The Penthouse Season 2: War in Life (2021)

The WOMEN in this show are IMPECCABLE !!!

Okay so I’ll try to write this with little to no spoilers but I must say, Penthouse is an absolute masterpiece. It’s a show that teaches us that no one is inherently good or bad, we all have our faults somewhere but the second we’re put in someone else’s shoes or in a minor predicament we switch up.

The women in Penthouse really drove this whole show. It’s weird because I strongly dislike Cheon Seo Jin but seeing her work with Oh Yoon Hee and Shim Su Ryeon to take down Joo Dan Tae gave me so much satisfaction throughout omg !!!

The thing about penthouse is that even though it’s so predictable - at the same time it’s so unpredictable too - we don’t know what we’re going to get exactly and they always have us at our edge of our seats coming back for more each week. I’m so happy that I discovered this show, the only downfall now is that my standard for other shows will always be comparing them to this one and I can guarantee there will be no other like this show.

Season 2 ended off on a cliff hanger as we all suspected - I cannot even comprehend what the writers have planned for season 3 because the ending of Season 2 was so satisfying already !!! Anyways if you’re thinking of watching this show, DO IT !!! Do not hold back just watch it !!! Your blood will boil but you will also always be satisfied somehow.

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Writing wasn't as strong as S1, but this season we still full of surprises. This time all the sins of the people at Hera Palace came back full circle and no one was spared.
For one, SSR was not dead and was impersonating NAG to stay alive so she could complete her revenge plan of bringing JDT down. While some people found it annoying that she was killed off only to be brought back to life, I was relieved that SSR was still alive. She was one of the only few characters I had respect for and could root for.
Logan Lee was ok this time around. He wasn't nearly as strong as he was in S1 but still good. He kinda got weird towards the end tho. It feels like his feelings for SSR came out of nowhere. I prefer them as revenge partners, not lovers.
HSJ has had zero character development. It's like she hits rock bottom, or further rock bottom, then she gets on her knees and begs for help, but as soon as she gets dealt a damning card she abandons the act and goes back to her old ways. Maybe the cycle will break in S3. As for her relationship with HEB and her husband, things aren't good at all. HEB hates her and she only wants her husband back when things are going south for her. It's clear atp she never actually loved her ex. She only married him because she wanted to make OYH miserable. Also stealing HYC away would subside her insecurities for a bit, that is until she found out that HYC never got over OYH. But perhaps she always knew HYC never really loved her. She probably thought she won in the end because she was the one with the ring.
OYH was just meh this season. I wanted to root for her but after a certain point she just got on my nerves. I get that shes grieving because she thought her daughter was dead, but to just kill yourself before the revenge plan was completed? She lost her mind for a good few episodes. One she found out Rona was alive she somewhat came back to her senses. It is still a mystery as to whether or not OYH actually killed MSA bit given the way things played out I don't think she did that. I strongly believe JDT was behind that death but we'll have to see in S3.
HYC was so likable in S1 but this season made me lose my respect for him. He betrayed OYH so many times it's not even funny. But what sets him apart from the others at HP is that he is the only one besides OYH that is self aware and has somewhat shown remorse for his actions over the course of the show. When he confessed in the courtroom I almost gained my respect back for him but he's going to need a bigger arc than that for me to completely forgive him for his treachery. However with the biggest conflict (regarding the penthouse residents getting what they deserve) solved, how much longer will this show run? 9/10.

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Plot Twists and Plot Armor

The second season of The Penthouse undeniably lived up to expectations, maintaining consistency in its essence. The mysteries persist, keeping us on our toes with unexpected twists and turns. This season offered a bit of everything—suspense, drama, and surprises. I found myself on the edge of my seat, particularly concerned about the fate of my favorite character. Miraculously, she was granted plot armor, surviving a stab in the head—an occurrence few could endure.

What stands out in this season is the collaboration against a common enemy. Although alliances crumbled towards the end, with betrayals aplenty, it added a layer of complexity to the narrative. Understanding the irredeemable nature of Cheon Seo Jin's character, the betrayals seemed almost inevitable. Now, I am eagerly anticipating the third season, eager to see how the story unfolds further.

