Breaking Down the Epic Ending of Sweet Home, Netflix’s First Popular K-Drama

As a longtime fan of post-apocalyptic stories, I have seen my fair share of bleak endings. But Sweet Home defied my expectations with its hopeful finale. After losing Yi-su, Hyun-su’s resilience and determination to protect those around him were put to the ultimate test.

In its final bow on Netflix, Sweet Home, the groundbreaking first Korean drama to make it into the US Top Ten, concluded its third and last season. Originally based on a webtoon penned by Kim Carnby with art by Hwang Young-cha, this gripping series chronicles the lives of Green Home apartment complex residents amidst a monster apocalypse. As the disaster unfolds, people undergo transformations into various creatures, driven by their deepest desires. Although not innately wicked, these monsters pose threats to one another and the scant remaining humans, struggling to coexist in this bleak new order.

When “Sweet Home” premiered on Netflix in December 2020, it resonated deeply with audiences experiencing firsthand the dramatic shift in society brought about by a contagious disease. However, the arrival of Season 2 in December 2023 left many fans feeling let down as the scope of the show expanded and the focus shifted from several original characters. By July 2024, “Sweet Home” concluded with a final eight-episode season. Despite the criticisms of the previous installment, there are numerous reasons why this drama is worth completing. Let’s explore some compelling aspects of Season 3.

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Cha Hyun-su, Sang-won, and the other Special Infectees

As a huge fan of Korean dramas and movies, I’ve recently discovered “Sweet Home” and I’m absolutely hooked! The central character of this thrilling series is Cha Hyun-su, played by Song Kang in “My Demon.” At the beginning of the show, Hyun-su is depicted as a deeply troubled teenage orphan who is dealing with severe depression and contemplating suicide.

At the close of Season 1, Hyun-su has adjusted to his role as a “Specially Infected Person” or SIP, as referred to by the Korean military administration. This designation grants him unique abilities, such as growing an enormous, edged wing when necessary. Intriguingly revealed in Season 2, Hyun-su possesses the power to transform monsters back into humans. He showcases this skill on Green Home firefighter Seo Yi-kyung (Lee Si-young), who had been turned into a monster by her daughter to save her from imminent death—we’ll delve deeper into that storyline soon.

In Season 2, a notable group of Special Infectees becomes the primary adversaries, with Jung Ui-myeong (portrayed by Kim Sung-cheol) being introduced towards the end of Season 1 as the most significant among them. He assumes control over Sang-wook’s (Lee Jin-wook) body, a kind-hearted thug from Green Home, for a considerable portion of the series. Later on, we discover that Jung Ui-myeong is the monstrous transformation of Sang-won, Yi-kyung’s scientist partner and one of the pioneers in the study of monsterization.

At first, Sang-won was a kind-hearted colleague. But after he willingly became a test subject for Dr. Lim’s (Oh Jung-se) infected experiments, he lost his mind. As a result of his agony, Sang-won acquired the power to inhabit other people’s bodies and command them. In the third season, it is revealed that Dr. Lim utilized Sang-won’s blood in vials to transform a select number of test subjects into “Special Infectees.” When Sang-won regained access to the Bamseom research facility, these individuals became his followers.

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The monster girl called Yi-su

Sang-won is deeply fixated on acquiring a potent physical form. Consequently, he transforms his unborn daughter, Yi-su (previously Kim Si-a), into a creature with monstrous attributes before her birth in Season 2. The result of this anomaly is that Yi-su is born half-human and half-monster. This situation creates substantial interpersonal conflict throughout Season 2, as Yi-kyung grapples with accepting her unique daughter. Initially, Yi-kyung relinquishes her newborn to be raised by Hyun-su, resulting in a unique bond between them.

Yi-su is a unique character who ages rapidly and reaches tweens by the end of Season 2. She possesses the power to transform humans into monsters just by touching them, as seen when she changes her mother in Season 2. In a fire, Yi-kyung sustains fatal injuries, and Yi-su converts her into a monster. Later, Hyun-su manages to restore Yi-kyung’s human form. Tragically, Yi-kyung meets her end at the hands of her former fiancé, Sang-won, while trying to shield Yi-su from his grasp.

Yi-su, who was still learning about relationships, experiences deep sadness upon losing her mother for the second time, realizing the irreversible impact of death.

What are Neohumans?

In addition to the diverse creature folklore presented in the second season of “Sweet Home,” the third installment introduces a new monster type: neohumans. Neohumans represent the pinnacle of monster evolution. When a monster is defeated, it transforms into a cocoon-like casing called a “heart.” Following this metamorphosis, neohumans emerge anew as enhanced human forms, endowed with extraordinary learning and healing capabilities if they meet their demise. Although they retain all recollections of their past human lives, they are born anew without any connected emotions. This condition is not portrayed as wholly unfavorable, implying that neohumans have the potential to reacquire feelings.

