The Penthouse: War in Life
The Penthouse: War in Life is a South Korean television series that premiered on SBS on October 26, 2020. The drama centers on the lives of wealthy residents living in Hera Palace, a luxury 100-floor apartment complex, and their intense competition regarding social status, education, and real estate.
Premise
The story follows three women from different backgrounds whose lives become intertwined through ambition and secrets. Shim Su-Ryeon (played by Lee Ji-Ah) is a wealthy woman known as the queen of the penthouse. Cheon Seo-Jin (played by Kim So-Yeon) is an arrogant woman born into a wealthy family, married to an ambitious chief surgeon. Oh Yoon-Hee (played by Eugene) comes from a humble background and strives to enter the upper class to ensure a better future for her children.
Production
The series was directed by Joo Dong-Min and written by Kim Sun-Ok. It aired on Monday and Tuesday nights at 22:00. The drama concluded its first season with 21 episodes on January 5, 2021. The series occupied the time slot previously held by Do You Like Brahms? and was followed by Joseon Exorcist.
During its broadcast, the schedule for the eighth episode was adjusted due to a soccer match between South Korea and Qatar, resulting in the episode airing on November 23, 2020, instead of the originally scheduled November 17, 2020.
Cast
The series features a large ensemble cast, including:
- Lee Ji-Ah as Shim Su-Ryeon
- Uhm Ki-Joon as Joo Dan-Tae
- Kim So-Yeon as Cheon Seo-Jin
- Yoon Jong-Hoon as Ha Yoon-Cheol
- Eugene as Oh Yoon-Hee
- Kim Hyun-Soo as Bae Ro-Na
Sequels
Following the success of the first season, the story continued in The Penthouse 2 and The Penthouse 3, both released in 2021.