The Penthouse: War in Life
The Penthouse: War in Life () is a South Korean television series starring Lee Ji-ah, Kim So-yeon, Eugene, Um Ki-joon, Yoon Jong-hoon, and Park Eun-seok. The series, directed by Joo Dong-min and written by Kim Soon-ok, spins the story of a real estate and education war, a desire to be number one. It depicts the solidarity and revenge of women who turned to evilness to protect themselves and their children. It premiered on SBS TV on October 26, 2020. At the end of the first season, the series with  5.354 million viewers is placed at 9th rank in the Top 50 Korean television series per nationwide viewers. The series achieved the number-one position in all-channel mini-series, 21 times in a row from its first broadcast on October 26, 2020, to the last episode on January 5, 2021. As of the ending of the second season on April 2, 2021, the series with 5.69 million viewers is placed at 8th rank in the Top 50 Korean television series per nationwide viewers. The series achieved the number-one position in all-channel mini-series, 13 times in a  row from its first broadcast on February 19, 2021, to the last episode on April 2, 2021. As of the ending of the third season on September 10, 2021, the series with 3.77 million viewers is placed at 18th rank in the Top 50 Korean television series per nationwide viewers. "The Penthouse" series, which swept up 2020 and 2021, was ranked the best and worst drama with 43 votes from 200 industry experts due to the ridiculous ending of Season 3 and criticized for its scattered storyline and inconsequential events. Synopsis. Season 1. "Penthouse" tells the story of wealthy families  living in Hera Palace and their children at Cheong-ah Arts School. Shim Su-ryeon (Lee Ji-ah) is an elegant, wealthy woman who has a tragic past. Her husband is Joo Dan-tae (Uhm Ki-joon), a successful businessman. She later learns that he is hiding a secret from her. Oh Yoon-hee (Eugene) comes from a humble family background. She has had bad blood with Cheon Seo-jin (Kim So-yeon), a famous soprano whose father is the head of Cheong-ah Arts School, since high school. They get involved in a love triangle relationship with Ha Yoon -cheol (Yoon Jong-hoon). All of them have grand ambitions and desires for their children and would do anything for them. However, their lives begin to crumble as a young mysterious girl named Min Seol-ah (Jo Soo-min) falls to her death during a party at Hera Palace. While the Hera Palace residents try to cover up the fact that she died on the premises, they cannot help but suspect each other for the murder. Season 2. "Penthouse 2" focuses on Shim Su-ryeon's secrets and the aftermath of her death, Oh Yoon-hee's revenge, Cheon  Seo-jin's downfall, and the Hera Palace kids who want to be the best and win the grand award at the Cheong-ah Arts Festival. After successfully framing Oh Yoon-hee for murder, Cheon Seo-jin and Joo Dan-tae decided to get married. Their engagement party is interrupted by Oh Yoon-hee and Ha Yoon-cheol, who have just come back from the United States. As the secrets unveil, the relationships among the people at Hera Palace are entangled, yet another mysterious figure appears and confronts them. Season 3. "Penthouse 3" focuses on the residents of Hera Palace  after their trials and their kids who prepare themselves to take the college entrance examination. Just when Shim Su-Ryeon, who faked her death in Season 1, thinks she can finally live happily, Logan Lee (Park Eun-seok) dies right before her eyes. Meanwhile, the Hera Palace residents get out of prison and attempt to get their lives back together. This starts the final lap of greed, corruption, justice and redemption. Production. Development. The production cost of this series is 32.7 billion won, 670 million won per episode (approximate). The series started its planning and preparation in September 2019. The  first season was extended by one episode to enable the series to end on a Tuesday. On November 24, 2020, the series was officially renewed for a second and third season of twelve episodes each. It was also announced that the final seasons would air on the Friday–Saturday time slot compared to the first season previously aired on Monday–Tuesday time slot. On July 22, 2021, it was announced that the third season was extended by two episode with the final episode of the series planned for September 10, 2021. Casting. Eugene was cast in one of the lead  roles, consequently returning to the small screen after a five-year hiatus. Casting for the series started in December 2019, and finalized in January 2020. Due to scheduling conflicts, Shin Sung-rok left the cast in February. Originally scheduled to take place in February 2020, the first script reading was pushed back to March due to COVID-19 pandemic. Um Ki-joon joined the cast in April. Filming. Filming was halted on November 24, 2020, as one of the supporting actors was tested positive for COVID-19. The next day, it was reported that Um Ki-joon, Park Eun-seok and Bong  Tae-gyu tested negative for COVID-19. Release. The prelude teaser was released by Seoul Broadcasting System on September 22, 2020. The teaser was termed as "[Mood teaser] a brilliant bloody prelude". The first season premiered on October 26, 2020, on SBS TV and aired every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 KST. The teaser for season two was released on January 12, 2021. The second season premiered on February 19, 2021, and aired every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 KST. The teaser for season three was released on May 27, 2021. The third season premiered on June 4, 2021, and aired  every Friday at 22:00 KST. According to the Good Data Corporation which measures drama popularity according to media trends, "The Penthouse: War in Life" topped the list with 27.82% surge in media mention in the second week of December. In the following week it led with a 35% surge in media mentions. In the last week of February 2021, "The Penthouse: War in Life" season 2 was placed first with 46.24% overall mention in media, as per Good Data Corporation. The "Penthouse" broadcaster SBS TV, aired a special episode on January 12, 2021, featuring the main cast. Broadcast in talk  show format, it was hosted by entertainers Shin Dong-yup and Jang Do-yeon, while MC Jae Jae talked with the six actors that played the teenage characters. Aired as "Penthouse Hidden Room - Hidden Story" the special recorded an average 9.3% nationwide audience share according to Nielsen for its two parts. The special also drew attention due to the trailer release for second season. The special episode for second season was aired on April 3, 2021, with the episode recording an average 8.1% nationwide audience sharing according to Nielsen for its two parts. Reception. Criticism. "The Penthouse" series, which swept  up 2020 and 2021, was ranked the worst with 43 votes from 200 industry experts due to the ridiculous ending of Season 3 and criticized for its scattered storyline and inconsequential events, placing it at number two on the list of 'worst drama' of the year.