Actor and director Ha Jung-woo continues to establish himself as a prominent multi-talented figure in Korean cinema with his latest project, "The People Upstairs." The film demonstrates both his acting prowess and his evolving directorial skills while delivering a surprisingly honest and humorous look at the complexities of married life. This marks Ha's fourth directorial effort, following his previous works "Fasten Your Seatbelt" (2013), "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" (2015), and "Lobby" (2024).
"The People Upstairs" is an adaptation of the 2020 Spanish film "Sentimental," with the 47-year-old Ha taking on multiple roles as screenwriter, director, and lead actor. Speaking at the film's premiere in Seoul on Tuesday, Ha reflected on how his previous directorial experiences shaped his approach to this latest project. "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 explained.
The veteran filmmaker emphasized the importance of continuous learning in his creative process. "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," he noted during the post-premiere discussion.
The film's plot centers around an uncomfortable dinner party that brings together two couples living in the same apartment building. The downstairs couple, Jung-ah (played by Gong Hyo-jin) and Hyeon-soo (Kim Dong-wook), are experiencing significant strain in their relationship when they decide to invite their upstairs neighbors for dinner. The upstairs couple consists of Mr. Kim (Ha Jung-woo) and Su-kyeong (Lee Ha-nee), who are notorious among their neighbors for their loud nighttime activities.
What begins as a seemingly polite social gathering quickly transforms into an evening of unexpected revelations and uncomfortable truths. The upstairs couple, particularly known for their boisterous behavior, begins steering the dinner conversation toward increasingly sensitive and personal topics. This shift in dialogue creates mounting tension that eventually erupts into direct confrontation, forcing the downstairs couple to face their own unresolved marital issues that they had been avoiding.
The film's structure resembles that of a theatrical stage play, with the majority of the action confined to the intimate setting of the downstairs couple's apartment during the tense dinner gathering. This confined setting intensifies the drama and allows the audience to focus entirely on the character interactions and dialogue. The movie's primary strengths lie in its rapid-fire, razor-sharp dialogue and the cast's exceptionally strong ensemble performance, which brings authenticity to the increasingly awkward situations.
Despite the film's comedic framework, director Ha emphasized that his primary focus was on storytelling rather than adhering to specific genre conventions. "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 to the audience. "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."
The casting process for the film required careful consideration, as Ha needed actors capable of making the unusual plot elements and formal dialogue sound natural and believable. His first choice for the role of Jung-ah was Gong Hyo-jin, whose acting abilities he felt were perfectly suited to the material. "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 explained.
Interestingly, both Gong Hyo-jin and Kim Dong-wook faced a unique challenge in portraying a couple experiencing marital difficulties, as both actors are newlyweds in their personal lives. Gong acknowledged this irony during the press conference, stating, "We are both newlyweds, so it was difficult to truly understand the downstairs couple." To overcome this challenge, both actors sought advice from friends who have been married longer and have children, allowing them to bring more authentic portrayals to their troubled characters.
Actress Lee Ha-nee shared her experience working with Ha Jung-woo in his dual capacity as both director and co-star, describing it as a fascinating professional experience. She provided insight into her character Su-kyeong's relationship dynamics with Ha's character Mr. Kim, explaining the complexity of their remarried status. "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 explained, highlighting the mature understanding that exists between the characters.
While "The People Upstairs" delves deeply into the private and intimate aspects of married couples' lives, the film maintains a tasteful approach by avoiding overly explicit content. Instead, the movie functions as a character-driven comedy that derives its entertainment value entirely from the frank, unfiltered conversations between the four main characters as they navigate increasingly uncomfortable social territory.
"The People Upstairs" is scheduled to be released in theaters nationwide on December 3, giving audiences the opportunity to experience Ha Jung-woo's latest directorial vision and witness the ensemble cast's compelling portrayal of modern marriage complexities.
