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The Penthouse: War in Life korean drama review
Completed
The Penthouse: War in Life
0 people found this review helpful
by eatmelonn
Jan 12, 2021
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
I actually started this drama after the series ended. It was already creating a buzz on the internet during the broadcast period, even renewing for 2 more seasons. I entered the drama honestly with high expectations and objectively it did met most of the expectations I had for the show.

STORY
Story wise, this genre has been increasingly popular I guess? Focusing on higher ups in the society, and real estate + education corrupt systems in S.Korea. While such occurrences will not be relatable to none, it definitely has the effect of piquing one's curiosity into a life that we may never dream to occur. It revolves around a privileged estate made only for the top 1% of the richest in Korea. A murder occurs that changes the lives of our main characters and of course their kids. The premise begins with Seol-A who struggled to make end meets. To stay afloat, with her smart brains, she was engaged as the tutors for our Hera club kids (Eunbyeol, Joo Twins, Minhyuk & Jenny) to help them enter Chung A Institute, which is founded by one our main villian Seo Jin. The premise also showed the bad blood between Seo Jin & Yoon Hee, who's talented daughter, Rona dreams of entering Chung A. Well of course, things don't go well given her feud with SJ & her having no support. While the little Hera club kids pass their music tests with flying colors (thanks to bribery by their parents + rigging), SA came in first place, with RN being first on the waiting list to enter her dream school. Her fake identity being exposed & jealousy by her same aged friend drew her trouble & she was unfortunately bullied. It doesn't help that she happened to chance upon SJ & Joo Twins' Dad (Joo Dan Tae's) adultery which draws her more danger together with Yoon Hee's desperation for her daughter to enter Chung A. The only temporal warmth SA could enjoy was the kind Joo Twins' mother, Suryeon whom turns out to be her biological mother. However, all was late, and before SR could reunite with her, she witness her die, right in front of her eyes in Hera Palace. SA's death was however covered, by the Hera kid's parents, and the series finally opens to SR beginning her quest to uncover the culprit and to avenge SA's death. Along the way, we see the unjust in education systems, real estate businesses and how the kids are because of their parents. And along SR's lonely quests to fight against DT & SJ while trying to uncover the truth of her daughter's death, she uses YH but eventually came to care for her genuinely as a sister and aided her up the social ladder and her admittance into Hera Palace. Along the way also appears Logan Lee, an American-Korean businessman who harbors vengeance towards the Hera people due to the death of her adoptive sister (SA). However, with threats and greed, this show really make one ponder how far will you go for your ambitions ? Murder seems like an answer, for these rich people with barely gripping from remorse. Their kids have turned to little monsters, but most with traumas of their own. YH is the epitone of how one changes. The more you gain & the greedier you are. The more you have to lose, the greater the monsters inside you grows. The plots and twists of this show is definitely unpredictable. While there are some loopholes and questionable executions along the way, I was able to look pass it because of the suspense of the drama! While i did felt the first few episodes were abit dry (understandable since they introduced alot of characters etc) I felt the series did picked up at the back. The overall experience was enjoyable and it was a surprised to me that this was made by SBS. The series reminded me of Sky Castle + The World of the Married, of which both were under JTBC. I am curious what Season 2 & 3 has for us now!

Cast & Acting
The stars of these shows will definitely be imo SR, SJ & YH.

SR is always smart and ahead of DT's and SJ's evil tricks. She looks effortlessly elegant and composed eventhough she is putting up a fake front in front of the Hera people. I found it especially thriling when she started revealing her cards one by one and tripping over the villians & having them go nuts + begging for her forgiveness. I totally love her scenes with Logan? And how her English is so flawless. She may have died at the end of S1, I am not sure if the writer can miraculously revive her in S2? I really hope so because there are still many unanswered questions about her death and the identity of the Joo twins real mother?

SJ is of course one of the main villianess in this show. Her acting was so good that you really can't help but hate her character! A point i felt bad was, she really craved for love. The stress from being from a prestigious family means stress for her to Excel. Her inferiority complex led to the growth of demons in her, injuring YH, snatching YH's boyfriend whom she doesn't love, leading her to an unhappy marriage. That then leads to adultery & conflicts in her marriage life and misery for her daughter, Eunbyeol whom she bears super high expectations. It's no wonder EB turned out the way she was at the end... her greed for the CA Foundation also led her to indirectly kill her Dad... but i got to say her acting was superb for the scenes when her Dad died. I almost got goosebump from her. Ultimately, it was a pity because she didn't had someone whom cherish her (sorry DT isn't your true love too honey)

YH and her daughter was honestly 2 of my most hated characters in this show (actually you will come to hate most of the characters LOL). They were annoying (esp RN) and ungrateful ! While ok SR used her, i believe she could felt the sincerity in their friendship. She can't deny the fact that SR helped her lived a life she could never have with her own abilities. It's unfortunate that she turned out to be SA's killer afterall, but that was where it went even worst. Her desperate attempts to cover her crimes led her to betraying SR and even joining forces with DT. Wth man seriously. Of course smart SR had figured out all along, but she still ernestly waited for YH to repent, but she didn't made it in the end. Alas, YH was framed and becomes the main suspect of SR's death. I am unsure if she died at the end of S1? But if she survives, she needs to avenge for SR and repay for her sins!

All in all, i think is a show worth the buzz. The acting were seriously splendid. I am not sure what will be covered in the next 2 seasons, but I really hope SR remains alive! This genre is not for the weak heartedly. Be prepared for plot twists and suspense! Season 2 releases next month, so please watch if you have not :)
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