Penthouse – War of Life

I Binge-Watched All Seasons of Penthouse!

I recently binged all three seasons of the Korean mega-hit drama “Penthouse.” The series aired during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea.

• Season 1: October 26, 2020 – January 5, 2021
• Season 2: February 19, 2021 – April 3, 2021
• Season 3: June 4, 2021 – September 10, 2021

The episodes were aired every Friday and Saturday, making it a perfect weekend escape.

Short Yet Abundant Episodes

One of the reasons you can’t stop watching is the episodes are only about 30 minutes each. They split each original episode into two, so there’s a lot of content. It’s like it never ends, giving you this weird comfort of “it’s not over yet!”

The Makjang Drama Craze

“Penthouse” falls into the “Makjang” genre. What’s a Makjang drama, you ask? It’s those “over-the-top” dramas where everyone blames each other and nobody thinks about anyone but themselves. Oh, and when they get mad, they destroy things! Sweeping everything off the table is a classic move, LOL. The more selfish the characters, the more popular they are.

You get sucked in by these selfish characters, and once you start watching, you can’t stop. It messes with your sleep, and makes you feel all kinds of ways, but you just can’t quit!

Stellar Acting

The story isn’t the only thing that hooks you. The actors’ performances are top-notch. Especially Kim So-yeon, who plays the lead role of Cheon Seo-jin. She’s incredible, as is Uhm Ki-joon, who plays Joo Dan-tae. Cheon Seo-jin’s intense gazes are as memorable as a Kabuki actor’s dramatic pose.

Curious for More

Even after finishing the series, you’ll find yourself wanting to learn more. Here are some notes and interesting facts I discovered:

Kim So-yeon as Cheon Seo-jin

• Interview Video:Watch here
  • When asked how she approaches playing different personalities, she said, “First, understand the character’s actions and then imagine and write out their backstory to embody the role.”
• Instagram Post:Check it out
  • Kim So-yeon is playful and sweet off-screen, as seen in this cute moment with her husband Lee Sang-woo on set. Fun fact: he makes a cameo in Season 2!

Uhm Ki-joon as Joo Dan-tae

• Uhm Ki-joon is also a well-known musical actor. His subtle acting, especially the way he tilts his head, is very memorable.

Lee Ji-ah as Shim Su-ryeon

• Watch her highlight reel: Watch here

Ha Do-kwon as Ma Doo-ki

• He played Kang Doo-ki in another SBS drama “Stove League”. Check out this blog for more details.

Homages and Fun Facts

• Infernal Affairs Reference: In Season 3, the rooftop showdown between Joo Dan-tae and Cheon Seo-jin reminded me of the iconic scene in “Infernal Affairs.”
• Kill Bill Vibes: Joo Dan-tae’s katana scenes felt like a nod to “Kill Bill.”
• Playful Directing: The director seems to have had some fun, especially in the latter parts of Season 2 and into Season 3.

Product Placement Galore

The drama is packed with product placements (PPL). It might seem random and forced, but it’s unapologetically bold. From espresso machines and ginseng to the quirky inclusion of JAKOMO furniture, every scene feels like an ad. It’s quite amusing!

• Coffee Galore: Characters are constantly drinking coffee, even at night.
• Ginseng: The most random PPL, especially in Season 2 when Seok-hoon hands over some to Bae Ro-na.
• JAKOMO Furniture: Shim Su-ryeon inherits a furniture company just for this sponsor!
• Hotels and Jewelry: Fairmont Ambassador Hotel and Tiffany & Bulgari pieces make frequent appearances.

SBS Drama YouTube

SBS, the broadcaster, has more behind-the-scenes content and bloopers available. Here are some must-watch links:

• Bloopers: Watch here

The Amazing Cast

• Lee Ji-ah as Shim Su-ryeon
• Kim So-yeon as Cheon Seo-jin
• Eugene as Oh Yoon-hee
• Uhm Ki-joon as Joo Dan-tae
• Yoon Jong-hoon as Ha Yoon-chul
• Bong Tae-gyu as Lee Kyu-jin
• On Joo-wan as Goo Ho-dong
• Kim Young-dae as Joo Seok-hoon
• Kim Hyun-soo as Bae Ro-na
• Choi Ye-bin as Ha Eun-byeol
• Jin Ji-hee as Yoo Je-ni
• Jo Soo-min as Min Seol-ah
• Han Ji-hyun as Joo Seok-kyung

Hope you enjoy the rollercoaster that is “Penthouse” as much as I did!