Completed
hiphop123
1 people found this review helpful
Mar 2, 2021
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

Come watch this with a tissues and pillows.

This is the first review I have done in a long time so bear with me as I explain my feeling for this drama.

Story: There are some stuff in the drama we have seen before in the genre like opposing parents, corruptions, lots of characters that are jerks, etc. But the execution of the story was so well done. I came in knowing that there were going to be 3 seasons before this story comes to a close, so I did like the open-ended ending that we got. I was able to be watch this in 2 1/2 days! That is how much the story grabbed me from the get-go. This was the first time in a while since I was super invested in all of the characters including the villains. I cried a lot and I was so angry at so many of the characters that it can be a stressful watch.

Acting: I have to say... The acting was one of the best I have seen this year so far, from all of the characters. This was the first time I have seen Kim So Yeon as a villain and I have to say. It was one of the best acting I have seen from her (I have watched a few of her projects and she played female leads). Lee Ji Ah was a revelation, I did not recognize her from Me too Flower (I saw this drama last year LOL). She was so much better here than Me too Flower if you didn't like her character in that drama, then try this one. The actors playing all of the high school students did such of a good job of hating them and rooting for them (some of them). Uhm Ki Joon also did a fantastic job as a villain as well; he did such a good job to be a scary, manipulative villain. But the actor who stole the show for me was Park Eun Seok ( I have never seen him in anything before this drama).

Music: The music was mainly contained opera music, orchestra background music and very few music with vocals. The music helped elevate the show so well. I think if this had more music with the vocals (pop songs mainly) it would of ruined the moment I think. It was a great choice of music. Since music was part of the main plot, I think the opera music choices were well chosen was well.

Re-watch: I would not watch the whole thing back-to back. This story made me really stress out for all of the characters involved. But there was a scene that was so tense between two characters near the later half of the show that I re-watched daily for 4 days straight (no joke mind you). It was the dialogue of that scene, the acting, the chemistry between the two actors, it was a visceral watch and felt the pain, anger, sorrow, betrayal between the two character. One of the best fight scenes I have seen in a long time.

Overall, if you are into betrayal, corruption, character development (some, not all), mystery, suspense and over-the-top acting (quite a bit of screaming heads up on that), and any of these actors , you will enjoy this drama. P.S. Before you watch, trend lightly because some scenes could cause triggers in some people. If you have to, take breaks in between if it gets super hard to watch.

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Completed
mangodesu
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 31, 2021
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

each episode never fails to shock and surprise

I can’t believe I hesitated to watch this show. I’ve heard things about it but the plot seemed too much like Sky Castle to me. Or at least I thought it did. Oh my god this show was probably the craziest emotional roller coaster I’ve ever been on from a show. And it only shares some of the same themes Sky Castle had, but this show is in a league of its own. It had so many twists and turns and each episode didn’t give you a break. Each episode was shocking and revealed something that furthered the plot. I ended up binge watching the entire first season within three days. This show legit gave me anxiety during certain scenes, but the intrigue of the characters was so easy to get caught up in. Absolutely addicting.

I really have to give it up for all the actors involved-including the teen actors(they took what was given to them and really made an impact every time they were on screen.) But the standouts for me were Lee Ji-Ah, Kim Young-Dae, and Park Eun-Seok. Lee Ji-Ah was able to bring so much passion and emotion to her role, and Park Eun-Seok masterfully pulled off the personas of Gu Ho Dong and Logan Lee. Kim Young-Dae was the cold but handsome Nam-Joo in Extraordinary You, but in this he was unrecognizable to me. Out of all the kids in the Penthouse, he impressed me the most. I am biased because he is so good-looking, but his acting in this impressed me. He doesn’t have to say much when he’s on screen because his gaze is powerful and his eyes are so expressive. Even if he has no lines during a scene his eyes tell you what he really wants to say and that is a great skill to have as an actor. An honorable mention goes to Kim So Yeon. She played the hell out of her role. But in all honesty all the actors involved did an amazing job with their characters.

