Battle for Happiness (2023)

Despite all the catfights there is a deeper grounding to the story. Intelligent. Emotional. Opaque.

"Battle for Happiness" is based on a novel, the author herself having written the script for its KDrama version on PayTV, too. The story offers refreshing substance - with insight into honest emotional worlds underneath a shimmering dishonest surface. Powerful, intense women, who also have their sore, hidden wounds, shaping a surprisingly powerful story. Hats off!

The story is set in the elite world of elite Gangnam mothers in the elite (fictional) Gangnam housing block Herinity. But even though the ladies may have made it into the upper league of society by marrying a lawyer or doctor or having wealth in some other way, they are still far from happy - even if they do almost everything to make it look as if...

Perhaps one could say that the KDrama is (again) a reckoning with the dubious concept that gives preference to the radiant, shimmering external appearance over truthful, sincere substance. But that's quite abstract. Actually, “Battle for Happiness” is rather precise. The battles are taking place in the mud of the protagonists' hidden secrets and weaknesses. That is dirty. That is mean. That is malicious. That is cruel. But that's what the life of those Gangnam mothers is all about. The societal backdrop is characterized by the overall social pressure to perform and compete for pole position in the race for the top spots in the social pyramid. But this is actually just the backdrop. It's actually less about the children. They are ornaments of their mothers. The mothers, on the other hand, are in the spotlight - wealthy, frighteningly powerful, influential women. Vulnerable people, nonetheless.

Admittedly, at the beginning I was tempted drop – those bitches! So false, so dishonest, so calculating, it was almost unbearable... The social media in their function, to spice up one´s own life a little more gloriously on the outside, are elaborately integrated into the overall dramaturgical structure. However, I stuck with “Battle for Happiness” because despite all the catfights there is a deeper grounding to the story, whose charisma can eventually fully unfold.

In fact, I'm glad I stuck with it, because the story offers an exciting rollercoaster ride of assumptions and suspicions. "Battle of Happiness" suddenly turns out to be a captivating crime thriller in which an inconspicuous private person takes the investigation into her own (unexperienced and sometimes naïve, impulsive) hands. Yet, even more appealing to me is the naturalness in which this KDrama gives a hand for compassion - even with the worst of the she-devils: the lady, who as the incarnated princess of hell in designer clothes initially got people´s minds running wild...

It´s the ladies, who rock the show. They are mothers, wives or single. In any case, you can't get past them. And they, for their part, cannot avoid facing their own sore wounds, which are catching up with them one by one. We consistently dig deeper into the hidden emotional worlds of those women (plus also a couple of men and some children). They must face their personal emotional battles, even if they don´t want to. In the best case scenario, they become their actual battles for happiness, as they lead to their very personal questions and truths - what is REALLY crucial in my life?

There is a dubious mathematical equation circulating among those ladies that goes something like this: 'The amount of misfortune I cause someone else becomes a factor for my personal happiness.' Well, even if I'm myself not great at math: If you multiply whatsoever by zero, as far as I know, zero still remains, isn´t it... So eventually, those ladies are forced to work on THIS point in the equation (the zero!)...
...and some of them actually take advantage of this opportunity as an outsider penetrates the aloof world of the Gangnam ladies. One, who doesn't think much of all the elitist concepts of happiness and competition, but instead innocently keeps looking for the perpetrator.

I wouldn't have thought so at first, but in my opinion "Battle of Happiness" is clearly one of the better, more substantial productions that 2023 has to offer so far. Comparisons with existing KDrama productions that are set in a similar milieu and/or wade in the mud of the glittering elite may perhaps come to mind. But "Battle of Happiness" tells its own story! And in my opinion it is definitely worth watching. (...if you are not looking for Romance or Oppas or Comedy…)

Most of us may never get near such exclusive worlds. However, wanting to fool others (and ourselves), feeling better when others are feeling worse, sometimes doing something to others that we wouldn't want to be done to yourself... hardly anyone might be immune to these human impulses. If we take away the exclusive luxury world, from which many may easily distance themselves, then we're still left with the beastly temptation that may linger in all of us. Maybe/hopefully we just don't let the beast in us out of the bag so uninhibitedly...

So I could summarize: I appreciate the intelligent, yet still highly emotional approach and the opaque processing of those different relationship dynamics between the protagonists.

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Unexpectedly good

Discovered this series quite recently and thought this I must review. Thought I'd watch it first while I wait for others to come. In this one, there are many women in the lead roles. These women as mothers focus on their pre-school children. Who invests and wants the best for their children.

