Sweet Home 스위트홈 S1 [2020], S2 [2023], S3 [Q2, 2024]

[mademoiselle]

Another Cut Clip from The Swoon - SPOILER!!!

Don't watch this if you want suspense.

 

 

Edited January 2, 2021 by mademoiselle

[40somethingahjumma]

I'm not sure if it's deliberate, but the drama overall seems to be a repudiation of natural selection, survival of the fittest. That's telling in terms of who ends up at the back of the truck but of course the show leaves open the possibility of a another season so much more can be said in that regard, I'm sure. 

 

Horror isn't everyone's cup of tea. Frankly I don't usually watch horror but this has elements of fantasy/sci-fi and a dystopian universe so there are things I can latch on to and run with. I recommend that everyone watch it... even if you can only stomach it during daylight hours because I think this is one of the year's best dramas for all kinds of reasons. It's also a genuine rollercoaster ride from start to finish. It reminds me more of disaster movies that I've watched like The Towering Inferno, The Day After, War of the Worlds, (showing my age here) having the same kinds of preoccupations about how human beings react and behave during a  major crisis. That... at least for me... is the most interesting part of the show. For me, the most disturbing thing isn't the havoc wreaked by monsters.

 

To be honest, the characterization and character development are much better here than in most rom coms or romantic melodramas that I've seen in recent times. And all of it is done in 10 episodes with a reasonably sized ensemble cast. I found some of the characters dubious and unlikeable at the start of the drama but I ended up actually appreciating and liking most of them.

 

More than a horror, blood and gore fest, it is at its heart a profoundly human story.

[mademoiselle]

Imagine Dragons - Warrior

This song appears a lot throughout the drama, and here I thought it was an original Korean song composed for this drama but it's actually not. Fell in love with the song thanks to Sweet Home.

 

Sweet Home FMV x Warrior Version (contains spoilers)

Spoiler

 

 

And finally found a cut clip of the Opening Theme of Sweet Home - loved the art and the BGM

 

Edited December 25, 2020 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

On 12/25/2020 at 11:43 PM, abs-oluteM said:

I also hope this drama don’t fail me . But agree ... @Jane put Run On on your list !!

Taking you here because it'll be off-topic over there for what I'm about to say next.

Hahaha I actually change my mind and ask @Jane to check out Sweet Home

When will you start? All Haventies who watched it loved it so I am curious whether you'll love it too. I think I'm at obsession level. I've finished binging this the second time and I'm now playing random episodes & watch bits and pieces.

Edited June 25, 2023 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

Korean drama 'Sweet Home' scores a home run with its creative monsters and metaphors

By MUMTAJ BEGUM

 

New drama Sweet Home, which is based on a popular webtoon, is unlike most TV shows from South Korea.

 

Far from looking pristine, featuring lush backgrounds and beautiful people, Sweet Home is filled with outcasts living in a not-so-conducive and, somewhat dirty, environment. Worse, there are really ugly and horrifying monsters at every corner out to kill everyone else. But it is the very exploration of a post-apocalyptic world with a story and characters not often seen in K-drama, complete with monsters, that attracted the cast and director to the project.

 

They said this during a virtual press meet just before Sweet Home premiered on Netflix on Dec 18.

 

The 10-episode series stars Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young, Lee Do-hyun as well as Kim Nam-hee, and it is directed by Lee Eung-bok (Goblin and Mr Sunshine).

 

Sweet Home kicks off with a lifeless 18-year-old Hyun-soo (Song) moving into an old apartment building called Green Home.

Not too keen on living any longer, the teenager schedules the day he will commit suicide. Ironically, right before he offs himself, the teenager finds the world has gone crazy no thanks to a global phenomenon that turns people into monsters based on their long-hidden desires. Now, he – along with other occupants at Green Home – must do anything and everything to survive.

 

Director Lee told StarLifestyle that he was interested to helm Sweet Home because he believes that every single human being has their own flaws and imperfections.

 

“They may not show it superficially, but everyone has a problem and there’s something wrong with everyone.

 

“So, in that sense, I think the same theme permeates Sweet Home as well, and things could get a little messy because of it.

“Also, as with the webtoon, the fact that a boy who is on the verge of committing suicide is the hero of the story is very intriguing.

 

“That made me want to focus on featuring characters that are not showcased so much in dramas – people who are isolated and marginalised.”

 

Actor Song, who happened to be a fan of the webtoon, was thrilled when director Lee contacted him for the role of Hyun-soo. To play the part of a depressed teenager, the 26-year-old concentrated on his character’s emotions before anything else. To achieve this, he would arrive on the set 20 minutes prior to the shoot so he could get into Hyun-soo’s headspace.

“In the series I not only play Hyun-soo, but also the hallucinating version of Hyun-soo.

 

“So, I put a lot of thought into tackling this role. But, I finally came to the conclusion that when expressing Hyun-soo, I should be true to the most introverted side of me and the darkness that I have within me.

 

“So, I tried to hold on to those things as much as I could during filming, ” said the actor of Love Alarm fame.

 

Fortunately for Song, Sweet Home also offered him a chance to get into action mode. He gleefully shared with the press that he enjoyed doing all the action sequences involving Hyun-soo killing the monsters, which the character does... a lot.

 

“I had a great time on set because you don’t really get the opportunity in real life to kill monsters. I enjoyed every moment of it.”

 

Likewise, fellow actors Lee Jin-wook and Lee Si-young went the extra mile to play their parts in Sweet Home. Jin-wook (Voice 2), who is famous for his good looks, transformed into a thug-like fella, while Si-young (Lookout) trained for six months to gain muscles that can be seen on the show.

