Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Ha Jung-woo’s comedy ‘The People Upstairs’ takes candid look at marriage
Actors Lee Ha-nee, left, and Ha Jung-woo, who also serves as a director, in a scene from the film “The People Upstairs” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio
By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor-director Ha Jung-woo is known not only for his commanding screen presence but also for his growing confidence behind the camera, solidifying his place as one of the leading figures in Korean cinema.
His latest project, "The People Upstairs," showcases both sides of his talent as he directs and stars in a film that offers a surprisingly frank and funny exploration of life together as a married couple.
Adapted from the 2020 Spanish film "Sentimental," the 47-year-old takes on the roles of screenwriter, director and actor in this project. Ha reflected on how his previous directorial roles in "Fasten Your Seatbelt" (2013), "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" (2015) and "Lobby" (2024) shaped his approach to this latest film.
"Thanks to the lessons and experiences gained from 'Lobby' as well as 'Chronicle of a Blood Merchant' and 'Fasten Your Seatbelt,' I have the opportunity to meet the audience with this fourth project,” Ha said after the premiere in Seoul, Tuesday.
"The entire process, ranging from finishing a film to releasing it, meeting the audience, accepting their feedback and learning from the outcome, is continuous. That is how I experience growth, even if it’s just one millimeter at a time."
Actors Kim Dong-wook, left, and Gong Hyo-jin in a scene from the film “The People Upstairs” / Courtesy of BY4M Studio
The movie centers on an awkward dinner party involving two couples. The downstairs couple, Jung-ah (Gong Hyo-jin) and Hyeon-soo (Kim Dong-wook), are suffering from a strained relationship when they decide to invite their upstairs neighbors, Mr. Kim (Ha) and Su-kyeong (Lee Ha-nee).
Known for their loud nightly activities, the upstairs couple quickly steered the conversation toward unexpected and sensitive topics. This shift eventually sparked a confrontation, forcing the downstairs couple to confront their own hidden issues.
The film feels like a stage play, with most of the action confined to the downstairs couple’s apartment during the tense dinner gathering. Its strength lies in the fast-paced and sharp dialogue and the cast’s powerful ensemble performance.
Despite the structure, the director emphasized his focus was on the narrative, not the genre.
"Even though it's structured like a comedy, I didn't think of it purely as a comedy film. Nor did I aim to deliver some plausible message," Ha explained. "I was only focused on collaborating with the actors to skillfully unravel a well-structured story. Watching the original Spanish film, I realized that even if the region and culture are different, people have the same difficulties, the same awkwardness and the same understanding."
Ha said the casting was a careful process as he sought actors who could make the strange plot and formal dialogue sound real, and his first choice was Gong.
"The situation in the scenario has a fantastical aspect, and there is a lot of literary dialogue. I wondered how best to express these lines realistically, and the first person who came to mind was actor Gong," the director said.
From left, actors Kim Dong-wook, Gong Hyo-jin, Lee Ha-nee and Ha Jung-woo pose during a press conference for their movie “The People Upstairs” at a theater in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Gong mentioned the irony of portraying a couple in crisis while both she and Kim are newlyweds in real life.
"We are both newlyweds, so it was difficult to truly understand the downstairs couple," Gong confessed, adding they sought advice from friends who have been married longer and have children.
Actor Lee expressed her fascination with working with Ha as a director and co-star for the first time. She offered a humorous insight into her character's relationship with Ha's character, Mr. Kim.
"They are a remarried couple, so she knows his pros and cons. Unlike a first marriage, she already knows him to the bone and has the will to embrace his flaws,” Lee said.
Though “The People Upstairs” deals with the private lives of married couples, it wisely avoids being too explicit. Instead, it’s a comedy driven entirely by the frank conversation among them.
“The People Upstairs” will hit theaters on Dec. 3.