Social media and private secrets in focus, status hunting and celebrity at first. However, there is much more going on in private life than that. There are some similarities with Celebrity in terms of the amount of antagonists and part of the theme.
What lies beneath the surface behind their posts?
What do they want to show or hide?

The protagonist also works in banking & finance, which reminds me of one in Little women that I can see similarities with. Both series have some similarities but also some differences. She is perceived as an obstacle for the other women, even though she wants to know the truth because of an incident. I have to say that I like her tenacity very much, she never gives up. There are many and very many who turn against her. Which many are connected to and can relate to. Great fight between her antagonists.

This one is not very violent at all but intense, rather a light psychological thriller. No romantic love in focus. The men end up a little to the side. They help and do their part. Characters are mature, at the same time there are complex family situations and difficult problems. Which makes the series also reminiscent of Lies hidden in my garden fast with several families. Would also say this deeper too, maybe because the series is longer too. The intentions of this are not always obvious. As there is more focus on parenthood. Good soundtracks that strengthen the mood for many moments. A very underrated and hardly talked about series. Very interesting!!!

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A mix of penthouse and sky castle

The drama is a mixture of a lot of things....while this may be a good thing when executed well but here it wasn't.
They just tried to include everything from elementary schools and female jealousies to secret kids and brothels. Honestly I feel like they just tried to put in too much in one place.....also there were quite a few ends that were not tied properly and like if you've stretched the damn drama till 16 episodes might as well give a better happier ending.....
It did give off sky castle and penthouse to me with the writing and execution but maybe it's just me...
Overall I would say it was good enough for a one time watch...they could have made it better and shorter had they reduced a couple elements.....
Nevertheless a good one time watch

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A drama about each people's conception of happiness.

The story-line of this drama is deeper and darker than I would have thought.

This drama revolves around the Bannae-dong murder case, which Oh Yujin, a famous influencer, is the victim of. Throughout the drama, a witch-hunt is occurring to unveil the truth about the whole case. The whole circumstances that led to this tragic event are utterly horrid. This drama is also about people hiding their true happiness, forgetting their true happiness, ruining someone's true happiness, looking for their true happiness.

"What Yujin wanted to hide giving up her own life, true happiness. What she wanted to protect giving up her life, fake happiness."

Each of the character had a different approach with happiness.
- Miho's true happiness: Yujin, Jiyul and Hayul, and Jinseop.
- Jungah's true happiness: Her people.
- Nayoung's true happiness: Arin, and the baby she's carrying in her belly.
- Jiye's true happiness: Sowon.
- Yujin's true happiness: Miho, Jiyul and Hayul, Jua, and her first love.

Each one of them made choices to preserve their true happiness and their peace of mind. Nayoung firmly chose to divorce Taeho while Jungah decided not to divorce Subin even though he betrayed her. Two different choices and two different approaches in life. Even though we might not agree with their choice, it remains their choice, it remains their life.

"The scar you left, it won't ever go away. I will resent you and hate you and be heartbroken all over again. But I decided to continue to live with you. And that's my choice" - Jungah.

Now let's delve into the most important plot of the show: the murder case and who was behind it. As expected, Yujin's evil husband, Kang Dojun, was the mastermind behind it. "You can't even be a proper man." was his turning point. This sentence said by Yujin made him commit the worst. He is willing to kill the mother of his children over a mere sentence. That's how frail of a person he is and how fragile his manhood is. But what made Yujin burn with rage? Something that would make any mother see red, he committed the worst atrocity. The girl who was in the explicit video with him was Yujin's daughter, Jua. He tormented his step-daughter. The moment I realized it was her in the video, I had to stop the episode for a second and breathe because that was too much to take. Also the moment I realized this, I wanted to see his comeuppance, something that we unfortunately didn't get to witness.

The last scene we see Kang Dojun in is him entering a police car while looking at Miho, pretty underwhelming I may say. We should have seem his trial and his demise. This is why I have to remove points.

The thing that increases the score is the sisterhood between Miho and Yujin. Man these girls love each others so much, talk about a bad timing. They didn't get the chance to properly say "I love you" to one another. The only way now of Miho to show her love towards Yujin is to shower Jiyul and Hayul with love.
Ever since the moment Miho got the hold of her folder in Yujin's USB and read that "Complaint" file about her, I knew she didn't read it all. I knew there was more to it. There was no way Yujin's last words regarding Miho would be negative. As soon as I saw that she didn't read everything, I felt relieved. I wanted a good ending for these women.
"You were everything to me... You were my only family. No matter what anyone else said, you were my family. You were my sister and my best friend." - Yujin to Miho.

