[HanCinema's News] KCSC Issues Warning Regarding "The Penthouse"

On December 16th the Korean Communication Standards Communication made an official statement regarding "The Penthouse" and its depiction of violence against children. "The Penthouse" deals with various parents, many of whom live in a giant expensive penthouse, and their often extreme behavior designed to help their children become opera singers. The KCSC was critical of the drama, stating that "The Penthouse" had needlessly exposed younger viewers toward extreme cruelty against children.

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While the chief offending scenes in question occurred fairly early in the drama's run, the KSCS's criticism was prompted by the prospect of rebroadcasts of the the scenes in question on daytime television. The specific actions criticized include a series of scenes where middle school students kidnap and brutalize a tutor who is the same age as themselves. In addition to violence the victimized character in question was also doused in alcohol and had her humiliation documented with photographs.

The unanimous decision by all nine board members will result in these earlier episodes of "The Penthouse" having their ratings upgraded to prevent being broadcast in the daytime. SBS had already upgraded the ratings of "The Penthouse" voluntarily starting with the fourth episode earlier this year, though the first three episodes were still listed as appropriate for middle school aged viewers. "The Penthouse" airs on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Written by William Schwartz

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"The Penthouse" is directed by Joo Dong-min, written by Kim Soon-ok, and features Lee Ji-ah, Kim So-yeon, Eugene, Uhm Ki-joon, Kim Young-dae, Han Ji-hyun. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/10/26~Now airing, Mon, Tue 22:00 on SBS.