As so many, I too was obsessed with the new Netflix K-drama ‘Sweet Home’. The show was based on the Naver Webtoon written by Kim Kan-Bi and illustrated by Hwang Young-Chan. The writers of the first season are Heung So-Ri, Kim Hyung-Min and Park So-Ri.
‘Sweet Home’ is the first Korean drama to get a place in the Top 10 Netflix America. That’s no small feat. It only has ten episodes, so it’s easy to binge.
Plot
The K-drama ‘Sweet Home’ revolves around teenager Cha Hyun-Su portrayed by Song Kang, who was also in ‘Love Alarm’. He’s a loner, a recluse, surviving off of ramen. His family died tragically in a car crash and he moves into an old apartment building.
One day, the world isn’t so normal anymore. Due to a mysterious occurrence people start changing into monsters that represent some of their darkest wishes. Cha Hyun-Su must find his inner courage to help save some kids and find a way to survive. People sometimes tend to be stronger than they seem and a dozen people manage to make their way downstairs to survive together. There’s strength in numbers.
All of the residents have their own stories and pains. They’re from completely different backgrounds so they don’t automatically become besties.
A-List Actors
There are so many amazing actors and actresses in this drama. There’s Lee Jin-Wook who we recently wrote about here. He plays the tortured loner who has a rather tragic backstory.
Lee Si-Young portrays a firefighter who was about to get married to her doctor boyfriend. Lee has this one scene where she’s crawling through air vents and my God she looks ripped. It was amazing to watch. Also kind of hilarious because she has a TikTok where she’s so freaking funny.
Lee Do-Hyun portrays one of those characters that I wish I got more of. His role as Lee Eun-Hyeok still feels too vague for my liking. Who is he? What’s his background?
There’s one duo that I was particularly invested in. Kim Nam-Hee as the Christian, recovering alcoholic with thirty years of sword fighting training and Park Gyu-Young (from ‘It’s okay to not be okay’) as the girl with a bass guitar with a lot of sadness but also a steel bat that she’s not afraid to use. These two become unlikely friends and team up for most of the series. Their chemistry was undeniable.
We have so many amazing actors like Kim Sang-Ho, Kim Kap-Soo, Lee Bong-Ryun, Kim Hyun and of course the two kids Heo Yool and Choi Go. There’s so many that I haven’t even listed yet.
Underlying themes
Of course, the whole zombie plot isn’t new. Neither is the story of a handful of survivors teaming up to combat the monsters.
The CGI monsters though were really well done. I think it was very interesting to watch and the stunts didn’t fill me with dread so that was good! Do I think it’s a perfect story, no. The open ending, the military that is one of the bad guys is all a bit cliche in my opinion.
However, the women. I LOVE the portrayal of them and the utter diversity in age and backgrounds and characters. They’re not perfect, nor do they have to be. ‘Sweet Home’ passes the Bechdel Test in like the first episode alone which is more than I can write about some other series.
Am I going to watch the second season that is rumoured to come out in 2022, hell yeah. I was still very much entertained and intrigued.
Go ahead and check out this dope intro by rapper BeWhy.
You can watch the trailer for the K-drama ‘Sweet Home’ here.