Miho's way to apologize to Yujin for being too clueless and ignorant was to investigate Yujin's case and properly send her away. Even though Miho's detective work was too emotional and clumsy, I have to give her the fact that she never gave up and stayed brave until the end.

Now the past is past, it's time to move on for all of them while reminiscing the good memories. Miho needs to change her environment and Jiyul and Hayul really need therapy because what these poor girls went through must have taken a toll on them. I hope they all find peace and end up being a happy family. Real Aunt Miho, Real Uncle Jinseop, Jiyul, Hayul.

"I'm happy with just remembering them. The feeling of happiness. The memories that I don't want to forget. The moment that I don't want to miss. Maybe I should try to capture them forever... for my true inner happiness." - Jang Miho.

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a powerful reminder of the strength that women possess

Battle for Happiness is a riveting Korean drama that captivates viewers with its compelling storyline. The narrative revolves around a group of strong-willed women, comprising moms and aunty, engaged in a fierce battle to reclaim their happiness and liberation from oppression, hurt, and buried secrets. Their struggle is entwined with the complexities of raising their children while confronting the bitter betrayal of their husbands.

What makes this drama stand out is the way it delves into the psyche of each character, showcasing their vulnerabilities and determination to rediscover their true selves. The female actresses' performances are exceptional, portraying a wide spectrum of emotions with sincerity and depth. Additionally, the male actor complements the female ensemble with a nuanced portrayal that adds a layer of complexity to the overall narrative.

With a perfect balance of tension, heartbreak, and moments of triumph, Battle for Happiness keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the series. It serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that women possess in overcoming adversity and the importance of finding one's happiness amidst life's challenges.

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Sky Castle turns to The Penthouse S3

The show starts off pretty strong, the acting, story, thrill on MAX! very reminiscent of Sky Castle (A must watch btw!).
However, at some point the plot holes start showing and the show got progressively worse & worse. take the acting for example, it was very got at the first half of the show, but it got worse and worse, i found myself laughing at how bad it was during a couple of scenes, notably by Mi Ho & Ji Ye, when theu cried or they yelled or literally any scene beyond staring into the camera like a fish, they were honestly so bad... like the kind camp rock kind of bad lol

~Now let me break down my thought on some things

1. The investigation:

girl do i have questions
°Why wasn't the husband a prime suspect?
°Why did the police so absolutely no investigation whatsoever?
°In the finale, the detective somehow stopped ignoring the fl's doubts??? and they arrive ~magically- to arrest the husband?? it's so poorly written might as well sit on the floor and beg.

2. The neighbours:
I liked the bitchness of the other moms, again, Sky Castle vibes. They were cruel and absolutely merciless with each other. their dynamics were very hooking. it seems the writer saw that and was like "nah nah let me ruin the one good thing about the show" and suddenly it's garbage. like im sorry how come Na Yong forgave the icy witch who literally drove her to suicide???????? and youre telling me all main female characters suddenly started caring for fl?????? this pushed girl boss✨️✨️ energy ruined it for me.

3. The Female Lead (Mi Ho):
let's👏🏻fucking👏🏻talk👏🏻about👏🏻it👏🏻

one of the worst most boring stupidest fls EVER!
she got on my nerves so bad, every time she gets some sort of information about someone, she confronts them head on! like are u serious girl?? what if one of them was the murderer?? her character was very flat and one dimensional, but considering the fact she couldn't recognise her mum's abuse of her sister, i guess it's very on brand of her to be so blood boilingly oblivious. if you want a smart fl, definitely skip this one.

4. Plot holes/unfinished stories:

*Mi Ho's mum got off wayyyyyy to easy for my liking, there was zero consequences for her when realistically she's the source of all evil on this show.

*Did the ignore the fucking pedophilia??????
I despised the way they handled this issue, and it seems it never got acknowledged by the police either. also, what happened the poor girl (Yu jin's daughter)?? did the writer seriously just send her bad to her grandma??? is that feeding scense supposed to be her happily ever after?????????? the show straight went to below 5 when i saw this scene.

*that cheater didn't meet a harsh enough ending, idk it didn't feel satisfying.

