Playing Ep 01

What people are saying

• livelygiraffe

  Overall 8

  Story 7,  Acting 9,  Music 9,  Rewatch Value 6.5

  Hey guys, gather around because I've got some thoughts to share about the latest season of a certain TV series. Just a heads up, there might be a few spoilers ahead!
  
  Let's start with Season 1. Honestly, when it comes to the story, I preferred Season 2. Maybe it's because there were more episodes and more time for building up the characters and their stories. Season 2 had a thrilling and suspenseful vibe that really hooked me. As for the acting, I have no complaints. All...

  the actors did a fantastic job, and the OSTs and background music added to the overall experience. However, I didn't find the story in Season 2 as mind-blowing as Season 1.
  
  But let's focus on the things I liked in Season 2. First off, Shim Suryeon's cunning and intelligence were on point. Her plan to regain her position by switching back her identities was absolutely awesome. Another thing I appreciated was Yoonhee's dedication to avenging Suryeon. Even after Rona's "death," she kept her promise and went all out. I mean, I can forgive her for what she did to Seola considering everything she went through in Season 2. She definitely brought tears to my eyes, and I'm hoping to see her and Suryeon team up again in Season 3.
  
  Now, let's talk about Dantae's breakdown in prison. It was quite a moment. Despite his faults, at least he genuinely loved Aegyo. And we can't forget the Hera Palace Prison Squad. That scene in court with them in their prisoner outfits had me cracking up.
  
  As for Logan, well, I don't have much to say about his character. I felt like he was underutilized this season, although I can't deny the chemistry he had with Suryeon. It's just a bit weird considering his love for Suryeon's step-sister's mom.
  
  On the other hand, there were a few things that didn't sit well with me in Season 2. For one, the plot twists were pretty predictable. I mean, with Aegyo's death and Rona's dad being Yoonchul, I kinda saw it coming. Another issue was the inconsistency in Seojin's character. She suddenly became weak, but I get it was for the sake of Eunbyeol. I did enjoy when they worked together, though, and Seojin's acting surprised me. Then, in the last few episodes, she suddenly turned evil again.
  
  Yoonchul also caught me off guard. He gained my trust only to lose it in a few episodes. But he did redeem himself somewhat in the last episode, so that's something. Oh, and can we talk about Jenny and Minhyuk? What the heck happened there? I thought Jenny had some character development and even became best friends with Rona. But that last episode made it seem like her EQ/IQ went down the drain. And poor Minhyuk, he didn't really get any development throughout the seasons.
  
  Looking forward to Season 3, there are a few things I hope to see. It's unlikely that Logan will survive since almost everyone who dies in front of Suryeon never makes a comeback. Unless the writer pulls off that revive trope again, but it's already been used twice this season. The new villains will probably be Jenny's dad and, of course, Dantae. How does he keep sneaking out of prison so easily? Joowan's character is a bit mysterious too, and him leaving the car right before Logan died seems suspicious. There's even a possibility that he's Suryeon's ex-husband, considering the resemblance, but a different actor played that role before.
  
  I'm really hoping for a Suryeon and Yoonhee reunion. They're both awesome, and I love their interactions. And speaking of characters, I hope Eunbyeol comes to her senses. She's just getting crazier in Season 3, especially with that creepy nanny in the mix. Something tells me she might be part of the villain trope. Lastly, let's not forget Rona and Seokhoon. These two are just too adorable, and I think Season 3 might bring some development in their relationship.
  
  All in all, Season 2 was still enjoyable. Suryeon continues to amaze me with her intelligence and strategy. She really is the Queen of Hera Palace. I just hope she can hold onto her position and her sanity because her loved ones keep dying in front of her. Can't wait to see what Season 3 has in store for us! See you guys there!

• toughseo

  Overall 7

  Story 6,  Acting 10,  Music 9,  Rewatch Value 2

  Introducing the Makjangiest Makjang of the season – a rollercoaster ride of drama, fun, and pure absurdity! Now, let me break it down for you and why I have mixed feelings. But hang on for the awesome finale before jumping to conclusions!
  
