'Penthouse 3: War in Life': Seo-jin playing a double game, new theory shines light on motive

Seo-jin maybe seen as a villian, but her motives might shock you!
 Kim So-Yeon as Seo-jin in 'Penthouse 3: War in Life' (Instagram/ sbsdrama.official)
Kim So-Yeon as Seo-jin in 'Penthouse 3: War in Life' (Instagram/ sbsdrama.official)

Just when fans began to have faith in Seo-jin (Kim So-yeon) as a character, she seems to have gone ahead and done something that flips the script entirely. This is what makes her such a compelling and complex character on 'Penthouse 3: War in Life'.

Although she was the one who killed Yoon-hee (Eugene), she was also Logan Lee's (Park Eun-Seok) savior. But it turns out, the connection between Yoon-hee and Seo-jin isn't over yet. If you're looking for other engaging K-drama titles to check out, you might want to consider 'Mad for Each Other,' 'Nevertheless,' and 'Mine'.

READ MORE

'Penthouse 3: War in Life' Episode 6: Fans in shock as Seo-jin saved Logan Lee from death

'Penthouse 3: War in Life' Episode 5: Fans go gaga over Kim Hyun-soo's performance as Ro-na

Finding out that Seo-jin was the person who saved Logan Lee came as the ultimate shock to fans, especially seeing that she was the one to push Yoon-hee to her death. While there have been several theories going around about her having saved Yoon-hee, this seems rather unlikely. But now, an interesting fan theory points out that Seo-jin saving Logan ties back to Yoon-hee.

Seo-jin's hate for Dan-tae (Um Ki-joon) is not surprising - he took her wealth and her daughter away from her, and now, she wants nothing but to bring him down. Fan have seen her plot and plan, but there has never been clarity regarding her schemes and whose side she is truly on.

However, YouTuber Drama Hyung happens to have an interesting theory about what Seo-jin is up to. As they explain it, Seo-jin's end game is possibly destroying Dan-tae, and ever since she got her freedom back, she has been keeping tabs on him. This ultimately led to Logan Lee being on her lookout as well. When Seo-jin realised the lengths Logan was going to get Joon-Ki (On Joo-Wan) to South Korea, she knew he would be an essential part in her plan and thus kept a watch on him.

What happens next is revealed in the series - Seo-jin knew of Dan-tae's plan to kill Logan and save him and fake his death. While she kept Logan alive, he was more of a pawn that she could use later. Seo-jin's goal has always been the Cheong A Arts Centre, and when Yoon-hee proved that she was the rightful director of the centre as she had the most shares, Seo-jin saw red. But she decided to play it smart and barter Logan for Yoon-hee's shares.



 

This would have gone according to plan, but during Eun-byeol's (Choi Ye-Bin) kidnapping, it's possible that Seo-jin had a moment of weakness and jealously, which led her to kill Yoon-hee, despite working together. The theory states that with her guilt eating her up on the inside, Seo-jin decides to see her last deal with Yoon-hee through and keep Logan alive, so that he can take down Dan-tae. If this theory is true, it helps redeem Seo-jin's character.

What do you think? What was the actual reason behind Seo-jin's actions? Sound off in the comments below!

Catch 'Penthouse 3: War in Life' on Fridays at 10 pm KST on SBS and can be streamed on Viki.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Gregory’s classroom needs help as ‘Abbott Elementary’ prepares to welcome two familiar TV faces.
2026-10-19T16:32:28.000Z
Jackson Lamb’s next mission takes shape as ‘Slow Horses’ expands its cast ahead of Season 6’s finale.
2026-10-19T14:50:03.000Z
Trina Vega’s story is far from over as Daniella Monet looks ahead to more ‘Hollywood Arts’ episodes.
2026-10-19T13:37:18.000Z
Season 2 of ‘Marshals’, starring Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, airs every Monday on CBS
2026-10-19T10:49:26.000Z
Eric Dane debuted as Mark Sloan in 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 2 as the hospital’s plastic surgeon
2026-10-19T09:10:40.000Z
'Ted Lasso,' starring Jason Sudeikis, is currently streaming on Apple TV
2026-10-19T08:16:24.000Z
'The Simpsons' airs new episodes every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX
2026-10-19T06:41:56.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ hired a real firefighter as an extra in Season 1, and he went on to become one of its longest-serving stars, appearing in over 250 episodes
2026-10-19T05:26:18.000Z
Season 4 of ‘Tracker’, starring Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, airs every Sunday on CBS
2026-10-19T04:45:23.000Z
The untitled series follows a young woman whose beliefs are challenged by new ideas and relationships
2026-10-19T03:35:07.000Z