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The only thing that made this a little better compared to the first season is that, the ending that I wanted from season 1 was executed here (which is giving punishment to those who deserve it). The justice that I was looking for was here. However, it's still repetitive, the bullying, murders, and the characters that stayed the same without any development at all. The only sane character we have here is Shim Suryeon, and I must say, she's the only one I like. Everyone else was inconsistent. I also did not like how it ended with yet, another murder of an important character. The story doesn't have much left to it. As I've said in my review for the first season, the story loses its charm while they keep on dragging it. One thing I really like here was the verdict to all Hera Place people who disposed Seol Min Ah's body. Also, I have to mention I like Logan and Suryeon together, they looked good and a breath of fresh air amidst this stress filled drama. And oh, I also liked how the female mains were able to gather together and take down Joo Dan Tae on his feet, it was so satisfying. Overall, it was an okay second season but I just wish they put it in a single season rather than cutting it into three just to give us nothing. I might check the third season as soon as all episodes are out or if my blood pressure allows me lmao.

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Better than first season

I always believed the opinion that the first season is always the best- not anymore. With this season I started liking more characters, having different opinions on some characters as well as hating some characters even more. I got spoiled about some stuff but that didn't affect my feeling any different about this drama. It took me 3 days to watch this drama and I don't regret it. I feel sorry for Ha Yung Cheol, he deserved better. Because even tho he did some bad stuff in the past he became a good person, he tried to protect Eun Byeol but became a bad guy because of her. And right now excuse me but I need to finish Penthouse 3.

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At first I was hesitant about watching the second season since they tend to get worse than the first ones. But I could not have been mistaken more! This drama totally lived up to my expectations and even surpassed most of them in some ways. It was darker, more thrilling and more epic than the first season yet it was not something totally crazy. It was able to keep me on edge of my seat multiple times with the cliffhangers and witty comebacks.

I enjoyed so much watching all the residents of Hera Palace fight for the money, status, and most importantly power. I liked how we got to know the deeper backstories of some of the characters and how all of them were multidimensional and not just black or white, evil or good.

Overall The Penthouse deserves all the hype that it was getting and it definitely deserves all these high ratings as well. I highly recommend this drama!

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Second is most definitely the best!

I was a bit skeptical while watching season 1; I didn't think the writers could pull off more than one season of the show, but I was proven wrong! Penthouse is an intense drama filled with corrupt people doing corrupt and horrid things all in hopes to gain fame, money, and popularity. The members of the penthouse were willing to do anything to gain these things. For me, I prefer the 2nd season over the 1st one as it was much more exciting for me to watch and I always found myself itching to watch the next episode even though it wasn't out yet. I can't pinpoint if it was because this season was a bit shorter than the first, or if it was just written better, but I can surely go on and on about how much I enjoyed Penthouse: War in Life Season 2.

Story:
Honestly, the story was never boring. With every episode came chaos and I think the writers did a fantastic job at throwing in the twists and turns all throughout the show. The writers left me on the edge of my seat through the entirety of the drama. The plot took a different direction than I had guessed from the first season, and it was unpredictable throughout most of the episodes. I was left in shock so many times while watching this season. Season 2 was just brilliant!

Characters:
I praised the characters and acting in my previous review of season one, and I will continue to praise that here as well. The characters were brilliantly made, and right off the bat in season one, you could quickly tell who you liked and who you hated. However, throughout the show and carrying on into season 2 those same characters you would claim to hate with all your heart start seeping into your blood and you being liking them for various reasons. The development of the characters is also something that I would like to praise. For example, Jenny's mother who at first also hated Yoon Hee, but later discovered that her child was being tormented by the penthouse kids such as Ro Na and Seoul A were and she turned her back to them for the most part. I also loved the fact that Yoon Hee was so determined to bring justice for her daughter and for all the evil things the people at the penthouse did and still punished herself for Seol A's death afterward. I didn't really like Yoon Hee, but her courage and willingness to face the punishment for her crime were nice.