I’m surprised that the first season ended with the bad guys winning. It was an interesting choice of writing and it subverted my expectations for the finale. It was reported that it was planned at the beginning for Penthouse to have 3 seasons, so I’m really looking forward to how the characters will develop. I hope the writing keeps its quality. 10/10

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Completed
Rtconnect
1 people found this review helpful
Dec 23, 2023
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Murder, Mothers, and Teen Romance

This drama series caters to those who enjoy intricate storylines, and I can assure you that it's absolutely worth your time. The mysterious death of a student adds a captivating layer to the narrative, but what sets it apart is the compelling story of the three mothers. Each embodies distinct life perspectives—one yearns for a perfect family, another seeks what's best for her child, and the third desires everything, even if it's not rightfully hers. The series delves deep into the lives of these three mothers, exploring the lengths to which a parent would go for their children.

Let me be candid—I'm a teenager, and naturally, my interest tends to gravitate towards the romantic aspects of the students. What hooked me was the love story between Bae Ro Na and Joo Seok Hoon. It's a classic tale of the popular boy meeting the bullied girl, but it takes a darker turn as these students are entangled in a murder. Overall, it's a genuinely, and I mean very, compelling drama. I'm excited to share that there are two more seasons on the horizon.

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Completed
Itsthenerdcorner
1 people found this review helpful
Mar 18, 2021
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Almost EVERYONE in this show is a nutjob

This show will open your eyes. Really, I mean it. This show has the most unexpected plot twists ever. The story is about rich adults, who can do anything for power, more money and their children and how they get involved in a murder case. And that's only the beginning.
When I watched the first episode, I could actually feel my blood pressure rising because of the evil characters in this show. But then I got so intrigued that I decided to watch the second episode as well and that folks, is how I finished the entire season in less than four days.
I do admit that this show will make you go mad but it's so entertaining. Both the good guys and the bad guys are RICH as FUCK and SMART as FUCK. The moment you feel like you are catching on with the story and think that you have actually figured out what the writers are about to do next; YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT AT ALL. And most likely, you'll never figure out.
And I think that's the beauty of the show? I dunno.
One character that I truly liked and didn't get mad at throughout the show was Shim Su Ryeon. That baddie. She is the definition of smart and sexy. I ADORED HER. The way Lee Ji Ah portrays her is classic (also Lee Ji Ah is so beautiful. I couldn't stop looking at her throughout the show)
I didn't love Rona (I really wanted to though) I loved her boldness and the fact that she stands up for herself is so impressive but there were a few moments when she just wouldn't try to understand the situation (times when she would yell at her mom without giving her a chance to explain)
One thing that I really loved was Seok Hoon's character development throughout the show. I didn't like him at all in the beginning but I love how he's starts being reasonable and a better person in the show and also the fact that he realises his mistakes and repents for it.
I was shocked to see Jenny's character development at the end too (looking forward to that in season 2)
I really recommend this show. It's good. It'll get on your nerves, that's for sure so I advise you to forward ten seconds of the video whenever you feel like you can't take the angry inside you anymore (I did that too and I really enjoyed it)
Also, SBS deleted some important clips from the show so that they keep the episode in its initial time but if you happen to be interested in the kids storyline more then you can watch those deleted scenes in YouTube.

