It seems like The Penthouse: War in Life is causing troubles both on-screen and off-screen.
As soon as SBS’s The Penthouse: War in Life premiered on October 26, it has been embroiled in controversy over its provocative development. And some started to say that the filming site has more problems. It has been confirmed that a vehicle that carries props for the drama ran over staff members, a fire broke out at a filming set, and an actor was rushed to the emergency room.
The Penthouse: War in Life is a work that depicts the distorted desires of people living in a 100-story penthouse in the heart of Gangnam. Adults’ twisted greed and shocking crimes by children who grew up watching them appeared every week, sparking controversy. By the second episode, 190 complaints were submitted to the Korea Communications Standards Commission.
The worse problem is that uncomfortable situations where actors and staff’s safety are threatened are repeated on the filming sites.
The first time the over-the-top filming of the drama was first reported in July. Five staff members were injured when a prop vehicle charged to the sidewalk while filming in Bangok-dong, Wonju, Gangwon Province. Then in September, two staff members were injured when a fire broke out. Although it was reported as an “accidental fire,” people at the scene said it was an “explosion.” Because they poured excessive oil on the pop to create a “realistic” scene caused the fire to grow beyond control, eventually injuring the staff.
SBS explained, “After the fire broke out, the production team stopped filming and treated the injured staff. The filming resumed when the safety was promised.” However, an insider said, “It was pure luck that no one died.”
It was also reported that an ambulance was dispatched to the scene when a rookie actor, who has been hung on the wire and pulleys for more than 10 hours, started having difficulties in breathing. It is true that action scenes involving pulleys/wires take a long time to prepare, but normally, stuntmen and actors take their turns to ensure safety.
The first two episodes proved to be a hot topic and recorded 10% viewer ratings, and the third episode garnered 15%, resetting its own best record. But it seems like such achievements are tainted with more and more controversies.
Source (1)