In the first episode of Sweet Home season 3, the concluding chapter of Netflix’s big-budget monster series, Go Min-si’s Lee Eun-yu headbutts the “monsterised” Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang) in a desperate attempt to bring the normal Hyun-su back, even if only briefly. This moment may evoke a wistful sigh from viewers, as by this point, any hope of the show recovering from the missteps of season 2 has already vanished. Season 3 marks a new low for a series that has seen a clear downward trajectory, making it arguably the worst Korean drama of 2024.
The main issues plaguing this season are the unwieldy storyline, disappointing digital creature designs, and confusing world-building. The first season of Sweet Home successfully focused on a small group of characters within a single building, working towards survival. This narrative structure has proven effective in numerous films and series, including The Towering Inferno, The Raid, and the Korean series Happiness. However, season 2 expanded the cast and scattered the survivors into various factions, introducing a dizzying array of soldiers, civilians, mad scientists, and new monsters.
The shift from practical effects to digital monsters has also been detrimental. The earlier, tactile creature designs were memorable, but the digitally created monsters of seasons 2 and 3 are numerous and forgettable. The mythology of the series, once simple and engaging, has become convoluted and incoherent. Season 1’s premise of people transforming into monsters that reflect their fears or desires was clear and relatable. In contrast, season 2 introduced monsters with no consistent rules, capable of body-swapping and interacting with confusing inner worlds.
Season 3 continues to embrace these problematic elements. Since seasons 2 and 3 were filmed concurrently, it was impossible for the creators to address feedback from viewers. This season, however, lacks conviction, as though the creators were aware of the issues but pushed forward regardless. Characters from season 2 reappear, but their roles are unclear, adding little to the narrative. Even the core characters from season 1 have become unrecognizable, twisted into convoluted versions of their former selves.
Lee Jin-wook’s Pyeon Sang-wook transforms from a hero to a convoluted antagonist, while Lee Do-hyun’s character returns as a “neohuman,” an immortal but vacuous being. By the time Sweet Home season 3 mercifully concludes, viewers may feel drained and aimless, much like the neohumans depicted in the series. It’s a disappointing end to a once-promising show, leaving fans hoping that this will indeed be the final season.
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