You're looking for it. That specific mix of high-stakes apartment lockdown, "mad person disease," and the kind of slow-burn romance that makes you want to yell at your screen. Honestly, Happiness—the 2021 K-drama starring Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik—is one of those shows that people just don't stop talking about even years later. But tracking down where to watch Happiness South Korean TV series in 2026 can be a total headache depending on where you're sitting in the world.
The licensing for Studio Dragon shows is always shifting. One day it’s on one app, the next it’s gone. It's frustrating.
The Current Heavy Hitters for Streaming Happiness
If you want the most reliable spot, Rakuten Viki is basically the gold standard for this one. They’ve held the rights for a long time. In 2026, it’s still sitting there with high-quality subtitles in dozens of languages. Most people go here because Viki handles the nuance of Korean honorifics way better than some of the bigger, more "corporate" platforms. You might have to deal with ads if you’re on the free tier, but it’s there.
Then there’s Netflix.
Netflix is a bit of a wildcard. In many regions—including parts of Europe, India, and Southeast Asia—Happiness is a staple in their K-drama library. However, if you are in the US, Netflix has a habit of cycling these titles in and out. If you search for it and it doesn't pop up, it’s likely a licensing gap in your specific zip code.
Check these spots first:
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- Rakuten Viki: Usually has it worldwide with a Viki Pass (or free with ads in some spots).
- Netflix: Available in selected territories like the UK, Canada, and various Asian markets.
- Viu: If you’re in Southeast Asia (Singapore, Philippines, etc.), this is often your best bet.
- Apple TV & Amazon Prime: These often offer it as a "buy or rent" option if you don't want another subscription.
Why Is It So Hard to Find Sometimes?
It’s all about the "Sleeper Hit" effect. When Happiness first aired on tvN, it did okay. Not mind-blowing. But once it hit global streamers in 2022, it exploded. It hit the Global Top 10 on Netflix and stayed there. Because of that popularity, platforms fight over who gets to keep it. In 2026, we’re seeing more fragmented licensing.
You might also see a 2025 series with the same name popping up on HBO Max or Apple TV featuring a Broadway director in New Zealand. Don't get confused. That's a completely different show. If there aren't zombies (well, "infected" people) and a gritty apartment complex, you’ve clicked the wrong one.
The Plot: Why You Actually Care
Look, the "zombie" thing is just the background noise. The real reason people hunt for this show is the chemistry between Yoon Sae-bom and Jung Yi-hyun.
Sae-bom is a specialized police officer who just wants a nice apartment. She basically enters a "contract marriage" with her high school friend, Yi-hyun, who is a detective, just to get the housing points needed for a new high-rise. Then, the Lytta Virus—caused by a failed pneumonia drug called "Next"—turns people into bloodthirsty, temporarily insane monsters.
The building gets locked down.
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What follows isn't just a horror show; it's a brutal look at class warfare. The "haves" live on the upper floors, and the "have-nots" are in the rental units below. Honestly, the humans are way scarier than the infected people in this series.
A Quick Reality Check on Season 2
I get asked this a lot: "Is there a Season 2?"
Kinda... no. The story was written as a tight 12-episode arc. While fans have been begging for more since 2021, the creators haven't announced a sequel. The ending of the first season is actually pretty conclusive, though it leaves you wanting to see more of the leads just... living a normal life. If you see "Happiness Season 2" trailers on YouTube, they are almost certainly fan-made edits. Don't fall for the clickbait.
Regional Breakdown for 2026
Streaming rights are a mess, so here is the breakdown of where to watch Happiness South Korean TV series based on where you are:
In the United States:
Viki is your primary source. It occasionally pops up on Hulu or Netflix, but those deals are often short-lived. If you have a Roku, you can sometimes find it on the Roku Channel or through Pluto TV's international sections.
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In the UK and Europe:
Netflix usually has the license here. If not, Viki is the fallback.
In Australia and New Zealand:
Again, Netflix is the dominant player for this title. If you're looking for the New Zealand series Happiness (2025), that's on HBO Max, but for the K-drama, stick to the usual suspects.
In India:
Netflix and Viki both carry it. It's been a massive hit in the Indian market, so it's rarely unavailable.
Practical Steps to Start Watching
Don't just start clicking on random "free movie" sites. Those are a nightmare for your computer's health.
- Open your Netflix app and search for "Happiness." If it’s there, great. If not, don't panic.
- Head over to Rakuten Viki. You can usually watch the first episode for free to check the subtitle quality.
- If you’re traveling, remember that your library might change. What you can see in London isn't what you can see in New York.
- Make sure you are looking for the 2021 series produced by Studio Dragon.
The show is only 12 episodes. It’s a fast watch. Most people binge it in a weekend because the cliffhangers at the end of episodes 4 and 9 are absolutely brutal. You’ve been warned.
Once you finish, you'll probably want to look into other "survival" K-dramas like All of Us Are Dead or Sweet Home, but honestly, nothing quite captures the specific "fake marriage vs. apocalypse" vibe that Happiness nailed so perfectly.
Go check Viki first; it's the most consistent home for the show right now.