The Mystery Behind Sweet Home's Monsters
Exploring the unique aspects of the monster outbreak in Sweet Home and the origins of the curse.
The Unique Monster Outbreak
The Ultimate Monster Encyclopedia | Sweet Home Season 2 | Netflix [ENG SUB]
What causes people to turn into monsters in Sweet Home is one of the most unique aspects of the show and sets it apart from other zombie outbreak stories.
Song Kang as Cha Hyun-soo in Sweet Home
Based on a webtoon of the same name, Netflix’s Sweet Home season 1 was relatively faithful to the source material, including how the monster break started and what caused it.
Song Kang as Cha Hyun-su and Lee Do-hyun as Lee Eun-hyuk in Sweet Home
Some of the best Netflix Korean TV shows are from the horror genre, including series like Sweet Home and All of Us Are Dead. Whereas All of Us Are Dead goes for a more classic take on what can cause a zombie apocalypse, Sweet Home combines the scientific aspect with a more spiritual approach.
Song Kang as Cha Hyun-soo transforming into a monster in Sweet Home
Neither the characters nor the audience knew what caused the outbreak at the beginning of Sweet Home season 1. The woman who knocked on Hyun-su in episode 1 was one of the first residents of the Green Home to transform, but it is difficult to say who was patient zero.
Song Kang as Cha Hyun-soo being attacked by the Eyeball Monster in Sweet Home
Considering how close to a zombie story Sweet Home is, it is easy to assume that the monsterization outbreak was caused by a virus or any other biological agent. Although the characters consider this possibility, it is later revealed that people are transforming into monsters naturally as part of a curse.
The Blind Monster in Sweet Home
Despite the metaphysical aspect of Sweet Home’s monsters, which work as an allegory for human’s worst traits, there are some classic zombie tropes associated with it. For example, if a person is scratched or bitten by a monster, they will most likely turn into one as well.
Hyun-su talking to Eun-yu at the hospital in Sweet Home season 2, episode 8
The Monsterfication Process
The monsters are morphing into bigger, badder monsters | Sweet Home 2 Ep 7 | Netflix [ENG SUB]
Similar to many zombie stories, Sweet Home’s monsterfication process begins with a couple of symptoms that reveal a person is infected. The first and most telling of them is nose bleeding, which usually reveals right away whether a person is infected.
Yi-kyung’s daughter, Eun-yu, Chan-yeong, and Hyun-Su at the hospital in Sweet Home season 2, episode 8
Most transformations are associated with rage. Those who managed not to become a fully-transformed monsters are the ones who controlled their rage and worst instincts, thus preventing their soul from taking over their body.
Song Kang as Cha Hyun-su looking angry in Sweet Home season 2, episode 3
The "special infectees," who are now referred to as "neo-humans" following the events of season 2, are people who got infected but somehow managed to control the monsterfication.
A custom image featuring Lee Jin-wook in Sweet Home season 2
Different Types Of Monsters & Neo-Humans
There are dozens of different types of monsters in Sweet Home, each of whom has a gimmick or a special ability. The most important type of monster in Sweet Home is the one where the transformation does not fully happen. The "special infectees," who are now referred to as "neo-humans" following the events of season 2, are people who got infected but somehow managed to control the monsterfication.
Eun-hyuk emerging from the wreckages of the Green Home at the end of Sweet Home season 2, episode 8
Sweet Home season 2 confirmed that the monsters are still evolving, namely with the reveal of creatures who entered a cocoon stage. Some monsters are also evolving into stronger creatures, as discovered by Dr. Lim in season 2, episode 8.
The Starving Monster in human form in Sweet Home
