Review | Netflix K-drama review: Sweet Home season 2 – Song Kang leads overblown follow-up to hit monster series that forgets what seduced us in the first place

The second season of the Netflix K-drama, Sweet Home, has unfortunately not lived up to the high standards set by its predecessor. The first season, which debuted three years ago, was a global hit, captivating audiences with its thrilling narrative and memorable characters. However, the second season seems to have lost sight of what made the original so successful. The narrative has become convoluted, and the introduction of numerous new characters has diluted the impact of the original cast.

The second season picks up directly from the events of the first, with protagonist Cha Hyun-su being transported to an army base for experimentation. However, with the assistance of Pyeon Sang-wook, he manages to escape. Meanwhile, the other survivors from the first season are taken to a refugee camp where they encounter trigger-happy soldiers. They are eventually rescued by a conscientious soldier, Park Chan-young, and relocated to a new camp at a baseball stadium. The narrative also introduces new characters, including the members of the Crow Platoon and a pregnant woman, Seo Yi-kyung, who is searching for her fiancé.

One of the key strengths of the first season was its confined setting, which heightened the tension and drama. However, the second season has abandoned this approach, opting for a more expansive setting that has unfortunately resulted in a loss of narrative focus. The show's attempts to delve deeper into its mythology have only served to confuse viewers, and the overuse of digital effects in action scenes has detracted from their impact. Despite these shortcomings, fans of the first season may still find the second season worth watching.