A Cobertura

A makjang melodrama for 2020, this show is enjoyable and has twists and turns every few minutes. The use of opera and classical songs by the competing kids is really enjoyable throughout. It's more outrageous and much faster moving than Sky Castle. It's a lot of characters at first with all the evil rich and the wronged poor. Some people look a bit alike. The over the top apartment building is tacky and fun. The cast isn't terribly charismatic - the guys are more on the plain side. Lee Ji Ah is the main familiar face here. Things don't drag - they move quickly. Enjoyable with a delightful black comedy element. And a murder whodunnit keeps the viewer interested.

I loved the series at first, but as the story developed, it was just way too dramatic and made no sense. I really think it should have been done with two seasons. Anyway, I loved three actresses: Eugene, Kim Soyeon, and Lee Jiah.

This drama keeps you focused from the very first minute. An unexpected murder starts a domino of events. The rich and arrogant residents of Hera Palace and their selfish children as well as the unlucky Bae Ro-Na and her mam unroll step by step their own unique frame of mind. Betrayal, hatred, bullying, social inequalities ,love and revenge are only some of the feelings every character in this drama is experienced. The whole script is really good especially in the Season 1 (rate 9/10 for me) and the haunting performance from Cheon Seo-Jin and her daughter will make you thrilled!

Season 2 is not so good at the beggining. There are some plot twists seems like soap-opera and the action is slow. However, there are some great elements too. The psyche world of the children and the relationships between them, as well as the great finale , save the whole Season. Starts bad but ends good and that's the reason why I will rate Season 2 with 7/10.

After watching the last season I have to say that there are many unnecessary characters and episodes. First of all , Alex. An older brother who totally undoes the whole 1st season story (concerning the bone's marrow transplant, why to adopt a child when there is a brother to offer it???). Secondly, Baek Ju Ki. No need of existence too. He came and left without nobody feels anything about him.

There were some good episodes ,especially concerning the youngs , however there were just a little. In my way of thinking , season 3 was in the majority, unnecessary. I kept some good episodes (only 3 or 5 I think) and the satisfing finale. I have to mention that all the actors/actresses were great and their performances were extremely good.

So finally I will rate season 3 with 4/10.

From all the above my final rate is 6/10.

I rarely write reviews but after the 3rd or 4th episode of The Penthouse I felt compelled to put down my thoughts.

I've get a lot of viewing pleasure from TV shows and movies that originate in Korea. They've got subject matter for every taste: action/adventure, comedies, historical dramas, horror features, etc. It's opened a brand new viewing experience for me. I've enjoyed shows of every type and believe Korea has very talented writers and some terrific stories to tell. Production values vary from show to show as does acting ability, but that happens in cinema from all over the world.

My review is to address a subject I see in many of the shows I watch-physical abuse or assault. I'm not talking about the choreographed fights in a spy movie or the sword play in an historical show. I'm talking abuse in the life of every day Koreans. Family violence, workplace abuse and school bullying in particular.

What I find disturbing is the frequency with which it pops up in Korean shows. It's not a random occurrence. It's rarely seems essential to the storyline. It's been presented in every possible genre of storytelling. What adds to this disturbing element is the way the violence is presented as being accepted or acceptable. There is rarely any involvement of any type of authority when the violence is shown. School bullying? Workplace violence? It's repeated in series after series with there rarely being consequences for the assailant or justice for the abused. It's almost as if it's being presented as an acceptable and tolerated part of most Korean's lives. That a slap in the face should be taken. Or a kick or a push. And we all know that can't be a true reflection of the Korean people and their daily experiences, can it?

Of course Korean writers and storytellers don't want think that because Korea is a patriarchal society or because historically this type of behavior has been experienced that viewers should assume it's commonplace behavior in this day and age. Yet that is exactly how it's portrayed. Often.

This is only my perception. Others may not feel the same at all. But, to me, it's a sad element of too many Korean productions.

End of rant.

People criticize this drama as bad without first investigating the genre of makjang. Makjang literally means "taking things too far" and is a word often used in Korea to mean that things went "to the extreme." So by understanding this we will know that we will face a series that will have extreme situations and out of "reality" but this is what makes Penthouse a high impact series. The performances of the women are really strong, highlighting Cheon Seong Yi represented by Kim So Yeon, a real villain that we will never know how far she will go as well as the character of Joo Dan Tae, the demon of this kdrama. Each chapter is intriguing, you do not know what will happen in the next, causing the viewer an immense anxiety that will force you to continue and continue watching, I literally did not sleep in a week since when I started watching this program the first two seasons were already published. It was a long journey but I enjoyed it too much. So without further ado if you want to see a dramatically bizarre and shocking series you should give Penthouse a try, it is unpredictable and extreme to be simply a drama Korean has very strong images because being a follower of Korean productions, bloody and explicit scenes are almost always only found in movies. Well just add I love, I loved and I will continue to love this program, it is unique, you will not find another like it. PENTHOUSE left a very high bar on the makjangs that it will be very difficult for them to reach the heels of this series.