Recap and Review: Penthouse Season 3, Episode 2 – “You’re fired! You’re fired too!”

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Immediately after Su Ryeon pushes Seo Jin in the water, a pair of divers rescue her and bring her back to shore. Yoon Hee wakes up the unconscious Seo Jin by slapping her back. Su Ryeon and Yoon He want Seo Jin to help bring Dan Tae down by finding evidence proving he killed Logan.

Seo Jin isn’t too keen on teaming up with them at first. But Su Ryeon and Yoon Hee inform Seo Jin of Dan Tae’s latest moves after his release from prison, including taking her home and positioning himself to take over at Cheong Ah. Either Seo Jin helps them or she dies right here.

Seo Jin says if anyone will kill Dan Tae, it will be her. Secretary Do arrives to pick Seo Jin up and they leave.

Su Ryeon assures Yoon Hee that she doesn’t trust Seo Jin completely, but they’ll keep an eye on her. Yoon Hee asks why Su Ryeon got her out of prison. Su Ryeon says that once Dan Tae and Seo Jin were released, Korea’s entire legal system collapsed. She warns Yoon Hee not to trust the law any longer, especially when Rona might be in danger.

On the ride back to Seoul, Secretary Do updates Seo Jin on Dan Tae’s plan to dismiss all execs sympathetic to her at the shareholders meeting. But Seo Jin is also shocked when Secretary Do says she has lost most of her properties and wealth, including to her stepmother and half-sister.

Seo Jin had asked Secretary Do to tail Logan on the day of his return. And thanks to that, they have photos of Dan Tae as the old man lurking about during the explosion.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Before anything else, Seo Jin wants to see Eun Byeol. She barges into a Coffeebay where Eun Byeol is happily enjoying some bingsu with Ms. Jin. Seo Jin is happy to see her daughter, but the feeling is not mutual.

Eun Byeol says she had been doing well after forgetting about her and how she ruined her life. She refuses to have anything to do with her criminal parents and is perfectly happy with Ms. Jin who has been there for her this whole time. Even helping her to stay out of juvie after her step-grandmother tossed her aside.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Seo Jin grabs Ms. Jin by the collar, believing she has brainwashed her daughter. But Eun Byeol takes a fork and threatens to stab herself in the neck if Seo Jin hurts Ms. Jin.

Eun Byeol says this is the happiest she’s ever been and asks Seo Jin not to take this away from her. Eun Byeol takes their bingsu and heads to another table.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Ms. Jin says Eun Byeol has asked her to be her guardian. Seo Jin thinks this is all Yoon Hee’s plan. But Ms. Jin says it was Logan who brought her from the United States. Seo Jin thinks that means Su Ryeon is also involved.

Seo Jin barges into her old home at Hera Palace to see it Dan Tae-fied.

At the Cheong Ah shareholders meeting, Dan Tae takes control and fires anyone who questions his legitimacy. Seo Jin storms in with the press in toe and puts on a show pretending she and Dan Tae are the happiest couple ready to pick up where they left off. With Cheong Ah’s stock and reputation in the gutter, Dan Tae has no choice but to go along with it.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

On the helipad, Seo Jin proposes she and Dan Tae work together until Cheong Ah’s value is restored. Once that happens, they can go their separate ways. Dan Tae isn’t convinced. That is, until Seo Jin shows him the photos of him as the old man on the day of Logan’s death.

At the shop, Yoon Hee warns Su Ryeon that Seo Jin is back to her old tricks. But Su Ryeon says pushing Seo Jin back to Dan Tae is part of her plan to fight fire with fire. Yoon Hee is worried about Su Ryeon putting on a brave face knowing how much she is in pain from losing the love of her life, Logan.

Back home, Su Ryeon is shocked to find the twins being surrounded by suited men. These men turn out to be bodyguards to a curious-looking person.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

This Logan Lee-looking person turns out to be Logan’s older brother Alex who takes issue with Su Ryeon’s involvement in his brother’s death.

Alex believes Su Ryeon has killed Logan for revenge. But Su Ryeon denies that and expresses just how much Logan actually meant to her. Alex asks if Su Ryeon knows where Logan’s $10 billion is, but she does not. Alex recounts the day Logan left for Korea having said the money was for Seol Ah.

Both Alex and their parents tried stopping Logan from returning to Korea. But Logan insists on making Dan Tae pay for all his evil deeds and keep Su Ryeon safe.

“Do you not know what you mean to this family? Do you not know what our parents did to save your goddamned life?!”

