Ji Sung's comeback drama 'Apartment' records 4.6% viewership for its first episode

'Apartment' takes its first step as the #1 non-terrestrial drama, peaking at 6.3% in the metropolitan area

The new JTBC weekend drama 'Apartment,' led by actor Ji Sung, shattered viewership records from its very first broadcast. The first episode, aired on the 11th, recorded an average nationwide viewership rating of 4.6% for paid households and 4.9% in the metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea.

The peak viewership in the metropolitan area soared to 6.3%. This figure marks the highest rating for a premiere among non-terrestrial dramas. It surpasses the 3.8% rating of the first episode of 'Chairman Kang,' the previous work starring Ji Sung.

The drama depicts the downfall of Park Hae-kang (played by Ji Sung), a boss who operated 'HK Trading,' a private gambling den in Gangnam, like a corporation, only to lose everything due to the tyranny and abuse of the powerful. In the early stages, Hae-kang showed a ruthless side, collecting money from debtors under strict security. However, he faces the tragedy of his father-like figure, Park Yong-man (played by Jung Jin-young), being detained in a detention center due to pressure from high-ranking police officials. The first episode, which combined director Cho Yong-won's mise-en-scène with writer Kim Yoon-young's dialogue, unfolded with fast-paced momentum.

Park Hae-kang's dangerous plan for 10 billion won: Entering 'True Value State'

The next move chosen by the fallen Park Hae-kang is 'True Value State,' a massive apartment complex with 9,800 households. Needing a massive sum of 10 billion won to save Park Yong-man from detention, Hae-kang targets the 'easy money' hidden within the apartment complex. In the first episode, Hae-kang tracked down 'Lizard' (played by Kim Won-hae), a former apartment manager who disappeared leaving unpaid dues. Lizard confessed to skimming money while managing the apartment, and Hae-kang confirmed through ledger details that a massive amount of funds could exist within the complex.

Hae-kang designs a specific route to secure the 10 billion won. Upon discovering that the apartment's long-term maintenance reserve fund reaches 17.8 billion won, he decides to run for the position of building representative. Lizard explained to him, "First, become a building representative, and then you can become the chairman."

Hae-kang's strategy to get elected is unconventional. He proposed marriage to Kang Ha-ri (played by Ha Yoon-kyung), offering her 100 million won for three months. It is a plan to reclaim the 10 billion won by creating an 'intermittent family.'

Top-tier actors portray corruption and a caper story within an apartment

The weight of the cast also anchors the drama. The lineup includes Ha Yoon-kyung as the sharp-witted aspiring lawyer Kang Ha-ri, Park Byung-eun as the mysterious villain Lee Chung-won, and Moon So-ri as the overwhelming Jang Sook-jin. It is a caper comedy where an apartment, an everyday space, is transformed into a stage for crime.

The work is scheduled for a total of 12 episodes and can also be watched through Netflix. The second episode of JTBC's 'Apartment' will air on the 12th at 10:30 PM.

A star-studded cast including Ji Sung, Ha Yoon-kyung, Park Byung-eun, and Moon So-ri

Colorful characters are intertwined in Park Hae-kang's (played by Ji Sung) mission to reclaim 10 billion won. Aspiring lawyer Kang Ha-ri (played by Ha Yoon-kyung) becomes entangled in an 'intermittent family' relationship after receiving an offer of 100 million won for three months from Park Hae-kang. Park Byung-eun joins as the mysterious villain Lee Chung-won, and Moon So-ri adds weight to the drama as the overwhelming Jang Sook-jin.

The journey into 'True Value State' to reclaim 10 billion won

Park Hae-kang lost everything due to the tyranny of power and faced the tragedy of his father, Park Yong-man, being detained. To save Park Yong-man from the detention center, he heads to 'True Value State,' a massive apartment complex with 9,800 households.

His movements to confirm the massive funds hidden within the apartment also quickened. Hae-kang tracked down the former manager Lizard, who disappeared leaving unpaid dues, and discovered that money had been skimmed through apartment management.

After realizing that the apartment's long-term maintenance reserve fund amounts to 17.8 billion won, Hae-kang decides to run for building representative. Lizard advised him that he must first become a building representative and then become the chairman.