The Penthouse

Driven by a dream of life in a gleaming Gangnam penthouse, a determined woman bets everything she has and more. She cuts corners, borrows trouble, and tests every boundary to secure a unit with panoramic views and status to match. As the pursuit tightens, lines blur between right and wrong, and the cost starts to show in her relationships and her own sense of self. The city around her becomes a chessboard where alliances shift, secrets multiply, and every choice seems to raise the stakes. What begins as ambition grows increasingly dangerous and personal. The series traces a perilous path from desire to consequence. Its visual palette and suspenseful rhythm help keep viewers on edge as the plot thickens.

Directed by Joo Dong-min and created by Kim Soon-ok and Kang Sook, The Penthouse first aired in 2020 on SBS. The production emphasizes glossy opulence and sharp tonal shifts, underscoring the drama's elevated, provocative mood.

The Penthouse sparked a wave of online chatter and fashion talk as characters chased luxury and revenge. It became a touchstone for water cooler conversations and fan theories about who would outmaneuver whom in the high rise world. It also influenced fashion and meme culture online.

Critics praised its brisk pace and fearless take on wealth, status, and the moral compromises people make for ascent. The drama weighs ambition against family loyalties and personal ethics, turning a glossy entanglement into a meditation on power and its costs. Its themes hit home with a broad audience today.

Awards: The show earned nominations at major Korean ceremonies recognizing acting and drama, reflecting its impact and the performances of its leads. Its run sparked ongoing discussion about character choices and the limits of ambition, strengthening its reputation in Korean television circles and beyond.