 

“I put a lot of effort to show a completely different side of me, both internally and appearance-wise, to play Pyun Sang-wook in Sweet Home. I think I have succeeded, ” said the 39-year-old Jin-wook, who was all smiles during the session, unlike his character in the show.

 

Meanwhile, Si-young said she was nervous and excited about playing a former Special Forces agent and a firefighter in the series. The 38-year-old actress – who competes in amateur boxing matches in real-life – said: “Some parts of my body are exposed in the series. (In one scene) I’m only wearing my underwear.

 

“So, I thought that I should be fit, because I couldn’t hide my body with clothes. I worked out as hard as I could... I did weight training and martial arts training.

 

“Compared to my previous work, Sweet Home was very challenging physically, ” she said.

 

As Jin-wook shared, Si-young would be so in character while filming that he was afraid to approach her on set.

 

“She was quite scary on set. When we arrived, we would say hello. Then after shooting, we would say bye. That’s pretty much all the conversation we had, ” he said.

 

Laughing, Si-young explained to her co-star: “I was always hungry, that’s the reason for that. I was on a strict diet plan to maintain the physique.”

 

Of course, besides the human characters, there are many monsters populating the show. To bring the monsters to life, director Lee got two international companies to do the visual effects, post-production, and another special effects company to be present during filming to aid in the overall look of the series. Lee also got Korean choreographer and dancer Kim Seol-jin to work with actors portraying the monsters to figure out the movements of various creatures. For a spider-like monster, he cast American contortionist Troy James, who has used his bendy body in the film Hellboy, as well as American TV shows, The Strain and The Flash.

 

Lee also paid a lot of attention to the apartment building, Green Home. After looking at a lot of buildings, the crew came up with a workable set (spanning 11,500 sq m) that is kind of based on a building erected back in the 1930s.

 

“We tried to look for cues that can tell us about the human desires.

 

“So, there are some features that we’ve hidden in the building as well that hopefully viewers will have fun finding, ” said director Lee, who worked on the script for almost eight months, surpassing even the webtoon episodes at one point.

 

According to him, what fascinated him when he was writing the script was the question, “What are monsters?”

 

He elaborated: “There is a line where a character says, some monsters don’t harm humans. I don’t think desires are all bad, and so something that looks like a monster is not always bad.

 

“So, I tried to really incorporate that kind of thoughts into the story.”

 

source

Edited December 25, 2020 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

Original Soundtrack 🎧🎶

Loved the orchestral opening theme! Off to listen to the rest~

Edited December 26, 2020 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

Which Sweet Home Character Would You Be in a Monster Apocalypse?

 

[mademoiselle]

Eng Sub Version - Song Kang and Lee Jin Wook

 

Original source/version

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2021 by mademoiselle
Included Eng Sub version

[abs-oluteM]

So far so good @mademoiselle, I liked the 1st episode enough to want to continue. Quite an interesting ensemble of characters. And I am so glad the Lee Do Hyun has good screen time & oh I felt some chemistry there with Lee Si Young's character! ...ok ok...I am not expecting romance but they could do another drama together next time. The monsters are alright , not super scary or anything though that scene of them trying to close the shutters got me yelling for them to pali pali close it down.

Let me see what eps 2 brings

[Chocolate]

Thanks for the recommendation @mademoiselle. This was good. Binged it all in one day. After the first few episodes where the monsters were introduced, the story seemed to focus more on the people. Thus it is not scary-scary for those who are worried about horror.

 

I don't really understand the ending though. Like nothing is resolved.

 

Spoiler

1. The rest went into the tunnel that was found at the graveyard. But in the end, they still exited where the military found them. So it was all for nought.

 

2. Seo Yi-Kyung didn't press the gadget to alert the military. I thought she would be punished as a result. Or was the punishment that the deal was off and thus she did not get information on her boyfriend? But the ending showed her getting into a military vehicle and driving off by herself?

 

3. Hyun Su surrendered to the military at the apartment block but was later rescued by Pyeon Sang-Wook?

 

4. Im Myung-Sook became a fetus monster but never hatched?

 

So open ending?

 

 

[abs-oluteM]

I watched till eps 4. I can see that they are showing a lot more of the backstories of the characters in the 3rd & 4th episodes. Everyone has a sad story , things they regret , people they miss.

 

Nevertheless it was interesting to note that some people don't necessarily have to be bitten to start turning - I am still trying to wrap my head around the idea of how this monstrous catastrophe stems from man's desire. Are they saying these people become monsters because of the hate, greed, jealousy etc inside them?  Interesting that they all end up becoming different things and that Song Kang's character seems to have a better control over the monster within him and he has yet to turn. 

 

Oh can I say sometimes it annoyed me that the characters just stood there instead of running when they see the monsters. 

 

 

 

[Chocolate]

@abs-oluteM Yes, apparently it is a curse that causes people to change to monsters and not a disease. @mademoiselle Can you elaborate more on this? I am confused too.

 

Personally, I wish the drama was scarier. They focused so much on the people that the monsters were no longer scary.

Spoiler

Plus, at the end, it was a bit like Jurassic Park where T-Rex ate the Velociraptors ie. the bigger monster ate the smaller monster haha. So nothing left for the humans to do.

 

I get irritated by those who don't help themselves too. They deserve to be eaten/killed. And this drama shows women are stronger/united - some of the men are really useless. Although they do come around at the end.