  Cons:
  The first half of the season had my brain crying, "Can it get any more ridiculous?" It was filled with repetitive misery, losing some of its initial charm. Don't get me wrong, the shock value still packs a punch, even though it becomes a...

  tad predictable. And the dark comedy had me laughing manically, albeit a bit morbidly. It's like junk food – you know it's bad, but you can't stop devouring it, hoping for improvement.
  
  Being a Makjang, it's expected to be over-the-top and exaggerated. Season one had a solid direction and well-developed characters, offering nuance behind the chaos. No wonder it became a hit! However, the drama creators got greedy, extending the story unnecessarily for two more seasons. The cliffhanger ending of the last season definitely roped us back in, hungry for justice. But boy, did they disappoint us! The writing took a nosedive, becoming nonsensical and laughably bad. It felt like they threw a bunch of plotlines against the wall and hoped for the best. There's no purpose behind the madness, and the once-charismatic villains now feel hollow and one-dimensional.
  
  It's the same story repeating over and over – bullying, murder (but not really), revenge (but not really), and repeat. And it's exhausting. We're stuck in a loop without the wow factor of the first season. The worst part? The protagonist, Yeon Hee, is brainless to another level. She annoyed me in season one, but season two took it to a whole new level. Half a brain cell and endless whining – that's her contribution. The writers had a few plot twists up their sleeves that ended up being hilariously unfunny and reeked of amateurism.
  
  Yes, the antagonists still shine. Cheon Seo Jin's performance is on point, as always. But what's the point when you stop caring about the story and characters? The show becomes a cycle of mindlessly evil adults and teens being pointlessly cruel, greedy, and annoying. The direction remains top-notch, the luxurious setting adds to the allure, and the music is brilliant, but we've seen it all before.
  
  For a show to work, the good guys need to match the bad ones, but here, the bad guys overpower the protagonists. Even when the villains suffer, it's mostly because of their own stupidity. There's a severe lack of badass moments for the good guys, leaving you longing for some epic justice. At one point, you just wish they would all annihilate each other to end the frustration.
  
  Pros:
  Now, you might think I've said it all, but trust me, there's more! In the second half, the show finally picks up its pace. The writing remains bogus, and the plot is unrealistic, but here's the twist – we finally get a character worth rooting for! This part of the show will have you on the edge of your seat, hooked and ready for action. Episode 10 is undeniably satisfying as the good guys gather their strength to kick some serious ass.
  
  Throughout the series, there are touching moments depicting parent-child relationships. Some scenes are executed beautifully, evoking genuine emotions despite the overall inconsistency in pacing and writing. And the ending, while both satisfying and frustrating, will leave you yearning for more.
  
  Is this show wacky? Absolutely. Does it try to be anything else? Nope. Will I be watching season three? Oh, hell yes! This is the kind of addictive crack that runs through my veins. Don't expect too much, switch off your brain, and enjoy the wild ride to the maximum!

• FierceLaLaLand

  Overall 10

  Story 10,  Acting 10,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 10

  Alright, let's get real here. I gotta admit, I always tense up when it comes to dramas that drag on for multiple seasons. It's one of the main reasons I steer clear of Western dramas altogether. They just end up being super long and super boring after a while. But hey, even with my obsession for Penthouse, I still had my doubts about this new season. I was scared it might end up being "unnecessary" and all. But let me tell ya, that's definitely not...

  the case here, my friend. In fact, I'm starting to think I enjoy the sequels more than the original, and Penthouse is no exception. Maybe it's because this season was shorter, or maybe it's because we dove right into the craziness without wasting any time. Who knows for sure? But what I can tell you is what I loved about this second season.
  
  Every single thing that went down in these episodes contributed to an insane and fantastic plot, and man, did I eat up every minute of it. I don't wanna spoil anything just in case, but let me tell you, the twists and turns were off the charts amazing. You think you've got it all figured out, but then boom! You're the star of a circus show, and what you thought was set in stone turns out to be a total deception.
  
