Penthouse (2020)

Very difficult to watch and not lose patience!

Is it enjoyable? Sure, it's a rollercoaster ride. But it's filled with an incredibly ridiculous amount of contrivances in order to keep everyone in their place and not get their come uppance.

This isn't a new thing in Kdramas of course, nor indeed shows from other countries. But this series in particular feels like they just make it up as they go along. The amount of "just happened to be at the right place at the right time" scenes are nuts.

They have a trick of showing you one thing, but have actually written it a completely different way, so if you are someone who likes to figure out where things are headed, don't bother!

It sounds like I didn't enjoy it. I did, particularly a couple of the female leads. But I must admit that I got sick of the impossible situations that you wouldn't figure out for yourself in a million years. It takes a lot of patience and suspension of disbelief to follow this show, so definitely isn't for everyone.

Citeste mai mult

It's hard to write everything I'm feeling rn

Before watching this, I had read some reviews on how similar it was to Sky Castle (which I haven't yet finished), yet I didn't expect the similarities were so glaring, especially in the first episode.

~Plot~
The plot is an "okay" plot, it doesn't keep you captivated as long as it should. At first, I was watching to see who killed Min Seol A, and the bad guys get punished, but my interest to know who the murderer was, slowly died down, then I cared more about the infidelity case, Soo Ryun revenge, the identity of Logan Lee, but still I lost interest. It felts like so many unnecessary scenes, and events were added up to increase the episodes run.

~Characters~
The characters in penthouse are not meant to look as good people, the drama doesn't aim for that, they show the reality (sometimes exaggerated) of life. Even the two characters, that are supposed to be the "good" people in this show are hard to like, e.g Ro Na, and her mother, the only difference between Ro Na, and the other rich kids were their social background, she was very ungrateful to her mother who was willing to give up even her life for her, and Oh Yoon Hee was annoyingly naive she, has been betrayed twice, gone through so much yet she didn't mature a bit, both of them treat their problems with violence. Then there's Seo Jin, who only cares for her power, and little for family, I feel pity for her poor daughter who tried to please her, both are wrong but still.. Joo Dan Tae was just poor evil, and controlling. There are some comedy relief characters that I liked though, like Kang Ma Ri, Lee Gyu Jin, yes they are bad but they gave me a good laugh even though they were just puppets in the game of power. The actors tried their best, (a shout out) to the younger cast who really stole the show, and the actors and actresses of Logan Lee and Soo Ryun!!

I rarely listened to the OST, because I always hurriedly skipped to the next episode, but the times I did, it was okay.

Rewatch value: 5.5. I don't recommend this to people who easily get angry or annoyed though, and the rewatch value is only for special scenes that I saw the actors/actresses really outdid themselves, but rewatching the whole drama from the beginning..no thanks.

Citeste mai mult

This show is completely bonkers, and very stressful to watch, and it’s quite good!
I think having this dramatic AF show revolve around a murder mystery worked well, and the pacing of finding out what happened that night was really well done. The various reveals are all interesting and nothing feels like it completely came out of nowhere. The writers definitely set out with a clear picture in mind with who did what that night and weren’t just making it up as they went along. There are a lot of plot twists and even as they’re often absurd it works within the context of the show. They also have good plots aside from the murder mystery, especially the revenge plot. Tbh most of the characters are absolutely the worst, but that’s kind of the point. This is a show about terrible people doing terrible things. You’ve got about 3-4 “good” characters you’re rooting for, and there is payoff where they win little victories. But it’s a constant battle. These characters are filthy rich and they’re terrible, and all the crazy stuff that happens fits in that framework. There is so much happening all the time, that even recapping an episode would take considerable time. I do think the show is written really well! All of it does get a bit crazy and you do have to suspend your disbelief, but you basically have to do that to watch this show in the first place. It’s a good show if you like drama, revenge/underdog stories, and really pretty sets and costumes. The 21 episodes flew by, and I’m looking forward to even more emotional anguish in season 2!

Citeste mai mult

Just wow

The Penthouse is seriously one of the best dramas I ever watched.
(I watched it last year, but really wanted to write a review so here it is!)
New k-dramas aren’t appealing for me like they were before, but still, I would die for makjang dramas. This one has so many things in it, plottwists, complicated characters and of course a very interesting story to tell.

You will probably hate 90% of the characters and want to jump into the drama, just to fight with them. Still, the characters will definitely not be a reason to drop the drama, cause they’re really interesting, you will automatically want to know what actually happened and will happen to them.

The story has many little stories in it and some plottwists which are really not predictable. Many dramas have this predictable plottwists which are all the same, but this one really shocked me sometimes. (I also finished watching season 2 and there it is the same, I’m so excited for season 3 hehe)

The OSTs are perfect for this drama. The plot also revolves around opera, so the over-dramatic classical music really fits in. Also liked the opera singers and songs.