 

[abs-oluteM]

@Chocolate with regards to the end , my hubs who binged this as well wasn't particularly satisfied. He thinks that a lot of things are left unanswered and perhaps it is to leave room for S2

[mademoiselle]

I had wished Sweet Home's finale would end satisfyingly and close the chapter since I'm not fond of seasonal dramas. However, the ending is definitely setting up for a Season 2 as @Chocolate said, some things were unresolved or unanswered. Mine is mostly for what is in that briefcase! There's a high chance we'll get an S2 since Sweet Home is doing well on Netflix.

 

As for wanting it scarier, I don't disagree but then less Havenites would watch because it'll be too scary. LOL!

 

When I started watching, I didn't know what the webtoon Sweet Home was about so I was under the perception that it would only be an adrenaline rush drama whereby the humans run/kill the monsters, all actions and no storyline like those typical Hollywood movies or thrillers such as Train to Busan, #Alive, The Call. Thus I was pleasantly surprised at how much story focuses on the humans & their backstories - not as much as the webtoon readers would like because the webtoon focus even more on the characters' stories and were more detailed (which is expected - like a book is always better than the time-limited live action).

 

To answer your questions:

SPOILER - Please don't enter @abs-oluteM

Spoiler

2. Seo Yi-Kyung didn't press the gadget to alert the military. I thought she would be punished as a result. Or was the punishment that the deal was off and thus she did not get information on her boyfriend? But the ending showed her getting into a military vehicle and driving off by herself? She is still valuable to the military. She survives travelling out & back into Green Home on her own & was in Special Forces before. If I'm the military head I'd make good use of her (like Eun Hyuk did with her & Hyun Soo). Even though she didn't press the gadget, someone did, the outcome is the same. No loss for the military and on the plus side, she retrieved the briefcase which the military was after.

 

3. Hyun Su surrendered to the military at the apartment block but was later rescued by Pyeon Sang-Wook? Not Pyeon Sang Wook anymore - have you noticed this one has no scars? So who do you think can snatch a body like that?

 

4. Im Myung-Sook became a fetus monster but never hatched? Yeah. That's her desire - her baby. She is a monster that won't be hurting anyone & gives hope to those infected who didn't want to hurt anyone.

 

@abs-oluteM My interpretation is that this "curse" is not necessarily triggered by the kind like the 7 sins—the desires won't necessary be all sinister. It's rather whatever our inner most desire is. It can be anything depending on each individual. The first monster that appeared is a Hungry Monster, because she's always hungry. Like that grocery ahjussi, Eun Hyuk knocked him over before so we found out he wore a wig and later he turned into a monster with a lot of hair. Thus that's his desire, to have hair again.

 

That said, I'm still figuring out what desire Song Kang has that made him a monster. The fact that he was resisting so he didn't fully become one makes it harder to guess. If you guys have some thoughts about this, do share. Did he perhaps want freedom...?

 

---

 

I think what's happening in Sweet Home is only the starting phase of an evolution. Sadly going by this "rule", all humans have desires so we eventually will become a monster. And those who had turned don't necessarily mean they will be the final survivors either - natural selection is still taking its place. Those who immediately succumbed to their desires lack self-control and lost their will, unlike Hyun Soo and Body Snatcher. Therefore my understanding of this evolution is that the ones who are selected are those who can transform on their free will and still possesses the human form. Hyun Soo, in particular, based on the webtoon became the "New Human". I don't know how much this part would follow the webtoon because PD Lee Eung Bok made some big changes - like Lee Si Young (Seo Yi Kyung) and the guy in katana are characters who didn't exist in the webtoon because he wanted to add a strong female character in his dramas. Eun Hyuk and Eun Yoo were real and loving siblings. There should be a loveline between Ji Soo and Hyun Soo as well.

 

@Chocolate Re: Bigger monster eating smaller monster. Your point is the lack of actions from the humans since the monsters are killing themselves, right? I think the show is trying to depict the nature and its circle of life. If we see this from another perspective, even in the current human world, this would resemble the strong bullying the weak. In nature, the strong also preys on the weak.

 

9 hours ago, Chocolate said:

I get irritated by those who don't help themselves too. They deserve to be eaten/killed. And this drama shows women are stronger/united - some of the men are really useless. Although they do come around at the end.

Hahahaha I often wonder which type I would be. The one that frozed & be killed or the ones that take action and I can't know until I've experienced it. When I took The Swoon quiz, I chose so many green, LMAO. I think if this happens to us, I'll likely die too. As for the women being stronger, I don't mind a good balance but I find that it's done too intentionally to appease to the current trend. Don't you think so? So many shows these days are being re-written to include women empowerment, LGBT and multi-racial. I don't mind the modern shows including this as it's a true depiction of the changes in the current world but for the oldern periods, it can become misleading and I often see it as brain washing the younger audiences who doesn't really know the real world yet.

 

P.S. I'm so glad there's a discussion going on here

Edited December 28, 2020 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

What Happened in the Season Finale of 'Sweet Home'? (SPOILERS)
By Devan McGuinness

 

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for the first season of Sweet Home (I've put in spoiler tag).

 

The streaming platform Netflix is known for giving us good entertainment and fun things to watch. One of their most recent drops, a Korean horror series left people with a lot of questions after the final episode of the first season. If you need to have the Sweet Home ending explained, here's what to know.

 

Netflix's 'Sweet Home' ending, explained for those who are confused.

 

There has been more than one time that we've been taken by surprise with a Netflix show. The streaming platform gives us access to a whole slew of titles, and with it, a wide variety of different genres. This means we can try out something that we may not otherwise be drawn to.  

