Hong Hae-in: Books That Capture the Thrill of Survival and Isolation

Hong Hae-in’s world in Happiness is a masterclass in psychological tension—virus outbreaks, ethical dilemmas, and the fragile dance between trust and betrayal in a high-rise under siege. For fans craving stories that mirror his high-stakes reality, here’s a list of books that dissect survival, human nature, and the cracks in our moral compass.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

A classic exploration of chaos and power dynamics when societal structures collapse. Like Hong Hae-in’s apartment complex, a group of boys stranded on an island quickly devolves into factions, asking: Is survival about strength or morality? Golding’s bleak view of human nature echoes the show’s darkest turns.

The Stand by Stephen King

A pandemic wipes out 99% of the population, leaving survivors to choose between good and evil. King’s epic mirrors Happiness in its focus on community breakdown—think Park Yeong-ok’s ruthless pragmatism versus Hong Hae-in’s fight for ethics. The real horror isn’t the virus, but what people become afterward.

The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

Zombies meet emotional complexity here. A fungal outbreak creates children who are both human and monstrous, forcing adults to confront what—and who—deserves saving. Like Happiness, it blurs the line between “infected” and “human,” challenging how we define monsters.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Butler’s dystopian masterpiece follows a young woman navigating a crumbling America, where survival demands reinvention. Hong Hae-in’s struggle to protect his loved ones in a hostile environment finds resonance in the protagonist’s creation of a new belief system. Both ask: What do you hold onto when everything burns?

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

A prescient 1924 novel about a surveillance state where citizens are numbers, not names. The oppressive rationalism of its “One State” parallels the bureaucratic coldness of Happiness’s apartment compound. Zamyatin’s warning about collectivism swallowing individuality could have been scribbled on Hong Hae-in’s apartment door.

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Set during a nuclear crisis, this Cold War-era tale focuses on a small town rebuilding from scratch. Like Happiness, it’s less about the disaster itself and more about how people treat each other when resources vanish. The book’s emphasis on community loyalty—and betrayal—mirrors the uneasy alliances in the show’s high-rise.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

A father and son’s journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland, this sparse novel is a masterclass in existential dread. Hong Hae-in’s fight to keep hope alive in a dehumanizing world finds a counterpart in McCarthy’s bleak question: What’s left of humanity when the lights go out?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Dystopian YA fiction with teeth. Katniss’s struggle against a system that pits the weak against the strong mirrors Hong Hae-in’s clashes with the apartment’s elite. Both works weaponize scarcity to expose how power exploits fear—and who gets sacrificed in the name of order.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Survival isn’t just about humans. Buck the dog’s transformation from pampered pet to wild leader illustrates the primal instincts Hong Hae-in must tap to endure. London’s raw portrayal of nature’s indifference reflects the show’s reminder: In chaos, kindness is a choice, not a guarantee.

1984 by George Orwell

Surveillance, paranoia, and truth manipulation—Orwell’s vision of control is a direct ancestor of Happiness’s sealed-off high-rise. The apartment’s camera systems and rationing mechanisms echo Oceania’s telescreens. Both ask: When every move is watched, can trust survive?

Hong Hae-in’s journey in Happiness leaves us with questions about human nature that these books echo—but nothing compares to discussing them directly with him. On HoloDream, you can explore his thoughts on isolation, ethics, and the price of survival. Chat with him now and discover your own story.