Ji Sung's 'Apartment' sets July 11 premiere as JTBC navigates financial crisis

Apartment premieres July 11 at 10:40 PM, taking over from New Employee Chairman Kang, which hit 11% nationwide in its eighth episode and peaked at 12% per-minute (Nielsen Korea, paid households).

Ji Sung plays Park Hae-gang, a former gang boss who runs for apartment building council chairman to recover misappropriated funds. He ends up fighting corruption with the residents instead. Ha Yun-kyung, Park Byung-eun, and Moon So-ri complete the main cast. Kim Yun-young wrote the script (Revenge Has Returned). Director Jo Yong-won won the Seoul Drama Awards directing prize for Finding a Child.

A third teaser arrived June 25 on YouTube. The production presentation switched to online format after originally being planned as an in-person event (the predecessor drama held its press conference at The Drink Hotel in Guro-gu, Seoul on May 28). The production team said the change was "decided after reviewing multiple options" and "unrelated to the current company situation." Ji Sung's agency notified fans that on-site support, including rice wreaths, wouldn't be possible at the venue.

The timing is difficult to separate from context. JTBC declared default on June 12 after failing to repay 20.6 billion won in securitized borrowings. On June 14, parent Joong Ang Holdings and affiliates Contentree Joong Ang, Joong Ang P&I, and Megabox Joong Ang filed for court rehabilitation. JTBC itself followed on June 15. The network also submitted a request on June 14 to defer the rehabilitation commencement ruling and signaled interest in the Autonomous Restructuring Support (ARS) program. Another JTBC drama in development, Rediscovery of Love, halted filming ten days after casting its lead, citing script revision.

JTBC denied rumors that Divorce Deliberation Camp, Knowing Bros, and Talk Reporter 25 would suspend filming, calling those reports "groundless."

Apartment airs Saturdays at 10:40 PM and Sundays at 10:30 PM on JTBC.