 

What ends up happening is a surprise hit, and that's what Netflix has with their TV series Sweet Home. The Korean series follows tenants of the Green Home apartment building, and nothing is what it seems. This show, which is a sort of twist to a zombie movie, has humans mysteriously transforming into monsters.

 

 

And they're creepy monsters, too. Their creation stems from the desires of the monster's human life. The thing that helps set this show above the rest is it doesn’t rely on "lazy" storytelling, in that the characters and plot haven't been oversaturated in stories on TV or movies before. Instead, it concentrates on both the monsters and the humans, and how they are impacted by their current circumstance.

 

It's a horror show though, so it can be quite graphic. It's action-packed and follows teen Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang), who moves into the Green Home apartment complex right around the time people start turning and transforming into monsters. The monsters and people start attacking each other, and with Cha Hyun-soo on his own, he has to use natural instinct to figure out what his next best move to stay alive is.

 

Spoiler

There was a whole lot of drama in the show, and it all came to a head in the finale that had fans of the show curious what happened. Because a whole lot happened. Ui Myeong (Sung-Cheol Kim), a special infectee, started killing the other survivors which forced Hyun-soo to choose between the survivors or one of his now own kind, who have become the closest thing to a real family.

 

A battle happens, and a transformation occurs, making him now a new creature, with wings. Ui Myeong, who appeared to have managed to kill several, including Sang Wook (Jin-wook Lee), is turned into a gooey substance after being burned to ashes by Hyun-soo, which is an important thing to note.

 

Although Seo Yi-kyeong (Lee Si-young) doesn’t contact the military with the beacon she was given (someone else did it), the military arrives and surrounds the building. Hyun-soo is shot and blacks out. Meanwhile, the gooey material that was Ui Myeong moves into a tank and starts the engine. When Hyun-soo wakes up, he's in the back of the vehicle, being driven by Ui Myeong, who appears in the form of Sang Wook.

All this leads us to wonder if there will be a 'Sweet Home' Season 2.

 

 

As of right now, it's not clear if Netflix will renew the show for another season. They've not said they will, but they also haven't announced if that won't be the plan. It seems that fans are really into the idea and do want another season — and it's been performing well on Netflix. So, we just need to be patient and keep our ears open for any news of a Season 2. It seems unlikely that with a cliffhanger ending and success on the platform that Netflix wouldn't want another season.

 

source: Distractify

 

---

This is the bit that set Sweet Home apart from other movies/dramas we've seen:

Quote

The thing that helps set this show above the rest is it doesn’t rely on "lazy" storytelling, in that the characters and plot haven't been oversaturated in stories on TV or movies before. Instead, it concentrates on both the monsters and the humans, and how they are impacted by their current circumstance.

 

@abs-oluteM How are you liking glasses Do Hyun? ^ ^

Any luck of adopting Song Kang? Hahahaha

Edited December 28, 2020 by mademoiselle

[Thong Thin]

Hey @mademoiselle  , you selling Sweet Home ?

 

Is sold to me and I just finished Ep 2 last weekend .

 

Initially, wasn't sure what I was watching in Ep 1... but then when I got to Ep 2..... at least I am picking up the story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mademoiselle]

@Thong Thin Yeah I'm selling! I wasn't sure if it'd be your cuppa. Glad to hear you are enjoying too. Woo-hoo!

[mademoiselle]

Sweet Home (Series Review) by Dramabeans

by dramallama

 

Just in time for the holidays, we’ve been gifted with a new Netflix original series that is bold and apocalyptic, true to our times. Based on a popular webtoon, Sweet Home follows a motley group of apartment residents fighting inner demons and literal monsters in their midst. Although the gory visuals may be an initial appeal (or repellent), the true draw of the show comes from the individual stories of our residents, who have complex stories of loss, grief, and redemption. The monsters may have been the most expensive part of the production, but the humans and the struggle to be human are at the center of this series.

 

Like Kingdom and Extracurricular, this series maximizes the liberties offered on the Netflix platform, including graphic visuals, explicit violence, and lots (and LOTS) of money. With PD Lee Eung-bok (Mr. Sunshine, The Lonely Shining Goblin) at the helm, expectations were high for a production value that would match the budget. I think the series almost met those expectations, and we’ll see if this perspective is shared by Netflix and the viewers as we await news about a second season. Considering the webtoon’s content, Netflix seemed like the only platform to do this visual storytelling justice, but full disclosure: I didn’t finish the webtoon. As someone who didn’t read the full webtoon, I’m approaching this series with less expectations and am curious about the webtoon fans’ thoughts on the show.

 

Read the rest → https://www.dramabeans.com/2020/12/sweet-home-series-review/

Edited December 28, 2020 by mademoiselle

[Chocolate]

Spoiler

Quote

3. Hyun Su surrendered to the military at the apartment block but was later rescued by Pyeon Sang-Wook? Not Pyeon Sang Wook anymore - have you noticed this one has no scars? So who do you think can snatch a body like that?

 

Hyun-soo is shot and blacks out. Meanwhile, the gooey material that was Ui Myeong moves into a tank and starts the engine. When Hyun-soo wakes up, he's in the back of the vehicle, being driven by Ui Myeong, who appears in the form of Sang Wook.

Oh, I noticed the lack of the scar but haven't thought about why yet. But I totally missed the gooey material! So that's why. (Was watching at 3am). That Ui Myeong is quite formidable - can't be killed plus he is intelligent - he knew Hyun Su was still trying to help the humans.

 

But Sang Wook technically is also a monster isn't he? So he should not have been killed by the bullets?

