Sweet Home

"Sweet Home" is a gripping 2020 Korean drama that combines elements of horror, thriller, and survival. The series centers around Cha Hyun Soo, played by Song Kang, a reclusive high school student who moves into the dilapidated Green Home apartment complex after a family tragedy. As he struggles with his own grief and isolation, a terrifying phenomenon begins to unfold: people around him start transforming into monstrous creatures driven by their deepest desires and fears.

Lee Jin Wook stars as Pyeon Sang Wook, a mysterious and rugged resident with a violent past, while Lee Si Young takes on the role of Seo Yi Kyung, a former firefighter with formidable survival skills. Together, they form an unlikely alliance with other residents, including Lee Do Hyun as the intelligent and strategic Lee Eun Hyuk, and Go Min Si as his feisty younger sister, Lee Eun Yoo. The group must band together to fight off the monsters and uncover the cause of the horrifying transformations. The drama delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring how fear and desperation can bring out both the best and worst in people. Park Gyu Young plays Yoon Ji Su, a bassist with a tragic past, and Go Youn Jung portrays Park Yu Ri, a compassionate caregiver. The diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstories and motivations, adds depth to the narrative, making their fight for survival even more compelling.

"Sweet Home" has been praised for its stunning visual effects, intense action sequences, and emotional storytelling. Directed by Lee Eung Bok and based on the popular webtoon by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young Chan, the series has captivated audiences worldwide. With its blend of horror and humanity, "Sweet Home" stands out as a unique and unforgettable K-drama experience.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 스위트홈
🌎 Also Known As: Seuwiteuhom, Sweet Home
🎭 Genres: Action, Thriller, Horror, Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
🏷 Tags: Survival, Apocalypse, Monster, Based on Webtoon, Psychological, Suspense
✍ Screenwriters: Kim Hyung Min, Hong So Ri, Kim Hyung Min
🎬 Directors: Lee Eung Bok
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 10
🗓️ Aired: December 18, 2020
📅 Airing Days: Friday
📺 Original Network: Netflix
⏰ Duration: 50-60 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 18+ Restricted (violence and profanity)

Best Scenes

Cha Hyun Soo’s First Transformation: Song Kang’s character experiences his first monstrous transformation, showcasing impressive visual effects and intense acting.
Rooftop Battle: The survivors fight off a massive monster on the rooftop, a thrilling scene filled with suspense and teamwork.
Yi Kyung’s Sacrifice: Lee Si Young’s character, Seo Yi Kyung, makes a heart-wrenching sacrifice, adding emotional depth to the series.
Green Home Invasion: The scene where the monsters invade the Green Home complex is a high-tension moment that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.
Final Stand: The climactic battle in the last episode where the remaining residents face off against a horde of monsters in a desperate bid for survival.

Filming Locations

Set in Seoul: Most of the series was filmed in various locations around Seoul, capturing the urban environment essential to the storyline.
Green Home Complex: The apartment complex, Green Home, was created on a large set designed to reflect the claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere of the series.
Outdoor Scenes: Several outdoor scenes were shot in Gyeonggi Province, utilizing abandoned buildings and urban landscapes to enhance the post-apocalyptic feel.
Rooftop Scenes: Filmed on a specially constructed set, the rooftop scenes provide dramatic backdrops for key confrontations.
Special Effects Studio: Many monster transformation scenes were filmed in a controlled studio environment to allow for detailed CGI integration.

Visual Design and Costumes

Realistic Monster Designs: The monsters were designed to reflect human fears and desires, utilizing a mix of practical effects and CGI to create lifelike creatures.
Detailed Costumes: Costumes for the characters were meticulously designed to reflect their personalities and backgrounds, from Cha Hyun Soo’s simple attire to Seo Yi Kyung’s tactical gear.
Dark and Gritty Aesthetics: The series uses a muted color palette and shadowy lighting to enhance the horror atmosphere.
Post-Apocalyptic Set Design: The Green Home complex and surrounding areas were designed to look dilapidated and overrun, adding to the sense of danger and desperation.
Makeup Effects: Extensive use of makeup for injuries and transformations helped create a realistic and immersive experience.

Themes and Messages

Survival: The core theme revolves around the struggle for survival in a world overrun by monsters, highlighting human resilience.
Isolation and Loneliness: Cha Hyun Soo’s isolation and loneliness before the apocalypse mirror the physical isolation the characters face within the Green Home complex.
Human Nature: The series explores the duality of human nature, showing how fear and desperation can bring out both the best and worst in people.
Hope and Redemption: Despite the horrors, the series underscores themes of hope and the possibility of redemption through the characters’ actions and choices.
Community and Cooperation: The importance of community and working together is emphasized as the characters must rely on each other to survive.

Interesting Facts

Based on a Webtoon: “Sweet Home” is adapted from a popular webtoon by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young Chan, which has a large fanbase.
High Production Value: The series had a significant budget, with extensive use of CGI and special effects to bring the monsters to life.
Intense Training: Actors underwent intense physical training to prepare for the demanding action scenes, particularly Lee Si Young, who performed many of her own stunts.
Global Popularity: “Sweet Home” gained international acclaim and was one of Netflix’s top-streamed shows in multiple countries upon its release.
Future Seasons: Due to its popularity, there have been discussions about potential future seasons, expanding on the storyline and characters.

Awards

2021 Asian Academy Creative Awards:
- Best Direction (Fiction): Lee Eung Bok
- Best Visual or Special FX in TV Series or Feature Film: Recognized for its outstanding CGI and practical effects.
2021 Korea Content Awards:
- Excellence Award for Drama: Acknowledged for its engaging storyline and production quality.
2021 Buil Film Awards:
- Technical Award: Given for the exceptional technical execution, including special effects and makeup.
2021 Asia Contents Awards:
- Best Creative: Awarded for its innovative storytelling and adaptation from the original webtoon.
2021 APAN Star Awards:
- Top Excellence Award, Actor in an OTT Drama: Song Kang, for his performance as Cha Hyun Soo.

These awards highlight the critical acclaim and recognition “Sweet Home” received for its direction, special effects, and performances, particularly by lead actor Song Kang

Real-Life Loves on Set

While there have been no confirmed real-life romances among the cast of “Sweet Home,” the strong chemistry between the actors has been noted. The camaraderie on set contributed to their convincing performances, especially the bonds formed between the residents of Green Home.