  Now, let's talk characters. In my review of season one, I mentioned how each and every one of them, whether they were good or bad, was portrayed so damn well. And guess what? The same can be said for season two. One of the things I loved about the first season was that you could choose whether to love or hate each character, and that trend continues here. Of course, there were still characters that made my blood boil, and I shed my fair share of tears because of them. But you know what? I live for those emotions when it comes to characters. Some of them straight-up blindsided me, for better or worse. I found myself at one point despising a character I thought I liked, while loving a character I thought I hated. And let me tell you, my friend, this season only solidifies my belief that no other actors could bring these incredible characters to life. Seriously, I can't even imagine someone else in these roles.
  
  Now, let's touch on a few other things. Despite the limited number of OSTs we got, they were all fantastic. I mean, "Repeatedly" and "The Morass" hit me right in the feels. I do wish this season was longer, but hey, at least they extended it with an extra episode. And guess what? The best episode of them all happened to air on my freakin' birthday. Now, talk about an epic birthday gift!
  
  Final thoughts time! Look, if you're watching season two, chances are you've already seen the first one. So, you already know what you're getting yourself into with all the craziness and drama. And let me tell you, this season doesn't hold back when it comes to the hectic plot. Sure, some might argue that season one was even more intense and "insane," probably because it had more episodes. But trust me, season two doesn't shy away from delivering the madness.
  
  I'm hella excited for season three, and I can only imagine how wild and amazing it's gonna be. The only downside? Having to endure just one episode per week, which feels like pure torture. But overall, this season is freaking fantastic. And if you enjoyed season one, then my friend, you gotta check out season two. Don't miss out!

• wisecharlize32

  Overall 9.5

  Story 9.5,  Acting 10,  Music 9.5,  Rewatch Value 8

  Even Better Than Before!
  
  Holy moly, this season had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! The writers seriously knocked it out of the park. Believe me when I say, there's this one moment where you'll be grinning ear to ear, thinking everything is smooth sailing, and then BAM! Something unexpected goes down and you'll be fuming with anger. But hold on tight, because just when you think you can't take it anymore, the rollercoaster zooms right back up and you'll be jumping...

  for joy once again.
  
  Now, I know the overall setup is pretty similar to the first season, but trust me, the twists and turns in this one are on a whole other level. That's what makes it even better in my humble opinion. Plus, with the character backgrounds already established, you can dive right into the action without missing a beat. Sure, the first couple of episodes may not grab you by the collar, but once it picks up, there's no turning back. It's like a magnet that draws you in and refuses to let go.
  
  Seriously, there's not much more I can say without giving it all away. I am absolutely buzzing for the next season. I'm counting down the days until it finishes airing because I just can't get enough. Trust me, you're in for an even wilder ride this time around. So, grab your popcorn, buckle up, and get ready to have a blast!

• BrightToucan79

  Overall 10

  Story 10,  Acting 10,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 10

  OMG, you guys! This drama was seriously soooo good! Okay, okay, I'll admit, there was this one moment where it kinda dragged on a bit, but overall, it was put together so well. Like, you won't even get bored watching it, I promise. It's like, you get way too invested in the whole thing!
  
  I swear, it made me laugh one second and then cry my eyes out the next. And let me tell you, there were some seriously juicy moments that got me sooo angry....

  But in a good way, you know? Like, it's just that good!
  
  The acting, you guys! Everyone was on point. The characters were portrayed so freakin' well. My absolute faves were Kim So Yeon and Uhm Ki Joon. Seriously, they killed it. They deserve, like, a major award for their performances. They made me feel disgusted, angry, and even pity all at the same time. Can you believe it?
  
  Oh, and can we talk about the background music? So legit! The suspenseful sound just added this extra layer of awesomeness to the whole thing. But, like, they didn't go crazy with the songs in the background, and honestly, I'm not even mad about it. This drama didn't need it, trust me.
  
  Okay, here's the deal. I would totally rewatch this, especially while waiting for the next season of another show I love. Every time I've rewatched it, I've discovered new things I didn't even notice the first time around. It's seriously that good, you guys!
  
  So, yeah, bottom line is, this drama was freakin' amazing. You gotta check it out. Seriously, it's soooo good!