 

 

Quote

That said, I'm still figuring out what desire Song Kang has that made him a monster. The fact that he was resisting so he didn't fully become one makes it harder to guess. If you guys have some thoughts about this, do share. Did he perhaps want freedom...?

 

I think it was mentioned that he wanted to live. How that translates from being bullied in school to the car accident to now...?

 

9 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

 

Hahahaha I often wonder which type I would be. The one that frozed & be killed or the ones that take action and I can't know until I've experienced it. When I took The Swoon quiz, I chose so many green, LMAO. I think if this happens to us, I'll likely die too. As for the women being stronger, I don't mind a good balance but I find that it's done too intentionally to appease to the current trend. Don't you think so? So many shows these days are being re-written to include women empowerment, LGBT and multi-racial. I don't mind the modern shows including this as it's a true depiction of the changes in the current world but for the oldern periods, it can become misleading and I often see it as brain washing the younger audiences who doesn't really know the real world yet.

 

I like to think I will run/hide/fight LOL.

 

Yes, I don't like to see diversity/inclusiveness/political correctedness etc. just for the sake of it. Some of the books that were written 30 years ago are now being revised with new endings or edits. I always try to read the original. But for Sweet Home, it was quite alright. Not forced. The capable men and women are leading, and there will always be weak men and women as a balance.

 

Thanks @mademoiselle for your clarification. It has helped to clear some of the confusion.

 

[mademoiselle]

1 hour ago, Chocolate said:

Spoiler

Oh, I noticed the lack of the scar but haven't thought about why yet. But I totally missed the gooey material! So that's why. (Was watching at 3am). That Ui Myeong is quite formidable - can't be killed plus he is intelligent - he knew Hyun Su was still trying to help the humans.

 

But Sang Wook technically is also a monster isn't he? So he should not have been killed by the bullets?

 

 

Spoiler

The monsters can only be killed via fire/burning, which makes Hyun Soo a powerful monster because his wing (spiky hands?) is fiery and it burnt Ui Myeong's host body. I believe Ui Myeong can be killed and is vulnerable in gooey stage if he's burnt. This time he got away because everyone thought he died. It's only my speculation here however I think he wants Hyun Soo because of Hyun Soo's burning ability which is why he saved Hyun Soo.

 

Why did you think Sang Wook is a monster? He was not infected; he was just a more resilient human.

I loved that PD had him and pretty Hyun Soo stood side-by-side holding the food tray. Such a huge contrast between "monster Hyun Soo who is still in human form (and pretty-looking) versus "Sang Wook - the real human with a disfigured face".

 

1 hour ago, Chocolate said:

I think it was mentioned that he wanted to live. How that translates from being bullied in school to the car accident to now...?

Hmm, my understanding of Hyun Soo's wanting to live is preventing him succumbing to his desire. So I didn't think it was "wanting to live". He did want to die (set a date in his calendar)... but I don't think this is his true desire. And what confuses me more is his transformation began from his scarred right hand. Oooh, found an article that talks about his desire. Will post in the next post. Tell me what you think!

Edited December 28, 2020 by mademoiselle

[Chocolate]

@mademoiselle

 

Spoiler

Sang Wook is not a monster??? Oh no, what have I been watching? I got it all wrong!

 

At the beginning:

• He got bitten but he didn't turn. So I thought he was immune to bites because he was already a monster. But you're right, if it is a curse which changes the humans, then the bite means nothing.
• He dragged that paedophile out and the body of the girl and soldier back to the apartment block. Can't remember whether he was injured. Then he collapsed. I thought he was recuperating like how Hyun Su recuperates after becoming injured.

Then he really died? So sad. I liked him.

 

 

Edited December 28, 2020 by Chocolate

[mademoiselle]

K-Drama Review: “Sweet Home” Examines How Greed & Despair Breed A Monster In Every Human Being
By Kimley Jone | December 21, 2020

“Humans are the scariest.” Indeed, Sweet Home‘s most resonating line could not have been said better.

Every place reeks of blood and people scream with anguish and fear. Sweet Home paints the kind of world where violence and gore echo the banality of survival. And in this chaotic world, survival becomes the essence of existence.

 

Quick Plot Round Up

Spoiler

Set in an old apartment building called Green Home, Cha Hyun Soo (Song Kang) moves in as a new tenant. The quiet and reclusive boy now lives alone after everyone in his family died in a car accident. His tragic life seems unbearable that Hyun Soo struggles with depression and contemplates about ending his life.

 

It does not help that the kind of environment in Green Home doesn’t even provide a healthy space for him. It looks untidy and would easily be mistaken as an abandoned building, if not for the people that dwell in it. The place is not conducive to an average quality living, but it would somehow pass as a decent abode for those who struggle to get by in life.

In addition, most of the residents display an indifferent attitude by imposing their superiority over the others. Nevertheless, there are still a handful who are at least civil, if not warm, towards their fellow residents.

Caught Off-Guard By The Presence Of Monsters

In an unexpected turn of events, horrifying monsters start to appear out of nowhere. The world is suddenly shaken by their presence as they begin to wreak havoc everywhere. These evil creatures with other-worldly powers destroy the daily flow of life.

 

The monsters kill all the human beings they see, and they especially devour their hearts. After which, they insatiably scream for more.

 

They come in different forms, with the same intention of sucking humans for food. There is the slimy giant monster which possesses enormous strength. There is also the eye monster whose tongue and limbs can extend to immeasurable length. And then there is the blind monster which has an unbelievable hearing sense.

