Park Hyung-sik, Han Hyo-joo Make Comebacks In 'Happiness'

The new Korean drama “Happiness” takes place at a time when infectious diseases are the new normal. It depicts the subtle psychological battle and the class discrimination that occur at the backdrop of a newly constructed apartment where the higher floors are for sale and the lower floors are rented out.

Police officer Yoon Sae-bom (Han Hyo-joo) and her high school classmate Jung Yi-hyun (Park Hyung-sik) are also trapped in the apartment, fighting for survival as fear and distrust spreads amongst its residents.

This is also Park Hyung-sik’s first drama after being discharged from the military earlier this year. In “Happiness,” he plays a baseball-player-turned-police-officer who is proud that his health and fitness are at optimal conditions.

Park Hyung-sik also revealed that he faced an obstacle during his first day of filming.

“As this was my first time being on-set in a long while, I was a little rusty with the camera angles, and even got teased by the director. But the good filming ambience allowed me to immerse myself in the character swiftly.”

This is also Han Hyo-joo’s comeback to the small screen after five years, and her first time filming a modern suspense-thriller genre. When asked about what they would do if they were caught in similar situation as their characters, who were trapped in the building due to an infectious disease, the actress said she would make the same choice as Sae-bom, opting to play on the offense, while Park Hyung-sik confessed he would “likely escape first!”

Donning high school uniforms in some scenes with Park Hyung-sik, 34 year-old Han Hyo-joo doesn’t look a day over 18.

“But when I meet younger actors who are in their teens, I still get a shock knowing they’re 20 years younger than me,” she said.

To better portray her role as a member of the police special squad, Han did thorough research and trained her combat skills, practicing her shooting at a firing range.

Previously in “Guardian: The Lonely” and “Great God,” actor Jo Woo-jin portrays a lieutenant colonel part of the health service command in Happiness. When asked about his view on Park Hyung-sik, Jo Woo-jin commended his co-star’s ability to create a lively atmosphere on-set.

“He seems to have returned from a vitamin factory rather than the military. He’s like a vitamin who brings energy to those around him.”

Starting November 6, new episodes of Happiness will be available on the iQiyi International

app or iQ.com at 12pm every Saturday and Sunday.

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