Netflix’s latest Korean drama The Apartment Job has arrived, and viewers are already talking about its star-studded lineup. The comedy series brings together some of South Korea’s most respected actors for a story about crime, corruption, and unexpected heroism.
The show premiered on July 11, 2026, on both JTBC and Netflix worldwide. It follows a former gang boss who runs for residents’ council president to steal an apartment complex’s reserve fund, only to uncover deep corruption instead.
Ji Sung Leads as Former Gang Boss Park Hae-kang
Ji Sung takes on the lead role of Park Hae-kang, a former boss of the Oasis Gang known for his legendary 0 percent uncollected debt record. His character enters the apartment complex with a hidden goal: raise 10 billion won (approximately $6.6 million) to save Yong-man, a father figure who needs help.
Park Hae-kang runs for residents’ council president to get his hands on the building’s hidden money. Along the way, he teams up with residents to expose wrongdoing and corruption.
At the production presentation on July 10, Ji Sung shared his thoughts on the character. He explained that Park Hae-kang grew up without parents and stepped up to save his only supporter, Yong-man.
“Through the apartment, he learns to see the bright side of the world by witnessing how real people live,” Ji Sung said.
He also mentioned that the drama is not a serious crime story but rather a tale set in a large apartment complex, something people encounter in daily life. The actor described the appeal of forming a fake family and teaming up with others.
Ji Sung is well-known for his roles in The Judge Returns, Protect the Boss, Kill Me, Heal Me, and Feng Shui.
Ha Yoon-kyung Plays Aspiring Lawyer Kang Ha-ri
Ha Yoon-kyung stars as Kang Ha-ri, a character who dreams of becoming a lawyer at the major law firm WePartners. In reality, she works part-time at the firm’s free legal consultation desk.
Kang Ha-ri becomes entangled with Park Hae-kang after lying to her sister about securing a job at WePartners. Her character shows independent charm through sharp and precise diction.
This marks Ha Yoon-kyung’s first leading role in a drama. She previously appeared in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Undercover Miss Hong.
At the production presentation, Ha Yoon-kyung shared her experience working with the cast.
“At first, I thought if I did well, it would be fine, but the seniors were so good that I let go of the pressure and enjoyed filming,” she said.
She also mentioned her experience playing a fake couple with Ji Sung. The actor praised her work, saying she did such a great job as the fake wife that he could rely on her.
Ha Yoon-kyung is also known for her roles in Undercover Miss Hong, See You in My 19th Life, and Gyeong-ah’s Daughter.
Park Byung-eun Takes on Complex Villain Role
Park Byung-eun plays Lee Choong-won, the CEO of a construction company and a penthouse resident. His character has looks, wealth, eloquence, and wit.
Lee Choong-won initially appears warm and relaxed. But he soon reveals a sharper, colder side when he conflicts with Park Hae-kang over the maintenance fund.
Park Byung-eun described his character as someone who grew up poor under a single mother after being forcibly evicted. This background gave Lee Choong-won ambition and greed.
“He’s different from typical villains,” Park Byung-eun said at the production presentation. “It was sad to act out harming someone. The process of expressing complex emotions was intriguing, and this work is truly precious to me.”
The actor hinted at the character’s many layers, noting that he saw six or seven different sides to Lee Choong-won while reading the script.
Park Byung-eun is also known for his roles in Lobby, Decibel, and In Our Prime.
Moon So-ri Brings Energy as Meddling Resident
Moon So-ri stars as Jang Sook-jin, a well-known busybody who never has enough time in the day. Her character knows the ins and outs of life inside and outside the apartment complex.
Jang Sook-jin spends her days meddling in other people’s business, trying to know who’s doing what. Moon So-ri delivers a highly engaging performance from her first line.
At the production presentation, Moon So-ri explained why she joined the project.
“Many excellent actors I wanted to work with were cast, so I joined willingly,” she said. “Playing a character who throws herself into everything was physically demanding.”
Director Jo Yong-won praised Moon So-ri’s performance, calling her external transformation a major highlight.
Moon So-ri is well-known for her roles in Oasis, When Life Gives You Tangerines, and Queenmaker.
Supporting Cast Adds Depth to the Series
The supporting cast of The Apartment Job brings additional layers to the story.
Kim Won Hae plays a character named Lizard. Hwang Hee appears as Je Gi. Jung Soon Won takes on the role of Gyeong Nam. Baek Sung Hyun stars as Seo Gang Won. Jung Seung Gil plays Choi Yeong Jae.
Additional cast members include Ryu Hyun Kyung as Kang Ha Jeong, Jung Yi Rang as Seo Jun’s mother, Son Ji Yoon as Ru I’s mother, and Kim Kyu Won as Big Guy. Kim Taek appears in an undisclosed role.
Jung Jin-young plays Yong-man, the father figure Park Hae-kang tries to save.
Behind the Scenes and Production Details
The Apartment Job is written by Kim Yoon-young and directed by Jo Yong-won. The production companies behind the show are Red Nine Pictures and SLL.
Director Jo Yong-won expressed confidence in the cast during the production presentation.
“Ji Sung convincingly portrayed a character with many turning points, and Ha Yoon-kyung was Kang Ha-ri herself,” the director said. “Park Byung-eun perfectly played the villain with off-beat acting, and Moon So-ri’s external transformation is a major highlight—seeing her walk in, I thought, ‘It’s done.’”
The cast showed respect for Ji Sung as the drama’s lead. Ha Yoon-kyung revealed that Ji Sung’s support helped her through the filming process.
The production team previously released character posters with an election campaign concept. Each of the four main characters showcased their individual pledges and personalities.
Park Hae Kang’s poster read: “I will become a companion to all residents.” Kang Ha Ri’s pledge stated: “I will become the hands and feet of all residents.” Lee Choong Won promoted: “I will become the pride of all residents.” Jang Sook Jin’s poster declared: “I will become the voice of all residents.”
The production team said the series portrays a dynamic ensemble of multi-dimensional characters with no overlapping roles.
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Strong Premiere Ratings and Audience Response
The Apartment Job debuted with strong ratings in South Korea. The first episode scored 4.6 percent in viewership ratings. This number beat the premiere of Reborn Rookie, which started at 3.7 percent before reaching double digits by the end of its season.
The drama airs every Saturday and Sunday on JTBC. Netflix streams the series globally for international audiences.
The show has 12 episodes in total. The first two episodes are already streaming on Netflix. New episodes release weekly on Saturdays and Sundays until August 16, 2026.
Each episode runs for about 70 minutes.
The original Korean title is Apateu (아파트), which simply means “Apartment.” Some viewers have noted the title sounds like the popular song by Rosé and Bruno Mars.
The Apartment Job blends comedy, mystery, and social conflict within a community setting. The story tackles themes of corruption, neighbor relationships, and a former gangster’s journey toward becoming an unexpected local hero.
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