*The little twin SHOULD in fact MUST go to therapy, not be sent to the US. // i honestly hate how very little psychological perspective was taken into account during the making of this show.

*Making the mom who got scammed by the banker mom forgive the scammer is so lame & shows that the writer does not understand how ppl think at all. this one ties back to my point about the girlbossification of every female character in the show, just weird and shallow.

*[this one out of sheer pettiness only so take it with a grain of salt] the Mi Ho's colleage is very annoying, like in real life he'd be the worst person to have for a work partner lmao.

~tbh the only person who i have nothing but positive notes about is Yu Jin, she did the thinggg or whatever Ariana Debose said lol

OVERALL
if you value your sanity, don't even bother. the story had SO MUCH potentials but everything got so messy after the episode when the husband woke up (men stay ruining everything huh?)

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No Clear Winners: Unraveling the Battle for Happiness

"Battle for Happiness" delves into the intense realm of mothers battling fiercely on social media, each vying for their version of 'Happiness.' At the outset, penned by Joo Young Ha and directed by Kim Yoon Cheol, one might mistake the drama as merely a dull echo of "Green Mothers' Club." Yet as I dutifully watched the narrative around the volunteer moms unravel, I also stayed committed to the moms of Herinity English Kindergarten, curious to witness the eventual victor in this happiness warfare.

What Worked:
1. Lee El's Performance: While some criticized Lee El's depiction of Jang Mi Ho as flat, I found every moment credible. Given Jang Mi Ho's traumatic past shaped by a mother consumed by jealousy, it made sense to see Lee El, as beautiful as she is, in more practical (and baggy!) attire rather than upscale fashion.
2. Set Design: The meticulously curated interiors reflected the distinct personalities of the battling ladies. While most of the drama showcased Jang Mi Ho at her sister's lavishly decorated apartment, her studio provided a stark contrast – it was functional and minimalistic, which was a thoughtful touch I appreciated.
3. Wardrobe: The sartorial choices were a visual treat, with each character, barring Jang Mi Ho, exuding elegance and sophistication. And while the Green Mothers aren't technically in the Battle for Happiness, it has to be said that they would have faced miserable defeat when stacked against these fashion choices.
4. Acting: The cast, on the whole, offered commendable performances, though many left fleeting impressions.

Areas of Improvement:
Storyline: The plot's focus on not just the blingy USB but also its black counterpart – a crucial piece deliberately dropped from a 10th-floor balcony by bleeding Oh Yu Jin in hopes of Jang Mi Ho finding it – became a cumbersome subplot. Interspersed with almost comical close shaves, the relentless quest for the former felt unnecessarily stretched.

In summation, while "Battle for Happiness" parades an impressive cast, impeccable wardrobe (for most), consistent performances, and character-aligned set designs, it often requires the aid of the fast-forward button. It doesn't earn my recommendation.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama "Happiness Battle" is a melodrama about a woman who takes in her two nieces after her estranged sister is murdered, something that brings her face to face with some dark truths.

The drama starts out by presenting an intense battle between the mothers as they take up social media to either bring down each other or become celebrities and hide their unhappy lives under an image of perfection online. However, it soon forgets all about that and focuses on the main lead who discovers uncomfortable truths.

What the drama does well is dealing with women who try to get back on their feet, or break free from a miserable life. Their stories and character development were nicely handled and original.

The action scenes were, in addition, pretty entertaining and intense. However, the melodrama was boring after a while, and many cases were easily resolved.

Also, the main female lead didn't execute all her emotional scenes well, though the rest of the cast did a good job with their characters.

So, overall, five out of ten.

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Enjoyable who done it and why?

I have no idea why this has such a low rating on MDL, its a very good story that starts out with a death where the main FL tries to work who did it and why, within a backround of complicated interlinked relationships.
There are many twists and turns, it is well acted, has great production values and the script leaves to wanting to know more after every episode, I binged it in three days. I felt non of the episodes were fillers and each one added to the story.
The female charecters, even if they are perhaps flawed, each has a way of coping with their life, not always in a good way, but they are never appear passive victims. You may not like some of them but they are never boring, and you understand their choices.
The main ML and FL,s are great actors, so it makes it all believeable.
Some of the stories themes are unpleasent, so do not expect a fluffy watch, its like a modern Miss Marple, where through the FL we get to learn about the complex relationships and how lies can affect peoples lives long term,

If I had pick one hole, how on earth did she manage all that time to herself with children and a job, and the ending was nicely tied up, which is not like life, but its a drama.

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