Introduction
I did not watch the Korean Happiness, on which this drama is based. Therefore, my review below solely analyzed what I saw in the 12 episodes of the Thai version. Whether the story aspects (theme, plot, characters, ending, etc.) were the same as the source or not, I would not know.
As for the reason why I titled my article “The Next Zombies”… well, it’s easy… the name of the drug that caused the people to turn into a zombie-like affliction is called Next.
Drama Info
Drama title: Happiness (Native title: Happiness )
Genres: Action, Horror, Thriller, Drama
Aired: May 30, 2025 - Jul 5, 2025
Episodes: 12 | Duration: 56 min.
Director: Rattapong Pinyosopon ( รัฐพงศ์ ภิญโญโสภณ )
Screenwriter: Rattapong Pinyosopon ( รัฐพงศ์ ภิญโญโสภณ )
This drama was based on the 2021 Korean series Happiness ( 해피니스 )
Where to watch: Viki
Trailer:
Synopsis
The Breathe Condominium might seem like a great place to live, but it soon becomes the site of a horrible tragedy: after a person living in the complex contracted a strange disease that caused a violent, zombie-like affliction, authorities locked it down to prevent the spread – with its inhabitants still inside. To try and stop the epidemic, police officers Run and Prat move in, but they soon find that their mission is more difficult than it seems.
As the infection continues to spread, the condo residents grow aggressive toward each other, prioritizing their own survival above all else. Can Run and Prat find a way to de-escalate the situation before it’s too late? (Source: Viki)
Character
Relationship Chart
Main Characters
Saint Suppapong Udomkaewkanjana ( เซ้นต์ ศุภพงษ์ อุดมแก้วกาญจนา ) as Prat
Prat is a highly skilled young detective. He has been Run’s close friend since high school, and throughout their friendship, he has secretly loved her.
Due to the Next drug case, Prat has to impersonate a married couple with Run to investigate various matters at the Breathe condo.
Orn Patchanan Jiajirachote ( อร พัศชนันท์ เจียจิรโชติ ) as Run
Run is a special operations police officer who was extremely action-oriented and ready to fight before negotiating. Run accepted the invitation to join the special team led by Yutthasak to investigate the illegal drug called Next.
She moved to the luxurious Breathe condo because she wanted her father, a retired police officer, to have a better quality of life. However, the people in Breathe condo were quarantined because they were at risk of contracting the zombie virus. Run’s mission was therefore full of danger.
Supporting Characters
Special Control Unit
Yutthasak (Dom Haetrakul) – Director of Special Control Unit
Arissara (Kessarin Ektawatkul) – Special Control Unit officer
Residents of Breathe Condominium
Beam (Petch Paopetch Charoensook) – Doctor
Jue (Plustor Patnithi Saranwatnakul) – Scriptwriter
Fah (Nampetch Aissaree Tharakoolphipat) – Online seller
Jee (PJ Mahidol Pibulsonggram) – Content creator
Grandpa Charn (Papon Chirahitaphatra) – Retiree
Grandma Jintana (Toi Narumon) – Retiree
Tao (Durian Supoj Pongpancharoen) – Medium
Noi (Pure Duangjai Hiransri) – Condo juristic person
Thatthep (Nong Thana Chatborirak) – Lawyer
Next (Ming Yumiko) – Thatthep’s wife
Rangrong (Namsai Pichayapa Natha) – Thatthep’s secretary
Sophida (Pleng Patapohn) – Beauty salon owner
Yoshi (Tong Samitpong Sakulpongchai) – Sophida’s boyfriend
Yayi (Minna Wanichaya Pornpanarittichai) – Lived with Run and Prat
Review
Story and Plot
The main focus of the drama for the two protagonists, Run and Prat, who attempted to look for the culprit of the distribution of the Next drug that turned people into zombies, to contain the virus, and to find a cure. The viral threat sourced from a failed treatment drug, causing bouts of insanity and bloodlust before a complete zombie-like regression.
I like that the story of this drama was not just focused on the two protagonists, Run and Prat, but also the psychological drama of the Breathe Condominium residents, highlighting how they struggle with fear, distrust, and their own humanity in a confined, desperate situation.
How about the romance in this drama? Because the storyline of Happiness focused on thriller and action genres of the chaos of a viral zombie outbreak. That was why I didn’t put the romance genre in the drama info above. The romance is slow-burning and barely there, built on a long-standing high school friendship, evolved into a marriage of convenience for the mission, and later, a genuine love story.
Characterization and Acting
For the protagonists, Saint and Orn had collaborated previously in the horror romcom Let’s Fight Ghost ( คู่ไฟท์ไฝว้ผี ). They had natural chemistry in this drama, acting out two long-time friends who established a strong, believable friendship with shared history, mutual support, and deep emotional connection. After their entrance to the condominium, the confined and life-threatening environment forces Prat and Run to rely on each other for survival, allowing their long-simmering emotions to surface. Their romance develops gradually as they face extreme stress and danger together.
As for the supporting characters, the audiences get to exploration of human nature through their role and acting, as the drama shows whether the infected people are still human. The supporting characters succumb to their worst selves in desperate situations. The supporting actors’ performances were critical in portraying the diverse and conflicting motivations of the condominium residents.
The Visuals
Thai dramas love their gore and horror visuals. In Happines, as expected of Thai horror, there was exaggerated zombie gore. The infected individuals and the deaths caused by the zombies were bloody and scary. The CGI depicted the virus’s symptoms and the outbreak’s spread. Overall, the visualization reflects the drama’s thriller and apocalyptic themes.
The visualization also captures the nuances of the characters’ interpersonal relationships. The cinematography creates a claustrophobic and tense environment when the condominium complex is put under lockdown. Also, visualization emphasizes the contrast between the residents’ seemingly normal lives and the chaos of the viral outbreak.
Original Soundtrack and Background Music
There was no theme song, per se, for this drama. Instead, the instrumental music focused on terrifying and immersive sound design to manipulate the audience’s psychological state.
There is one romantic song played during Prat and Run’s moments (for example, when they were eating out together). The song is กำแพงหัวใจ (Heartwall) by Mirrr. Below is the artist’s official MV (not the drama’s) in Thai and English subs:
Conclusion
In my opinion, if you’re looking for an apocalyptic thriller drama, you should give the Thai version Happiness a try. It’s a psychological thriller. The narrative goes beyond a simple zombie outbreak to reveal darker secrets and the real monsters that can lurk within society itself. The confined setting of a condominium lockdown and apocalyptic premise explore deeper psychological and social themes.