In the first season, we get to know Neohumans through the character of Lee Do-hyun, played by Lee Eun-hyuk. He and his younger sister, ballerina Go Min-si (Lee Eun-yu), resided at Green Home. Their relationship was marked by frequent conflicts, but in the end, they harbored deep affection for each other.

I’ve closely followed the storyline of this series, and although it appeared that Eun-hyuk perished at the end of Season 1 when Green Home was destroyed, my heart never lost faith that he was somehow still alive, hidden away as a monster. The moment I set eyes on him again in Season 3, I was hesitant to let go of the past and allow myself to get close. Deep down, I carried a cherished photograph of the Lee family with me everywhere. Eun-hyeok, however, seemed indifferent and slow to embrace his neohuman identity. His distant demeanor shattered my heart, pushing me further towards becoming a monster myself. In the midst of my delirious hallucinations, I was transported back to a time when I felt secure and loved – sharing memories with my beloved brother before his transformation into a neohuman. Ultimately, it’s the longing for safety, security, and love that drives me forward in this journey.

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Sang-won’s ultimate demise

In Season 1, Hyun-su and Eun-hyeok frequently clashed. However, they formed a fragile partnership in Season 3, joining forces against Sang-won. Hyun-su feels compelled to safeguard the dwindling human population, who have taken refuge at a damaged Stadium under the watch of the Crow Platoon’s soldiers. Meanwhile, Eun-hyeok is concerned about the potential danger posed by Sang-won’s ruthless and power-hungry nature to the development of neohumans.

In the interim, Sang-won has advanced in his scheme to inhabit his daughter’s formidable physique. At first, he encountered setbacks, but Dr. Lim revealed that enduring immense agony is essential for switching bodies. With this knowledge, Sang-won instructed the Stadium inhabitants to construct a large fire. Enraged by Dr. Lim’s concealment of the last vial of Sang-won’s blood, he tossed him into the flames first. Subsequently, Sang-won stepped into the inferno himself, experiencing excruciating pain that enabled him to transfer his consciousness into Yi-su’s body.

At the Stadium, tension mounts as Hyun-su and Eun-hyeok arrive. With determined resolve, Eun-hyeok intends to execute their plan to eliminate Sang-won no matter the consequence. In stark contrast, Hyun-su is driven by a desperate need to protect Yi-su. However, Yi-su has her own plans. She manages to momentarily overpower Sang-won, sacrificing herself by letting Eun-hyeok pin her down, thereby freeing her from her father’s grip. In Hyun-su’s arms, she takes her last breaths, expressing her wish to reunite with her mother. (Although, it is later revealed that she miraculously revives.)

Hyun-su is deeply sorrowful after losing his parents and sister in a car accident before the series began. This tragic loss has significantly influenced his actions throughout the story, as he feels compelled to protect those he considers family from harm. Driven by this pain, he sets out to confront Sang-won.

Despite it not being Hyun-su or Eun-hyeok who ultimately commit the act, an unexpected turn of events occurs. With Yi-su out of the way, Sang-won frantically switches bodies in desperation. He eventually returns to Sang-wook’s body. This finale twist is perplexing given that Sang-wook appeared to be gone for good – both physically and spiritually. It’s possible that Sang-won has been reborn as a neohuman or his monstrous body was strong enough to regenerate. More likely, the writers of “Sweet Home” chose this emotionally satisfying resolution for the reluctant hero of Green Home in Season 1, disregarding plot logic to make it happen.

How does Sweet Home Season 3 end?

For those with high hopes for a satisfying conclusion to “Sweet Home,” their wishes were generally granted. Despite the extensive violence, it appears that there is optimism left for the remaining characters – humans, monsters, and neohumans included. With Sang-won now vanquished, Hyun-su and the rest of the Crow Platoon escort the survivors to safety. In their quest for a new sanctuary, they encounter a band of neohumans. According to a voiceover from Hyun-su, these two groups eventually learn to coexist peacefully. This harmonious community ensures that the human survivors no longer have to be apprehensive about their potential transformation into monsters; even if they do change, they will still belong somewhere.

In the last episode, Hyun-su and Eun-hyeok reunite on a rooftop, where they unexpectedly come across Eun-yu. Her appearance suggests she may be neohuman, similar to her brother. This scene recalls an early moment in the series: in the initial episode, Hyun-su considers jumping off the Green Home building’s roof to end his life. However, he is halted when he observes Eun-yu gracefully dancing ballet on the rooftop. Her performance rekindles within him a sense of the pleasures of existence. Throughout the series, Hyun-su and Eun-hyeok have been metaphorically engaged in a romantic dance around each other.

Despite not witnessing Eun-yu and Hyun-su forming a relationship, the series concludes with Hyun-su and Eun-hyeok smiling at Eun-yu on a Seoul rooftop, engrossed in music through headphones. In a voiceover, Hyun-su shares, “During this endless hour, we all need a place to stay and a place to return to. So, as we remain patient, we’ve chosen to name this haven Sweet Home.” Finding solace at last.

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2024-07-20 01:07