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Alex says Logan is supposed to take over their pops’ business. But Logan is more concerned with taking care of Su Ryeon. Logan owes his second life to Seol Ah and he wants to spend it with Su Ryeon.

Alex tells Su Ryeon that he will kill whoever has that $10 billion and warns Su Ryeon to prepare herself.

The twins wonder if Su Ryeon and Logan had a thing.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Downstairs, Yoon Hee and Rona share a tearful reunion.

At the office, Dan Tae abuses Secretary Jo who tells him about Logan traveling to Korea with Baek Jun Ki.

Su Ryeon is also looking for Baek Jun Ki, but Secretary Hong tells her they are watching the tracking device installed on his phone that Logan gave him to use in Korea. As soon as he turns the phone on, they’ll find him,

Little do any of them know, Baek Jun Ki is lurking about in the shadows preparing his move.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Meanwhile, Cheon Seo Young is about to have wild sex with the family driver (read: not her husband). But Seo Jin is waiting for them in the bedroom. Lady Kang, whom Seo Jin called, begs Seo Jin not to reveal what’s happened here.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Seo Jin blackmails them and demands her stepmother sign Cheong Ah and a Myeongdong building back to her. Lady Kang easily stamps the building contract, but can’t do the same for Cheong Ah after finalizing the sale to Su Ryeon.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Downstairs in the lobby, Papa Yoo Dong Pil is plugging the fountain holes with fish.

Next morning, Seo Jin presents a marriage contract to Dan Tae outlining his code of conduct while they are “married.” The rules include not invading each other’s privacy, not eating at the same table, keeping their distance at home, smiling for the public when together, always answering Seo Jin’s calls and Seo Jin having full control over the division of assets. Dan Tae has no choice but to go along with the contract for now.

While Dan Tae is in the shower, Seo Jin installs the handy spy app on his phone.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Up in the penthouse, Seok Hoon is shocked to learn Dan Tae has moved back to Hera Palace. Turns out Seok Kyung was the one that asked for the restraining order to be lifted. She believes their father has every right to live back here after all the charges against him were dropped. Seok Hoon can’t believe that they had escaped their father’s grasp, but are now getting pulled back in.

Su Ryeon says she won’t forbid Seok Kyung from seeing her father, but asks that she think about Rona’s situation. Seok Kyung will absolutely not think about Rona and turns it around on Su Ryeon, saying she hangs out with her own daughter’s murderer so why can’t Rona do the same with her murderer.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Seok Hoon can’t take Seok Kyung’s petulance any more. Seok Kyung yells at her brother, accusing him of caring more about Rona than her. Seok Hoon reminds Seok Kyung of what their father has done to them. But she says she needs her father more.

Seok Kyung yells at Su Ryeon and accuses her and Logan of being the mastermind behind her father’s downfall. Seok Hoon (rightly) slaps Seok Kyung, but it doesn’t knock any sense into her. Su Ryeon tries to come to Seok Kyung’s aid, but Seok Kyung shoves her to the floor and grabs her brother by the collar.

Seok Kyung blames Su Ryeon for turning her and her brother against each other.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Downstairs, Dan Tae tries to harass and threaten Rona. But Rona pepper sprays him and is able to get away.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Over at school, Papa Yoo has sponsored a special party to encourage Jenny and her classmates ahead of the Seoul National University entrance exams. Seok Kyung seethes just seeing Seok Hoon and Rona enjoying some treats.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Meanwhile, Min Hyeok remembers his treatment of Jenny and gets spooked by Papa Yoo letting him know that he’s got his eyes on him. Papa Yoo also intimidates Seok Kyung and lets her know she’s on his radar as well.

New Cheong Ah director Su Ryeon summons Ma Doo Ki to her office and fires him for his involvement in the school’s corruption. He gets on his knees to beg for his job.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Back at Hera, Sang Ah prematurely celebrates being free of her horrible in-laws as Kyu Jin arrives home having been released from prison. Also a downer for her.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Over at the bank, Yoon Hee is led to Logan’s personal vault where she is wowed by the amount of cash and gold stashed here. She takes a couple of stacks of hundred-dollar bills and leaves.

Dan Tae, Kyu Jin and Papa Yoo are enjoying the company of female escorts as they celebrate for the first time together since their release. Dan Tae has an investment scheme to propose to them, which they accept. But Dan Tae is shocked when Yoon Cheol arrives, having been invited by Papa Yoo.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Yoon Cheol says he wants in. He is desperate now and there is no reason to be Mr. Goody Two Shoes any longer. He smashes a bottle on his hand to prove his loyalty to his Hera bros.

