Netflix's new K-dramedy, 'The Apartment Job,' introduces a convoluted heist plot centered around a charismatic CEO of a seemingly legitimate investment firm that secretly operates an illegal gambling den for high-net-worth clients. The series, set against the backdrop of Seoul's towering apartment complexes, follows CEO Park Hae-gang as he navigates the dangerous underworld of organized crime and corrupt officials.
Park Hae-gang, portrayed by Ji Sung, manages to keep law enforcement at bay through bribes and by serving as a courier for the exclusive "One Club," a group of top officials. His efforts are not just for personal gain but also to support his loyal employees, including Kyung-nam, "Big Guy," and Je-gil, and to protect Park Yong-man, the aging former boss of the gambling ring who acts as a father figure.
The narrative takes a critical turn when the police commissioner, eager to join the One Club, demands 10 billion won for entry. When Park is approached with this astronomical sum, his initial hesitation is met with a raid on the gambling den, resulting in the arrest of his key associates and Yong-man being held as collateral. Park is given three months to procure the funds for Yong-man's release.
In his desperate search for the money, Park enlists the help of Kang Ha-ri, played by Ha Yoon-kyung, a young woman working at a legal aid office. She agrees to pose as Park's fake bride for a scheme. Meanwhile, Park's investigation into a high-spending client, nicknamed "The Lizard," reveals that the client has been skimming from his apartment complex's construction fund, presenting Park with a potential avenue to acquire the necessary 10 billion won.
The series draws comparisons to heist dramas like 'Money Heist,' aiming for a humorous take on the genre. The central premise suggests that viewers are meant to root for Park and his crew, depicted as protagonists in a conflict against corrupt businessmen and officials. The plan involves Park running for the head of the residents' association in a new apartment development, intending to access and siphon funds from its construction budget.
However, 'The Apartment Job' is noted for its numerous moving parts and a complex web of characters and subplots, particularly in its initial episodes. The show juggles Park's crew, the mysterious One Club and its leader, and the subplot involving Ha-ri and her sister Ha-jeong, who may be involved in illicit activities at her own workplace. The intricate plotting, which questions who is skimming from whom, sets the stage for a larger heist targeting the construction fund. Ha-ri is expected to play a continued role in these endeavors.
A standout performance mentioned is Ha Yoon-kyung as Ha-ri, whose reactions to the antics of Park's crew add comedic value. The series is described as having no explicit content. The overarching tension is established as Park contemplates his plan to embezzle 10 billion won from the apartment complex's construction fund, with fireworks symbolizing the potential success of his scheme.
Other notable cast members include Park Byung-eun as construction executive Lee Chung-won and Moon So-ri as Jang Suk-jin, a resident raising questions about the construction fund's unusual surplus. The review suggests that while the show has potential, it needs to focus on its central heist to avoid getting lost in its many narrative threads. The call is to "Stream It," with the hope that the series will streamline its storytelling moving forward.