Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Penthouse: War in Life, which became one of the most addictive and talked-about series in K-drama history, proving that sometimes the most luxurious lives hide the darkest secrets.
The Penthouse: War in Life premiered on October 26, 2020, and concluded on September 10, 2021, spanning three incredible seasons with a total of 45 episodes aired on SBS. Season 1 consisted of 21 episodes, while Seasons 2 and 3 each had 12 episodes, with each episode running approximately 70 minutes of pure drama and suspense. This makjang masterpiece follows the wealthy residents of Hera Palace, a luxury 100-floor penthouse apartment building, where social climbing, murder, and revenge intertwine in the most spectacular fashion.
The series centers around three ambitious mothers who will stop at nothing to secure their children’s futures and their own positions in Seoul’s elite society. Available on multiple streaming platforms including Viki, Prime Video, and various regional services, The Penthouse: War in Life has garnered international acclaim for its over-the-top storytelling, stellar performances, and addictive plot twists that kept viewers glued to their screens week after week.
What makes The Penthouse: War in Life absolutely captivating is how it combines elements of thriller, mystery, and family drama while exploring themes of class warfare, parental obsession, and the price of ambition. The series doesn’t hold back in showing how far people will go when power, money, and status are at stake.
A World Where Money Buys Everything Except Peace
The story unfolds within the opulent walls of Hera Palace, where SHIM Suryeon, who was born into wealth, is the queen of the penthouse apartment. CHEON Seojin, the prima donna of the residence, does all she can to give everything to her daughter. OH Yoonhee comes from a poor family background, but strives to enter high society by becoming the queen of the penthouse. When a shocking death occurs during a party, these three women find themselves entangled in a web of lies, cover-ups, and revenge that spans across all three seasons.
The narrative brilliantly explores how the pursuit of status and success can corrupt even the most well-intentioned people. Each character’s journey reveals different aspects of ambition, from Su-ryeon’s desire to protect her family’s legacy, to Seo-jin’s obsession with her daughter’s success, to Yoon-hee’s determination to escape poverty. The mystery surrounding the death becomes the catalyst that exposes everyone’s darkest secrets and hidden agendas.
Shim Su-ryeon: The Elegant Avenger
Lee Ji-ah delivers a tour de force performance as Shim Su-ryeon, the sophisticated and mysterious queen of Hera Palace whose elegant exterior masks a brilliant strategist capable of calculated revenge. Su-ryeon’s character evolution throughout the three seasons is nothing short of spectacular, transforming from a seemingly passive wealthy wife to a formidable force of justice. Her journey explores themes of maternal love, betrayal, and the lengths someone will go to protect their family.
What makes Su-ryeon such a compelling protagonist is how Lee Ji-ah balances her character’s vulnerability with her fierce determination for justice. She’s elegant and refined, but when pushed to her limits, she reveals a strategic mind that can outmaneuver even the most cunning opponents. Her character arc includes shocking revelations and plot twists that redefine everything viewers thought they knew about her.
Cheon Seo-jin: The Ruthless Mother
Kim So-yeon brings incredible intensity to Cheon Seo-jin, a character who embodies the dark side of parental ambition and social climbing. Seo-jin’s obsession with maintaining her status and ensuring her daughter’s success drives her to increasingly desperate and ruthless actions. Her evolution from a seemingly concerned mother to a manipulative antagonist creates some of the most memorable and chilling moments in the series.
The dynamic between Kim So-yeon’s Seo-jin and the other mothers creates explosive tension that fuels the entire series. Seo-jin’s character represents how privilege and entitlement can corrupt, showing someone who justifies increasingly terrible actions in the name of protecting her family’s position in society.
When Secrets Explode: The Truth Behind Hera Palace
The most explosive aspect of The Penthouse: War in Life comes from the gradual revelation of secrets that each resident of Hera Palace has been hiding. The series masterfully builds tension through three seasons, with each reveal more shocking than the last. From hidden identities to buried crimes, from family betrayals to deadly rivalries, the truth behind the glamorous facade creates a domino effect that destroys lives and relationships.
The climactic moments of each season deliver jaw-dropping revelations that recontextualize everything viewers have seen before. The series excels in showing how lies and deception eventually catch up with everyone, no matter how powerful or wealthy they might be. The final season brings all storylines to their explosive conclusions, delivering justice in the most unexpected ways.
Phenomenal Success on SBS
The Penthouse: War in Life achieved unprecedented success, with the series finale reaching over 28% viewership ratings, making it one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history. The series earned a 7.9 rating on IMDb and became a cultural phenomenon across Asia and internationally. Critics and audiences have particularly praised the performances of Lee Ji-ah, Kim So-yeon, and Uhm Ki-joon, noting how their complex character portrayals elevated the already compelling storyline. The series sparked countless discussions on social media about wealth inequality, education pressure, and parental expectations in Korean society. Available on multiple streaming platforms including Viki and Prime Video, The Penthouse: War in Life has proven that makjang dramas can achieve both critical acclaim and massive popular success when executed with this level of quality and commitment.
The Perfect Binge for Revenge Drama Lovers
If you love intense family dramas, revenge thrillers, and stories about the dark side of wealth and privilege, The Penthouse: War in Life is the perfect series to binge on SBS and streaming platforms. This drama proves that sometimes the most beautiful facades hide the ugliest truths, and justice always finds a way.
Why This Drama Will Consume Your Life
The Penthouse: War in Life reminds us that money can’t buy happiness or peace, making it an essential watch for anyone who loves addictive storytelling and complex characters who blur the lines between hero and villain.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 45 total (Season 1: 21 episodes, Season 2: 12 episodes, Season 3: 12 episodes)
Platform: SBS, Viki, Prime Video, various regional streaming services
Release Year: October 26, 2020 – September 10, 2021
Current IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Family Drama, Makjang
Status: Completed series (3 seasons)
Main Cast: Lee Ji-ah (Shim Su-ryeon), Kim So-yeon (Cheon Seo-jin), Shin Eun-kyung (Oh Yoon-hee)
Supporting Cast: Uhm Ki-joon (Joo Dan-tae), Park Eun-seok, Yoon Jong-hoon, Han Ji-hyun