Little do they know, Seo Jin has been listening in to this conversation the entire time.

Papa Yoo heads home later where newly released Ma Ri is waiting for her husband so they can celebrate all night long. Jenny has other ideas though and wants the three of them to enjoy some chicken.

While Jenny orders in, Ma Ri warns Papa Yoo not to get involved with the scumbag Dan Tae. But Papa Yoo deflects.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

After Yoon Hee does an impromptu advertisement for the Dualsonic wrinkle device, she heads to her new shop called Yunis where she runs a diet and weight loss program.

Ma Ri and Sang Ah are shocked to see Yoon Hee owns this place and wonders how she even got out of prison. Yoon Hee reminds them Dan Tae and Seo Jin have walked free, while she was released legally.

Ma Ri calls Yoon Hee a murderer. Yoon Hee motions to grab a trophy and Ma Ri thinks she’s about to get murdered. But Yoon Hee merely gives them a scare and subtly warns them to shape up.

Ma Ri and Sang Ah wonder where Yoon Hee got the money for this place. So they approach Su Ryeon and plant seeds of doubt about Yoon Hee’s source of moneys, including implying that Yoon Hee killed Logan.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Su Ryeon snaps at them and warns them to watch their mouth. She takes a peek at the Yunis office and sees Yoon Hee happily consulting new clients, giving Su Ryeon pause.

Over at J.King, Papa Yoo meets with Dan Tae about the Yoon Cheol invitation situation They smooth their misunderstandings out and Papa Yoo takes his leave. Seok Kyung, who had been hiding around the corner, is pleased that her father has control over Papa Yoo. She tells him about Su Ryeon not wanting her to get into Seoul National University and asks her father to ensure Rona fails the entrance exam.

Later, while Dan Tae and Seo Jin are giving an interview for a puff piece, the kids are at Seoul National University for their exam.

Ms. Jin tries to calm Eun Byeol and suggests she take some of her medicine beforehand. Eun Byeol says she’s fine.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Yoon Hee and Rona arrive and Yoon Hee asks to speak privately with Ms. Jin. That leaves Rona and Eun Byeol alone. Rona says she doesn’t want to hear any of Eun Byeol’s excuses. When the twins and Su Ryeon arrive, Rona leaves with Seok Hoon. But Seok Kyung takes the opportunity to taunt Eun Byeol.

Yoon Hee asks Ms. Jin what she’s still doing here taking care of Eun Byeol. Ms. Jin says that is none of Yoon Hee’s business. Yoon Hee asks Ms. Jin when the last time she talked to Logan was and she replies that it was the day Yoon Hee turned herself in.

Ms. Jin returns to Eun Byeol and gives her a handful of medicine. Ms. Jin gets a mysterious text telling her to get the job done right.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

In the restroom, a judge sees Seok Hoon and happily implies that he’s got his back thanks to his father. Seok Hoon storms out without even taking the exam.

Seok Kyung turns her taunting to Jenny and reveals to her that Papa Yoo was not in Dubai, but in prison for murder. Seok Kyung sends her an audio file of Dan Tae and Papa Yoo talking about his imprisonment.

Before the exam, all students are told not to bring in cell phones or voice recorders and to make sure they are not wearing anything that will give away their identity.

During Jenny’s exam, Seok Kyung holds up a sign saying her father is a murderer. This paralyzes Jenny and she runs out without even singing a single note.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Seok Kyung and Rona’s exam performances go well. And Eun Byeol’s does as well. That is until a phone rings in her pocket, which is not allowed. Eun Byeol unlocks the phone to see it belongs to Rona. She storms out, finds Rona and slaps her across the face believing Rona sabotaged her by putting the phone in her blazer.

Turns out it was Ms. Jin, upon orders from Dan Tae, who stole Rona’s cell phone to slip into Eun Byeol’s pocket.

Outside, Dan Tae is waiting for Seok Kyung to take her out to celebrate a good exam. Su Ryeon is shocked to see Seok Kyung happily hopping into the car with Dan Tae.

Su Ryeon gets a call from Secretary Hong who says Baek Jun Ki has turned his cell phone on and they know his location.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

That location ends up being the restaurant where Dan Tae and Seok Kyung are enjoying dinner and her sure acceptance into Seoul National University.