Human Metamorphosis & The Inescapable Curse

Humans themselves metamorphose into monsters after exhibiting symptoms such as excessive nose-bleeding, passing out and displaying of violent aggressive behavior. In the midst of the chaos outside, the Green Home residents opt to stay inside the building, believing that they are safer inside.

 

People initially thought that to transform into a monster, one would have to be bitten by one. It is believed to manifest as a disease where one could possibly get infected through physical contact.

But it was later revealed that the phenomenon is rather a curse that humans are destined to experience. Everyone is susceptible from such curse. And it’s just a matter of time and circumstances before they become monsters themselves.

 

In this dystopic times, self-preservation is instinctive and inherent. Death is inevitable even for some who tried their best to survive. Some of the residents start to show off their selfish tendencies as they fight for survival, whether it’s about getting the basic human necessities or securing a safe space from the wicked creatures. But for the few ones who are left in the midst of the violent catastrophe, a special close bond develops and everyone becomes a kin to the one another.

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Highlights

Desire Breeds Monstrosity

Long before the terrifying situation ensued, a mysterious blogger shared a prophetic post about humans transforming into monsters. As it turned out, the process of metamorphosis goes beyond the physical factors. Hence, the belief that being “infected” causes a person to transform into a monster is entirely false. Instead, it is the person’s character that dictates the likelihood of becoming one.

 

People who harbor despair and insidious inner desire fall victim into this strange phenomenon. And because such traits are innate to humans, no one is spared. But it can be prevented, which in such case, heavily depends on how a person reacts to circumstances.

The Truth Behind “Monsterization”

Spoiler

The unforeseen monster invasion prodded the government to secretly carry out an experiment. With a select group of subjects, the study aims to create “monsterized” humans. These are a mutated breed of humans possessing the strength of a regular monster. The government believed that these human monsters would have the capacity to combat the purely evil monsters from destroying humanity. Thus, the term “monsterization” was coined.

 

Seo Yi Kyung (Lee Si Young) accidentally came across this classified information while searching for her fiance’s whereabouts who has gone missing without a trace. It turned out that her fiance was one of the subjects chosen to take part in the experiment.

In the process, she was caught by one of the soldiers digging into the secret information. She confronted the soldier and demanded information about her fiancé. The latter, however, refused to shed light on the outcome of the experiment.

The “Special Infectees”, Mind Games & Battle To Survive

“Special Infectees” are humans who have exhibited symptoms of becoming a monster, but somehow managed to resist their metamorphosis. This is the case for Hyun Soo whom everyone has expected to transform into a monster from the onset of his symptoms. Strangely he was able to hold out his transformation.

 

It turned out that human emotions play a huge part in resisting the metamorphosis. The ones who are filled with negative emotions are more likely to completely transform into monsters.

 

Yi Kyung, who had a confrontation with one of the soldiers, was previously given the option to report special infectees to the military in exchange of a secured space with supplies of basic needs. She then reports this to Lee Eun Hyuk (Lee Do Hyun), the one who stands as the group leader among the Green Home residents. But both are skeptic about the offer and deemed it as too good to be true. One of the men in uniform later disclosed that the military secretly plans to exterminate everyone, suspected monsters or not, in fear of massive monster invasion.

 

But just then, the military drops flyers tempting the public with this offer. From hereon, the question whether to surrender Hyun Soo to the military becomes an open debate.

 

Cha Hyun Soo’s Gradual Metamorphosis & The Antidote To Monsterization

The once bright and friendly teenager becomes withdrawn and depressive. Cha Hyun Soo’s pure and innocent view of the world was ruined when he became the object of bullying at school. To aggravate his emotional burden, his family thought that he is an embarrassment to them. Out of resentment, he secretly wished for them to disappear in his life. And then the tragic accident suddenly took their lives. Hyun Soo had too face the harsh truth that he is alone in the world.

 

He began to contemplate about suicidal thoughts. He even marked a day in his calendar to forego with it. But in a twist of fate, he begins fighting for survival as soon as the monsters start appearing.

 

Hyun Soo’s inner desire for a sense of belongingness and the loneliness that comes with it became the primary root of being “infected”. He exhibited symptoms early on in the series, but he managed to resist the transformation until the finale part.

This resistance is attributed to his innately kind and giving character. Uncomplaining, he obeyed what he was asked to do by the people at Green Home. He did all the errands for them without hesitations despite the threat of being killed by the monsters.

 

The finale part showed his complete metamorphosis into a one-winged monster. After being pushed to the limit by another monster of his own kind, his transformation was realized.  Yet after emptying himself with all the mounted anger he felt, he transformed back into being a human.

 

While Hyun Soo manifested monster tendencies, he tried his best to hold on to his humane nature. Hence, he is the middle ground between good and evil. His character somehow serves as a remnant of humanity in an apocalyptic world about to be ruled by monsters.

Lee Eun Hyuk’s Leadership

With his exceptional intelligence and reasonable decision-making process, Lee Eun Hyuk becomes the de-facto leader among the residents of Green Home. His leadership is founded on just and democratic principles – he upholds whatever is good for the majority.

 

Under his strategic planning, all basic supplies are shared. Food and water are equally divided and rationed to everyone. Even the ones who are already experiencing metamorphic changes are still fed, so long as they don’t hurt people. He also established the quarantine system to isolate the “infectees” from the normal people.

 

In the finale part, Eun Hyuk knew that he was already experiencing symptoms of becoming a monster. This may have been caused by his intense desire to protect everyone under his wing. By the time the group was able to find their way out of Green Home, he chose to stay inside the collapsing building to isolate himself from everyone. Perhaps, it is to avoid the possibility of indiscriminately killing them by the time he becomes a monster later on.