My overall review for this drama would be to say that you should watch this drama asap if you didn’t do it yet. If you’re searching for suspense, drama, revenge, hatred and a little bit of family life and romance, this one is for you.(:

Citeste mai mult

trionfo della dell'ingiustizia.

ho intitolato così questa recensione perché in ventun ore di durata, questa storia mostra in ogni minuto o cattive intenzioni, o emozioni tossiche, rapporti di opportunismo, classismo, invidie, tradimenti, bullismo. In un ambiente dorato fatto di lusso e grandi ricchezze, eleganza degli ambienti e bellezza dell'aspetto esteriore e vestiario, si muovono personaggi che mostrano il peggio dell'essere umano nei rapporti interpersonali. Siamo alla fiera dei bassi profili morali. In mezzo all'arte nobile della musica e del bel canto , si muovono personaggi dall'animo deturpato. La facciata è bella, la sostanza è scabrosa. Non mi è piaciuta questa storia , per niente; mi ha rattristato l'anima quasi in ogni momento della sua evoluzione. Ho voluto andare fino in fondo sperando in un epilogo per lo meno di giustizia e invece la cattiveria ha perdurato fino all'ultimo.
Non capisco come abbia potuto raggiungere un punteggio così alto questa sfilza di brutture di sentimenti umani. Forse il punteggio alto è dovuto alla interpretazione degli attori che , come sempre, ho trovato eccelsi fra quelli coreani.

Citeste mai mult

A trama é boa e envolvente

A história me prendeu, adoro a atuação da Lee Ji Ah, mas o que houve com o final? Achei um pouco frustrante, ainda que tem outra temporada pra concertar... tenho altas espectativas para a próxima temporada.

Citeste mai mult

Full of Plot twist

One phrase to describe the drama - Full of Plot twist. If you love thinking what will happen and how a certain event comes off, you should not miss this show. If you're a person that have a hard time of forgiving logic lapses, this drama is not for you. The character that I like the most is Cheon Seo Jin played by Kim So-yeon. With her epic facial expression and agressive image, no doubt that she bagged best actress from Baeksang. From being a cold hearted agent in Iris(2009) trapped in a one sided love(which I really root for) to a furious other woman in Penthouse absolutely show how versatile actress she is. Overall, with the drama's projection of the plot and theme "War in Life", this suspense drama will have you at the edge of your seat.

Citeste mai mult

The worst things parents can do to protect their children

Likes
1. The over the top craziness was fun, loved that the story was predictable yet unpredictable. Some of the scenes are sickening, some makes you want to throw things to your TV, and others just make your blood boil.
2. Loved the tandem of Dantae and Seojin. I'm sure they'll continue to wreak havoc until S3.
3. Everyone is so bad that they're so good.
4.Suryeon is the "good guy" but for me she is the worst. Just goes to show "Revenge is never the answer".
5. Likewise Yoonhee is pitiful but she can only blame herself for always choosing the wrong side and making poor decisions.
6. The kids were such bullies but I can only blame their parents for not raising them right. Parents think that by always defending them even if they're wrong and covering up their mistakes are about "protecting" their children, but that's just making their children weak and not able to stand up for themselves, and not learning the difference between right and wrong. And just teaching them to be awful people.

Dislikes
Not much. I adjusted my viewing lens so that i expected the worst in every single character and that became the reason i loved and continued watching the show.

Rating: 9/10

Hoping there will be new characters in season 2 so that the story will remain fresh and fun (and intense!)

Citeste mai mult

This drama definitely should be on your watch list!!!
All the acting here is really good, the cast take you to a journey and you will feel like you are at Hera Palace ?

The drama can be Heavy and emotionally draining but it's a must watch.

Story: 10/10- this is because it is fresh and the writer doesn't long things out and gets straight to the point.

Acting: 10/10 - the cast done a good job portraying their characters. They will make you feel sorry for them, hate them despise them and like them again. The acting is sometimes OTT but that the just the character and how they are suppose to be which is different and fresh.

Music: 8/10- there is not many OSTs but I like the music background. It is just right and dramatic

Rewatch Value: 8/10: I would rewatch this but it will just make me upset. Best to rewatch when you want to feel sad and angry haha

Will recommend this drama

Citeste mai mult

Drama with full complicated problem

Penthouse is one of dramas with full of intrict. I love watching each episode since it gives me challange to controll my anger.
All the characters in this drama show how complicated problem faced by parents to raise children especially in almost Asian countries. As Asian, I consider that how parents have important role in appointing their children's future. Parents usually have authority in choosing what their children should be. This drama shows exactly how high social family manages their children's education and their ambition to their children.
From episode 1 until 21, I can't stop feeling curious with surprising even in each scene. The plot has consistently full of surprise. The acting of roles really blends with each characters. They show their ego, selfishness, ambition clearly. I could feel really full of hatred to Seo Jin and Dae Tae, however, I could also take a pity to Yoon Hye. In the middle of this drama, I can see clearly that each character shows the true color of the ambition. I love the plot!
One thing that made me wonder is how can Lagon be described as a very lovely man to his adoptive sister Min Soel. At the first scene, she was deported from America because she comitted as criminal. At this scene, Logan Lee seems not doing anything. It was not described much about how finally Logam found her sister was innocent.
But, I still think that this drama is highly recommended drama. Can't wait for Penthouse 2.

Citeste mai mult

ITS AMAZING BUT WTF IS HAPPENING!!!

This drama is a classic korean 'MAKJANG' so common sense and realistic scenarios should be thrown out of the window. That being said this drama has little to no plot holes and the characters are uniquely written. However, some might find most of the characters frustrating and irritating to watch. THE TWINS and THE FEMALE LEAD were the only characters i find interesting, the rest can go suck a **** ehem

This drama is all over the place with so many things happening suddenly and randomly. One good thing about this is that no episodes are boring and shit gets real every episode. This drama is UNIQUE and INTERESTING and it has its own flaws but if you dont mind that then this makjang will be PERFECT FOR YOU!!!

Citeste mai mult