K-dramas have become a worldwide phenomenon. In fact, we’re not surprised if you’ve binge-watched a myriad of series over the last couple of months since the start of the pandemic. Besides getting hooked on its unique plot lines, stellar acting and ethereal-looking cast, you’ll thank yourself for adding them into your pop-culture diet. But if you’re looking for new releases to watch, consider the Penthouse.
Set in a luxury penthouse apartment with over 100 floors, the Hera Palace houses residents that are said to have dark secrets and hidden ambitions. Here, Shim Su-Ryeon is known as the queen of the Penthouse, while Seo Jin, is known as the famous and ruthless opera singer, and Oh Yoon-Hee is Seo Jin’s rival.
So before you start watching the series, here are 7 things you need to know about Penthouse and the cast behind it:
Unlike most Korean dramas you’re familiar with, that last for at least an hour-long, each episode of the Penthouse is 30 minutes. The great thing about this is that you’ll be able to binge-watch the whole series and finish it no time! Of course, you might miss it once it’s all over but it’s a great option if you’re looking for something to watch while you’re waiting for someone or when you just don’t want long term commitments.
K-dramas are dramatic for a reason and what we love most about it is how every episode brings a new wave of feeling. It’s very much like experiencing a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions. And this is evident in this series, especially in their first 5 minutes in Episode 1. Here, you’ll notice a teenage girl falling from the top of the Penthouse before landing on a stone statue, dead.
Besides that, the characters in the series are also constantly scheming and plotting against each other too.
Playing the role of the villain in the show is no easy feat, but in an interview with Kim So Yeon who plays Seo Jin she explains why the role attracted her.
“Watching dramas like “Game of Thrones,” the strong female character looked very cool. I wanted that kind of role and I came to read the script for Penthouse. As soon as I read the first part, I thought this is it! Even though it was the role of a villain, I decided to do it because the character was very attracting.”
If you’re up to date with the latest episode of Penthouse, you’d notice that there was a scene with Seo Jin playing the piano. However, it was later revealed in the interview that the actress herself, actually had to learn how to play the piano during her spare time before the shoot.
She shared, “I cannot play the piano. But there is a scene where I have to play it intensely. I wanted to play well so I picked the song myself and suggested it to the director. It got an OK. But I found out later that the song required utmost skills. I learned how to play the piano during my spare time and finished the shooting well. It is one of the scenes I am really looking forward to.”
When asked about her role as Shim Su-Ryeon, Lee Ji-ah explains that she shares little to no similarities with her character. Lee Ji-ah says, “I tried thinking of similarities, but I cannot think of any. I like to wear comfortable clothes (Shim Su-ryeon does not). I do not even know if the way we talk or act is similar. I think the way we bottle up our anger is a little similar? There are so many differences. The biggest difference is that she is the type that plans very carefully. I cannot do that.”
“It was my first time playing such character, so everything was new. I usually don’t have many desires, so the character felt very different. It was my first time doing this type of acting, so it was more fun than hard. It was fun because it was my first time trying something I had never done.”
You know it’s a good drama when there’s a second season in the making.
The series was first launched in October 2020 and will be airing till January 2021. In November this year, HanCinema has also reported that The Penthouse is in the works of releasing not one, but two more seasons of the show that will be aired in 2021.
The Penthouse is now streaming on Viu.