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Ongoing 9/21
Anita Tran
12 people found this review helpful
Nov 25, 2020
9 of 21 episodes seen
Ongoing 21
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

great

i hope Kim Young Dae and Bae Ro Na will fall in love and stay together. they look like they will be happy if they are together because they look like they know each other well in each other heart and it look like Bae Ro Na understand Kim Young Dae better than his sister and his father. so i think they should be together in future. they should be happy together. and Kim Young Dae sister need to grew up herself without having her brother next to her all the times. soon or later her brother will have to leave her and get marry.
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Completed
koo
1 people found this review helpful
May 14, 2023
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 5.5
This review may contain spoilers

Well...that was something

I'm gonna tell you rn that I already watched all three seasons and i can easily say season 1 will never be beaten. SUCH A GOOD WELL DONE KDRAMA! The drama, the subtle humor, the action, romance aaahhhhhhhhhhhh JUST YES!! A long kdrama which allows so much development between characters which is what makes it so good. BUT....Holy shit what are the last two seasons? From killing characters unnecessarily to making one of the actors literally be lowkey racist towards the black people??? Bruh,,, I know yall know what I'm talking about. Them making that guys twin be a dude w dreadlocks and talking in a blaccent was NOT it. But yeah, season 1 outsold.

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Completed
misscassify
1 people found this review helpful
Dec 10, 2024
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Yuck....

The only thing this drama succeeded at was ensuring I never watch another soap opera or makjang or whatever these are called.

One word for it - distasteful.

You can write a mystery/revenge plot without conjuring up the most disgusting, conniving characters in all drama land.

Now I have to go clean my palate.
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Completed
Naega_ur_fav_pookie_wook
1 people found this review helpful
Jul 23, 2024
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I'm finally watching 'Penthouse' for the first time, and I'm surprised it took me this long! I usually avoid overly hyped dramas, but after a recent recommendation and reading glowing reviews, I decided to give it a shot. Now, I'm hooked! This show is full of surprises and mysteries, keeping me on my toes. I've learned to distrust even the most innocent-seeming characters, as they can turn villainous in an instant. While there are some frustrating characters, the drama has me captivated! 😭 ❤️❤️
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Completed
Kimchiiallinonefan
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 12, 2024
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 2.0

For the people who love twists after twists( very complicated plot)

it really had lots of twist..the best thing about it was that there were rerely funny scenes, i kept laughing at the most serious scenes for some reason...lol idk y..took me months to complete...was a task and forced myself to finis watching it...this drama cover the dark side of the sociey and rich power which is for the mature minds or else they will get bored
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Completed
GoblinsBride
0 people found this review helpful
May 11, 2021
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 3.0

pure entertainment!!

Finished watching both season 1 and 2. This series kept me entertained for both seasons! I love that its very fast pace without any dragginess, and lots of things happen in every episode. Is this an award-winning type drama with characters that a lot of people can relate? definitely NOT, however, this is pure entertainment for me. The story is full of plot holes and a lot of unrealistic moments, and most characters seems crazy and so over-the-top; but if you are looking for a drama that is exciting throughout and full of surprises, this is it. To sum up my thought about this series: this drama is just very crazy, but in a good way :-)

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Completed
CelleP
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 23, 2022
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.5

just my thoughts

Overall i think you should watch this show. It is addictive and you will get angry many times. It takes you on a roller coaster ride to hell and back and to be honest I’m not sure when the ride will end. But did I enjoy it? yeah.

one thing tho is if you are not devoted to dramas you might find this “too long” for you. just watch it, its good fun and dont take it too seriously.

thats my overall review of penthouse war in life. i actually watched this at first on kissasian then it made its way to netflix. thats great!
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Completed
Jasveen walia
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 2, 2021
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers

Should you wait for a year?

I recommend you to wait for the next season because the ending is left on a cliff hanger which makes you really impatient this is literally annoying because viewers want to know what will happen next. I loved the story because it looks so intimidating.The acting and expressions were amazing some characters were portrayed as evil, nasty and coldhearted which made the viewers believe that what type of people they are There are a few families that are extremely rich and they have children who commit a crime but their family help them escape but this starts to change when a poor family who they all know move into the building this shocks the families how can someone like that live in the building??? I don't wanna spoil this show anymore i hope you enjoyed this review thanks for viewing this review i love you all and come back soon with another review. xxx

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The Penthouse: War in Life (2020) poster

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