The Penthouse: War in Life: Review, Story, Cast, Episodes, Release Date, Budget & More

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, aired on SBS from October 2020 to September 2021 across three explosive seasons totaling over 60 episodes. This makjang phenomenon became one of Korea’s most addictive yet controversial dramas, sparking obsessive binge-watching sessions worldwide. Available on Netflix, the series achieved record-breaking ratings domestically while dominating social media conversations with its shocking plot twists every single episode. The series was ranked the 18th most-viewed Korean drama with 3.77 million viewers despite receiving mixed critical reception. With its over-the-top storylines involving murder, betrayal, scheming parents, and ruthless ambition set against Korea’s ultra-wealthy elite, “The Penthouse” pushed boundaries of believability while keeping viewers absolutely hooked, unable to look away from the beautiful chaos unfolding in luxury apartments and prestigious arts schools.

The Penthouse: War in Life (2021): Release Date, Story, Plot, Episodes, Cast, Actors Salary, Actors Net Worth, Budget, OTT Response, Trailer, Songs, Awards, Review, Ratings & More

InfoThe Penthouse: War in Life
GenreSuspense
Drama
Crime
Revenge
Thriller
Mystery
LanguageKorean
Directed byJoo Dong-min (S1–3)
Park Bo-ram (S1)
Park Soo-jin (S2–3)
Star CastLee Ji-ah
Kim So-yeon
Eugene
Um Ki-joon
Yoon Jong-hoon
Shin Eun-kyung
Bong Tae-kyu
Park Eun-seok
Yoon Joo-hee
Produced byKim Sang-hyun
Cho Hyeon-jin
Cho Jin Wook
Production
companies
Studio S (SBS)
Chorokbaem Media
Written byKim Soon-ok
Edited byJo In-hyeong
Park Ji-hyun
Lim Ho-cheol
CountrySouth Korea
Original networkSBS TV
Original releaseOctober 26, 2020 – September 10, 2021
Running time70–95 minutes

The Penthouse: War in Life Storyline

At Hera Palace, a 100-floor luxury penthouse in Gangnam, Seoul’s wealthiest families engage in cutthroat competition for status, power, and their children’s success at the elite Cheong-ah Arts School. Elegant Shim Su-ryeon discovers her businessman husband Joo Dan-tae’s dark secrets while seeking revenge for her daughter’s tragic death. Meanwhile, former high school rivals Oh Yoon-hee from humble beginnings and famous soprano Cheon Seo-jin clash violently in their obsessive quests to secure their daughters’ futures. When mysterious student Min Seol-ah falls to her death during a costume party, long-buried secrets surface, triggering an all-out war where these ambitious mothers and corrupt fathers will literally kill, frame, and destroy anyone standing between them and the top

The Penthouse: War in Life Cast, Crew, Role, Salary, Remuneration & Net Worth

Here are the complete details of actors and actresses names in the Web Series.

1.Lee Ji-ah as Shim Su-ryeon / Na Ae-kyo

Lee Ji-ah as Shim Su-ryeon / Na Ae-kyo
InfoShim Su-ryeon / Na Ae-kyo
Real NameLee Ji-ah
Salary Per Web Series$22,700
Net Worth$2 million

2.Kim So-yeon as Cheon Seo-jin

Kim So-yeon as Cheon Seo-jin
InfoCheon Seo-jin
Real NameKim So-yeon
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net Worth$10 million

3.Eugene as Oh Yoon-hee

Eugene as Oh Yoon-hee
InfoOh Yoon-hee
Real NameEugene
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

4.Kim Young-dae as Joo Seok-hoon (Baek Seok-hoon)

Kim Young-dae as Joo Seok-hoon (Baek Seok-hoon)
InfoJoo Seok-hoon
Real NameKim Young-dae
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

5.Han Ji-hyun as Joo Seok-kyung (Jo Seok-Kyung)

Han Ji-hyun as Joo Seok-kyung (Jo Seok-Kyung)
InfoJoo Seok-kyung
Real NameHan Ji-hyun
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

6.Jo Soo-min as Anna Lee / Min Seol-ah (Jo Seol-ah)

Jo Soo-min as Anna Lee / Min Seol-ah (Jo Seol-ah)
InfoAnna Lee / Min Seol-ah
Real NameJo Soo-min 
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

7.Choi Ye-bin as Ha Eun-byeol

Choi Ye-bin as Ha Eun-byeol
InfoHa Eun-byeol
Real NameChoi Ye-bin 
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

8.Jung Sung-mo as Cheon Myung-soo

Jung Sung-mo as Cheon Myung-soo
InfoCheon Myung-soo
Real NameJung Sung-mo
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

9.Yoon Jong-hoon as Ha Yoon-cheol

Yoon Jong-hoon as Ha Yoon-cheol
InfoHa Yoon-cheol
Real NameYoon Jong-hoon
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

10.Kim Hyun-soo as Bae Ro-na

Kim Hyun-soo as Bae Ro-na
InfoBae Ro-na
Real NameKim Hyun-soo 
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

The Penthouse: War in Life Web Series Awards

AwardsCategoryRecipients
NANANA

The Penthouse: War in Life Review

“The Penthouse: War in Life” is gloriously ridiculous, utterly addictive trash television at its absolute finest. The performances are outstanding, Kim So-yeon steals every scene as the deliciously evil Cheon Seo-jin, while Um Ki-joon creates one of K-drama’s most despicable villains in Joo Dan-tae. Every episode delivers jaw-dropping plot twists that defy logic and reality, making you scream “WHAT?!” at your screen constantly. Yes, the storyline becomes increasingly absurd with characters surviving impossible situations, convenient amnesia, and resurrections that strain all credibility. The ending disappointed many viewers with its scattered resolution. However, if you embrace the over-the-top melodrama without taking it seriously, it’s incredibly entertaining. The production values are stunning, the acting committed despite ridiculous material, and the sheer audacity of the writing makes it impossible to stop watching. It’s a guilty pleasure phenomenon, objectively messy but subjectively irresistible for those who love extreme makjang drama.

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