Nerf & Buff

Review: Sweet Home – A Gripping Horror-Fantasy Series

Sweet Home cast poster

Sweet Home  is a horror-fantasy series that follows the survival of a group of people trapped in an apartment complex, where a mysterious virus turns humans into grotesque monsters. The series is based on a popular webtoon of the same name and is produced by Studio Dragon and Netflix. The series features a talented cast of actors, including Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, and Lee Si-young, who have previously starred in other successful dramas and movies. The drama is a thrilling and captivating adaptation of the original webtoon, with impressive visual effects, a gripping plot, and a diverse ensemble of characters.

Summary

The series revolves around Cha Hyun-soo, a troubled and withdrawn teenager who moves into a rundown apartment complex after losing his family in a car accident. He soon discovers that the complex is infested with monsters, who are former residents who have been infected by a virus that transforms them into creatures based on their desires or fears. Hyun-soo joins forces with other survivors, such as Pyeon Sang-wook, a mysterious and ruthless gangster who has a soft spot for Hyun-soo, and Seo Yi-kyung, a former firefighter who is a strong and loyal leader. Together, they fight to stay alive and find a way out of the nightmare.

 

Background

The series is based on the webtoon Sweet Home by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young-chan, which was serialized on Naver Webtoon from 2017 to 2020. The webtoon has over 1.2 billion views and is one of the most popular webtoons in Korea. The series is the second collaboration between Studio Dragon and Netflix, after the hit zombie series Kingdom. The TV series is written by Hong So-ri, Kim Hyung-min, and Park So-jung, and directed by Lee Eung-bok, who is known for his work on Descendants of the Sun, Goblin, and Mr. Sunshine. It  features a star-studded cast of actors, such as Song Kang, who rose to fame with Love Alarm, Lee Jin-wook, who starred in Voice and Return, and Lee Si-young, who won acclaim for her roles in No Mercy and How to Use Guys with Secret Tips.

The series is a faithful adaptation of the webtoon, with some changes and additions to the story and the characters. The series, which also boasts stunning visual effects, that bring the monsters to life with realistic and horrifying details, is one of the most expensive Korean productions, with a budget of over 30 billion won (about 27 million USD). It is also one of the most watched Korean series on Netflix, ranking in the top 10 in over 70 countries.

Script

The script of the series is well-written, with a balance of horror, action, and emotion. The dialogue reveals the personalities, backgrounds, and relationships of the characters, as well as their struggles and dilemmas in the face of the apocalypse. The action scenes are intense and exciting, showcasing the variety and creativity of the monsters and the fights. The structure of the series is also effective, with each episode ending on a cliffhanger that keeps the viewers hooked. The script also explores the themes and messages of the series, such as the meaning of humanity, the value of life, and the power of hope.

The script uses humor, suspense, drama, and other elements to engage the audience and convey the themes and messages of the series. For example, the series uses humor to lighten the mood and contrast the horror, such as in the scenes where Hyun-soo and Sang-wook bicker or where the survivors play games to pass the time. The series also uses suspense to create tension and anticipation, such as the scenes where the monsters attack or where the survivors face danger from other humans. The show also uses drama to elicit emotion and empathy, such as the scenes where the characters face loss, betrayal, or sacrifice. The drama also uses other elements, such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, symbolism, and irony, to enrich the story and the characters.

Acting

The acting of the sereies- Sweet Home,is superb, with each actor delivering a convincing and compelling performance. Song Kang plays Cha Hyun-soo, the main protagonist, who is a troubled and withdrawn teenager who becomes a hero. Song Kang portrays Hyun-soo’s character development, from his depression and isolation to his courage and compassion, with skill and sincerity. Lee Jin-wook plays Pyeon Sang-wook, a mysterious and ruthless gangster who has a soft spot for Hyun-soo. The main lead brings Sang-wook’s character to life, with his charisma and complexity. Lee Si-young plays Seo Yi-kyung, a former firefighter who is a strong and loyal leader and impresses with her physical and emotional performance, as she shows Yi-kyung’s toughness and vulnerability.

The actors also have great chemistry and interaction with each other, creating a believable and dynamic group of survivors. The lead also conveys their emotions and motivations effectively, making the viewers care for their characters and their fates. The actors also handle the action scenes well, showing their physical abilities and skills. He also does justice to their roles, whether they are the heroes, the villains, or the monsters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sweet Home is a must-watch series for fans of horror and fantasy, as well as for anyone who enjoys a good story with memorable characters. The series is a faithful and impressive adaptation of the webtoon, with a well-written script, a talented cast, and stunning visual effects. The drama is also a thrilling and captivating series, with a gripping plot, a diverse ensemble of characters, and a balance of horror, action, and emotion.  Explores the themes and messages of the series, such as the meaning of humanity, the value of life, and the power of hope. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a binge-worthy and satisfying series to watch.

 

Season 1 was released on December 18, 2020, and season 2 was released on December 1, 2023. In the summer of 2024, a third season is scheduled to be released.

 

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