Acting:
By far this drama has the perfect lineup of actors and actresses! They did such an amazing job at portraying their characters and the emotions that came with them and it was so amazing to watch! I truly can't picture a different cast for this drama, it simply would not be the same! They did a splendid job with this drama, and I truly treasure this cast and their brilliant acting! I will for sure be checking out some more of their individual works!

ETC:
The only other thing I would like to go over in my review is the few OST's we were given. In Penthouse, both seasons, I've yet to find one OST I didn't like. The music was beautifully selected for this drama! I just wish there was a bit more showing of them!

Final Thoughts:
Overall this drama was exciting to watch and always kept me on my toes! I absolutely loved season two!

All that being said, I can't wait to see what season three brings (although I'm not sure as to how they will extend the story more other than from what happened in the last episode of season 2.) I can't wait to rejoin with this hectic yet masterpiece of a dram! Overall, this season was fantastic! If you've watched and liked season 1 (or if you're a bit iffy on season 1) I totally recommend pushing through and watching season 2! You will NOT regret it!

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FRICK! when I say I managed to cry every single episode I really mean it.... You cannot tell me you weren't emotionally shocked by all the plot twists and the content in each episode. I mean like each episode had so many details and would take a different direction. In general 2 was better than 1, I think. This is why I think so:

SEOK HOON AND RONA
I think I live and die for this couple. They definitely had cuter and more moments, which is one of the main reasons I liked 2 more. I will say I definitely cried very hard when he found out she was alive and went to go see her T_T. But also like WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO EAT THE GODDAMN PASTA.... jeez

JENNY BECAME A HOMIE
There was some serious character development in Jenny that I absolutely loved. I didn't really like her before because she seemed like she didn't really have her own opinion and that she just went with what everyone else did. She then strayed away from the Hera palace kids and became Rona's friend. I didn't like that she didn't understand/got mad at Rona for what her mom did and that it was her fault that her mom was in prison. Even so, if she didn't react that way it would seem "weird" since she's so close with her mom. Speaking of her mom, their cute relationship got deeper from Ma Ri's job getting exposed and I felt a stronger connection between the two.

seok kyung
I always really liked the twins, but seok kyung changed a lot in this season. I think she voiced out her opinions even more and expressed what she wanted to. We also got to see a softer and more emotional side of her when she met up with her mom again. The end was really cute when she helped Rona unpack her things and when she stood up for her against Min Hyuk and Jenny. Also apparently she cut her hair because no one (her mom) was there to tie it for her..... that made me sad every time I saw her. Seok Kyung also played a more important role. In season 1 it was obvious that among the twins Seok Hoon had a bigger role. But in season 2 she used her own ways to play around with Cheon Seo Jin and collected her own information.

DR.HA
he is one of my favourite characters. I ached for him because his life got so much more difficult in season 2. Like someone help this man he needs a therapist or smth. The only thing I'm confused of is when/how did he survive when Dan Tae threw him into the water... like WTF. But his and Yoon Hee's dramatic entrance at the wedding will forever be iconic. I'm so happy he chose right in the end. AND SINCE WHEN WAS HE RONA'S DAD.

there's so many other things that make the penthouse superior like the music, acting, casting, guests, I could go on forever but I ain't gonna be here typing all day so that's all I'll write. I can't wait for season 3 someone get me another tissue box.

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Good Enough

Second Season of the Korean Drama " The Penthouse: War in Life " walks closely to where the first season left things, keeping up with all the factors that made the first one a hit. Frustration is there, feeling for revenge are there, every character goes through major transformations and the whole thing is satisfying and exaggerated.

The performances, moreover, were all great from every actor and actress of the cast. The side characters did a great job as well.

Finally, the pace is fast and keeps things on edge, the mystery is intriguing and this season keeps the interest high till the very final episode.

So, overall, eight out of ten.

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