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Series Afterthoughts

Spoiler

This Netflix Original is just exceptional, if not perfect to cap off the year. There are too many emotions going on inside me while I process the main points of this series. In both form and matter, the display of artistry of the creators, actors and everyone involved in the production is beyond praise.

 

Let’s first talk about the tangible aspects of the series. Using monster as a villain is not a rare conflict trope in sci-fi and fantasy thriller genres. But Sweet Home took suspense on another level with its unapologetic intense gore and evocative imageries. Violence was portrayed in a horrifying and gruesome manner. Blood was, therefore, a staple sight all throughout the story.

 

The storyline overflows with the element of mystery especially in terms of characterization. The last few minutes sends off Seo Yi Kyung as a military personnel after all. Pyeon Sang Wook (Lee Jin Wook), who was believed to be a violent outlaw throughout the series, was also shown appearing in a military uniform. That final scene though begs the question of whether it was indeed his genuine self or perhaps he too had turned into a human monster.

 

The vague yet impactful closing felt so much like a cliffhanger for a possible sequel. It brings more questions than answers. Are Hyun Soo and Sang Wook on the same boat as human monsters? What will be the plight of the Green Home survivors in the hands of the military. What awaits the apocalyptic world invaded by monsters? Will humans manage to survive as they are or will the principle of natural selection determines the last ones standing? This premiere season is just too good that you’d be wanting for more.

Series Takeaway

Onto the substantial side of the narrative, Sweet Home’s main arc is embellished with a metaphor. In the grander and more visible scale, a monster is imaginatively depicted as something destructive and dangerous. It kills people. It destroys the natural order of things. This evil entity preys on anything that feeds its insatiable hunger. And humans have every reason to fear them.

 

Let’s take it into the microcosm of the self and the human emotions. Sweet Home, in a deeper sense, used monster as an allegorical representation of human’s deeply entrenched negative thoughts and emotions. And it is just as dark, destructive and dangerous as the fictional entity that symbolizes it.

 

The monsters depicted in the series connote human’s hideous nature. The protein monster may symbolize human’s unsatisfying urge for flesh. The eye monster personifies human’s destructive craving for prying over everything. To put it simply, humans breed these monsters through the negative emotions we allow to grow inside us. It is up to us for these monsters to take over the last vestige of our humanity.

 

Hyun Soo’s case is in itself the most profound example of this. Living in despair and distrust towards people could have easily turned him into a monster himself. But he was able to cling to the remaining signs of humanity in him, thus, resisting process of turning into a brutal monster.

Characters To Root For

Moreover, the character development was given emphasis with a clear and coherent flow for each character’s arc. Most of these characters started off displaying indifference with one another. But circumstances pushed them on the good side. And as the story unfolded, you might not be able to help but to cheer them on in their fight for survival.

 

At first, Jung Jae Heon (Kim Nam Hee) seems to be the stereotypical pious man who recites bible verses to anyone he meets. But at the course of the battle against the monsters, he was able to practice what he preached until his very last breath. His will to fight the evil monsters is rooted upon his devout spiritual allegiance to God and His people. Lee Eun Yoo (Go Min Si), the younger sister of Eun Hyuk was initially a brash and selfish teenager. She eventually developed into a remorseful character willing to be of good use to anyone who needs help.

 

Lee Jin Wook, the tsundere-like character, was able to shrug off his gangster image towards the end by his will to save Park Yu Ri (Go Young Jung). The grandfather, An Gil Seop (Kim Gap Soo), wasn’t afraid to die but he wished for a peaceful posterity for those who will manage to survive. So he dug a tunnel for them to escape the Green Home building. There’s the genius and innovative Han Du Sik (Kim Sang Ho), who despite of his physical limitations, was able to help fight the monsters through the improvised weapons he created. He also helped Hyun Soo to continuously have his grip with his humanity.

I can’t stress enough how this series is a masterpiece. This is a great binge-watch treat for anyone who is in for human-monster dynamics, with an in-depth take on the mental and emotional side of humans.

 

source

Edited December 28, 2020 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

15 minutes ago, Chocolate said:

@mademoiselle

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Sang Wook is not a monster??? Oh no, what have I been watching? I got it all wrong!

 

At the beginning:

• He got bitten but he didn't turn. So I thought he was immune to bites because he was already a monster. But you're right, if it is a curse which changes the humans, then the bite means nothing.
• He dragged that paedophile out and the body of the girl and soldier back to the apartment block. Can't remember whether he was injured. Then he collapsed. I thought he was recuperating like how Hyun Su recuperates after becoming injured.

Then he really died? So sad. I liked him.

 

 

Hahahahaha what have you been watching? I think you need a re-watch from episode 1-10 like I did The rewatch helps coz some scenes happened so quick I miss some minor details.

 

There are actually 2 speculations at the moment - one is he also became a monster and the other was being possessed by Ui Myeong. I liked to think it's 2 because Sang Wook showed no symptoms of monsterisation.

 

He fainted because he suffered head injuries. The paedophile hammered his head twice. It was already a miracle he was still conscious. Sang Wook is a man with strong will. Did you have your eyes closed for this scene? I had to when Sang Wook hammered the guy's face! Gosh it was so gruesome! Yep, I believe he really died. But because he is Lee Jin Wook, he deserves to return for S2 even if he is no longer playing the original character Sang Wook. Hahahaha.

 

That paedophile storyline is another good one, don't you think? A depiction of a real monster in human form. I had no empathy for him or what Sang Wook did even though I know it was wrong of Sang Wook to do so. Justice had to be served and he doesn't even deserve death immediately for what he did.