Dan Tae tries brainwashing Seok Kyung about Su Ryeon. Little do they know, Baek Jun Ki is also here at the restaurant ready to shoot at Dan Tae. Su Ryeon arrives just in time, making Jun Ki miss his shot.

Su Ryeon tries to hide Jun Ki around the corner, but Dan Tae seemingly sees them.

Penthouse Season 3 Episode 2 Recap and Review

Episode Thoughts

Okay, this episode might have been a little too much. lol This is probably the episode that tested my patience the most because of two things: Logan’s “older brother” and moving along as if Season 2 did not happen.

First, what the hell are they doing with this Alex Lee fellow. His characterization is obviously problematic and offensive. We can all agree on that. But what is the purpose of this character anyway. Why does Logan need a random older brother pop out of nowhere?

If they’re going with this evil twin twist and this offensive stereotype of a character is actually Logan, then why not just do it that way. I feel like I’ve seen this story before.

Oh wait. It’s because I have. On this show!

Completely out of nowhere and probably the dumbest thing the show has done. If that’s not Logan himself, what’s the point? There is zero point to bring in a new older brother who never existed before. If it’s only about him avenging his brother’s death, that is a completely unnecessary plot thread. So it has to mean Alex is actually Logan and that memory was a fake out.

But them going about it in this way and recycling a story from last season, just lazy. As great as Park Eun Seok can be, this twist was not needed at all.

And that’s my other problem. Episode 301 was pretty good because we were seeing the fallout from the entirety of season two. Seeing them all suffer and whatnot is great to watch.

But now in this episode two, we are seeing the show recycling too many plot threads we’ve already seen on the show: Listening devices, evil twins, singing sabotage. This is all old and familiar ideas for this show.

The only fresh things are the mysteries surrounding Papa Yoo, Ms. Jin and Mr. Baek. Coincidentally, the three new characters for this season. Hopefully they will be catalysts to te everyone’s downfall. And maybe quite literally, the collapse of Hera Palace in the finale. (Just demolish it, to be honest. lol)

Other than them, we’re getting a rehash of the previous two seasons. Even worse, the fact that everyone’s out of jail and back to their normal lives essentially negates everything that happened in season two.

Now, if this were a serious drama though, I’d be upset that they essentially negated 12 episodes worth of story and character development. But this is Penthouse. No common sense necessary.

At the same time (and I have to repeat this every week), Penthouse is a soap opera. Anything and everything will happen. There were a lot more “It’s getting too unrealistic” comments after this episode. But again, we’re all here for the ride. Not to somehow feel more intelligent or advanced after watching it. It’s mindless fun.

That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t still feel emotions and connections with these characters. That you can’t marvel at interesting stories and legitimately exciting twists and turns. You absolutely can. That’s what makes a good show.

But with this show, they were able to balance those things quite well over the first two seasons. Complete madness with its stories, but engaging characters and interesting dynamics between them. This episode completely lost that perfect balance, for some reason.

As for things I actually enjoyed this episode. I am excited to see more of Papa Yoo avenging Jenny for the bullying. But now that Jenny has found out the truth about her father, I am excited to see how they deal with it with relation to Jenny and Ma Ri. Should be good material for them.

Ms. Jin working with Dan Tae is a bit of a surprise. But probably part of someone’s plan I guess.

I hope Yoon Hee keeps Logan’s vault money to herself and not tell Su Ryeon. The more conflict the better of course.

I also liked seeing the kids at school and fighting amongst themselves. Most high school dramas tend to be more serious and proper and set a good example for today’s youth. But here, I want to see these bullies bullying each other. They still haven’t paid for the pain they’ve caused toward several characters. Just let them go at it and let them deal with it themselves.

Happy to see Seok Kyung embracing her inner-Dan Tae (like father, like daughter) and Seok Hoon slapping her. Well deserved. I hope there’s good material there for them.

It was good to see Eun Byeol as well, especially her turning her back on Seo Jin. It’s the right direction to go for their characters.

I honestly could care less about the development embezzlement scheme plot line. It’s season three, we shouldn’t be doing these kinds of things anymore. As this is the final season, let’s get to the big things. Not Dan Tae and friends AGAIN losing out on big development moneys. This has already happened on Penthouse before.

Overall, this might be my least favorite episode of the series so far. Complete nonsense half the time. And the rest of the time, completely recycled and diluted plot threads.

Also, why are these episodes an hour and a half?! It’s exhausting. They’re only airing once a week. But they might as well have aired twice a week with shorter episodes instead.

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