with such annoying perfection. It wasn't the zombies that were the scariest part of the show; it was the neighbors.
Take Baek Hyun-jin, who played the dermatologist Oh Joo-hyung. He was arguably the most hated man in Korea during the show's run. He was greedy, murderous, and had zero remorse. Then you had Bae Hae-sun as the apartment representative, Oh Yeon-ok. Her obsession with social status and the "purity" of the building’s upper floors was a stinging commentary on real-world classism.
- Park Hee-von (Na Hyun-kyung): The web novelist who represented the "average" person caught in the crossfire.
- Lee Joo-seung (Andrew): Without spoiling too much for the three people who haven't seen it, his character arc was the definition of a plot twist.
- Park Joo-hee (Ji-soo): The loyal lieutenant working under Han Tae-seok who provided the much-needed moral compass in the military facility.
The way these actors interacted—trapped behind those barricaded doors—created a psychological thriller that felt way too real. They showed us that when things go south, the person living next door might be more dangerous than the monster in the hallway.
Is There Ever Going to Be a Season 2?
Look, I get it. We all want more. But tvN was pretty clear back when the show wrapped up: Happiness was designed as a 12-episode limited series. There were never any official plans for a second season.
While rumors occasionally bubble up on social media, especially when the show hits a new streaming milestone, the story actually concluded in a way that felt complete. In 2026, the cast has moved on to massive new projects. Park Hyung-sik has solidified his spot as a top-tier lead, and Han Hyo-joo is doing bigger-budget international work. Reassembling this specific group would be a logistical nightmare and, frankly, might ruin the lightning-in-a-bottle magic they captured the first time.
📖 Related: Kristen Schaal Adventure Time: The Chaotic Energy We Needed
Why the Casting Worked So Well
K-dramas often fall into the trap of making everyone too "pretty" or too "good." Happiness leaned into the ugly. The cast looked exhausted. They looked sweaty. They looked like people who hadn't slept in a week because they were afraid of being bitten.
The casting directors chose actors who could handle nuance. They needed people who could switch from "worried neighbor" to "bloodthirsty opportunist" in a single scene. That’s why the show still ranks high on recommendation lists today. It’s a character study first and a horror show second.
What You Should Watch Next
If you’ve finished Happiness and you’re feeling that post-drama void, you’ve got options. You can dive into the individual filmographies of the leads, or look for shows with similar "trapped" vibes.
- Moving (2023): If you want more Han Hyo-joo being an absolute boss.
- Doctor Slump (2024): If you need to see Park Hyung-sik in a completely different, more lighthearted light.
- Sweet Home: If you specifically liked the "monsters in an apartment" aspect but want more gore.
- All of Us Are Dead: For the high-stakes virus survival, though it's much more action-heavy.
The happiness korean drama cast gave us a story that felt like a cautionary tale about how we treat our neighbors when the world stops spinning. It’s worth a rewatch just to see the subtle ways the residents of Building 101 slowly lose their minds.
To get the most out of your K-drama experience, start by following the actors on their official social media or checking out their latest 2026 project announcements. Many of the supporting cast members from Happiness are now leading their own series, proving just how much talent was packed into that one apartment building.