 

When they say infected it doesn't literally meant infected through bites because then Yi Kyung would be the first to turn because she was attacked by the blood sucking tongue monster first.

 

The above article pretty much summarise it:

 

Long before the terrifying situation ensued, a mysterious blogger shared a prophetic post about humans transforming into monsters. As it turned out, the process of metamorphosis goes beyond the physical factors. Hence, the belief that being “infected” causes a person to transform into a monster is entirely false. Instead, it is the person’s character that dictates the likelihood of becoming one.

 

People who harbor despair and insidious inner desire fall victim into this strange phenomenon. And because such traits are innate to humans, no one is spared. But it can be prevented, which in such case, heavily depends on how a person reacts to circumstances.

Edited December 28, 2020 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

Actor Song Kang reveals the reason his character Cha Hyun Soo wears mismatching socks in 'Sweet Home'

 

Netflix's original series 'Sweet Home' begins with a scene where a reclusive high school student Cha Hyun Soo moves into an apartment complex. The plot begins to unravel as the bizarre events of an apocalypse occur where mankind begins turning into human-eating monsters. Song Kang is the actor behind the protagonist Cha Hyun Soo.

In a recent video interview with the actor, Song Kang stated, "I can't believe the drama is receiving so much praise, I'm so honored to be the main character of a masterpiece."

Already 'Sweet Home,' which was released on December 18th, ranked in the top ten rankings on the Netflix charts in eleven countries. The series is based on the popular webtoon of the same title and gained much attention as the director who directed 'Goblin' and 'Mr. Sunshine' also directed the Netflix series.
 

Playing the main character, Cha Hyun Soo, of the 30 billion KRW (~27.25 million USD) masterpiece, is a feat the actor achieved in four years after his debut. He stated in the interview, "I felt burdened when I heard about the (high) production cost, but the director said he trusted me and encouraged me to only think about the character of Hyun Soo and his evil monster counterpart."

Song Kang also explained, "I thought deeply for a long time until the point my head hurt. However, I thought that would make it harder for me to express the character. So I decided to think more simply. When I acted as the reclusive Hyun Soo, I tried to reach into my introverted side, and I tried to bring out my wicked side when acting as the monster Hyun Soo. I think I concentrated on smiling wickedly as the monster Hyun Soo."
 

Song Kang contemplated a lot trying to depict the socially-disconnected highschool student. He revealed that he had to research and put much thought into each scene. He even wrote a journal about the scenes he was not too satisfied with. The talented actor stated, "I really wanted to express the process in which Hyun Soo, who was ostracized when he was younger, come out of his shell as he has to fight against the monsters. I was satisfied with those scenes, but I thought I could better show the resentment he had toward his family during the car scene."

He put in much effort to improve his acting, change his gaze, learned how to express different emotions. Song Kang stated he could not just mimic the emotions but had to project them from within.

 

He also paid close attention to the external factor to visually express the tendency of a secluded high school student. Although Song Kang has a masculine physique but had to change his posture by curling his shoulders and crouching as much as he can to look feeble. Song Kang also lost weight for the role as well as he wore mismatching socks.

 

Song Kang revealed his reasons for wearing the mismatched socks saying, "I felt Hyun Soo wouldn't be detailed enough or care enough to match his socks especially if he doesn't want to live further. I actually thought it would be weird if Hyun Soo has matching socks."

 

source

 

LOL, I actually thought it was cute that Hyun Soo wore mismatched socks when he went to see Doo Shik ahjussi.

[Chocolate]

Spoiler

47 minutes ago, mademoiselle said:

In the finale part, Eun Hyuk knew that he was already experiencing symptoms of becoming a monster. This may have been caused by his intense desire to protect everyone under his wing. By the time the group was able to find their way out of Green Home, he chose to stay inside the collapsing building to isolate himself from everyone. Perhaps, it is to avoid the possibility of indiscriminately killing them by the time he becomes a monster later on.

 

Lee Eun Hyuk - This seems like pointless sacrifice. He can see that Hyun Su and even Ui Myeong could control their monster. He is strong-willed and intelligent - logically, he should at least have attempted to live especially as he liked that ballerina girl. That should have been extra incentive.

 

Re-watch? 😱 I have to see if I love it that much first LOL.

 

Ah yes, the hammering of the head. That's what made me think he was a monster too. A human's brains would probably have exploded already. I watched every scene. It was not so gruesome to me. The only part that made me cringe a bit was when Sang Wook put that lit cigarette into the paedophile's mouth. I think Sang Wook is meting out justice for crimes where real justice would be hard to obtain.

 

I prefer that Sang Wook became a monster and was the one driving the truck with Hyun Su. It would be nice if they formed a team for S2. However, if it was Ui Myeong, that would make the show more thrilling because that one is a real baddie, so we will be at the edge of our seats wondering when he will turn against Hyun Su.

 

33 minutes ago, mademoiselle said:

People who harbor despair and insidious inner desire fall victim into this strange phenomenon. And because such traits are innate to humans, no one is spared. But it can be prevented, which in such case, heavily depends on how a person reacts to circumstances.

 

One thing that is not so consistent is that there is no timeline of when a person would change. By right, those who are mentally weaker and have more insidious desires should change earlier. That means, at the minimum, 2 of the useless men (the one who tried to take all the water when he realised there was a shortage and the one who pressed the alert for the military) should have changed earlier than Lee Eun Hyuk.

 

Edited December 28, 2020 by Chocolate