What happens when apartment noise disputes turn into dinner-table chaos? Actor-director Ha Jungwoo takes the familiar theme of neighborly tension and flips it into a comedy.

The film The Upstairs Neighbors held its open talk on September 19 at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), with cast members Ha Jungwoo, Gong Hyojin, and Kim Dongwook meeting audiences ahead of its official release. The movie was invited to BIFF's Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere section.

A Fresh Take on a Familiar Story

Originally based on a Spanish film, The Upstairs Neighbors unfolds entirely within a single space yet promises a dynamic storyline. Ha Jungwoo, directing his fourth feature following Rollercoaster (2013), Chronicle of a Blood Merchant (2015), and Lobby (2025), said:

"It's a one-space story, but still so colorful. I thought, 'If done well, this could really be fun.' I'm grateful to have another chance to direct."

The film features a four-actor ensemble: Ha Jungwoo as the carefree husband Kim Sun-sang, Lee Honey as his psychiatrist wife Sookyung, Gong Hyojin and Kim Dongwook as the downstairs couple struggling with newlywed boredom. Their dinner gathering spirals into unexpected conflict.

Chemistry and Memorable Scenes

This marks Ha Jungwoo and Gong Hyojin's reunion 13 years after Love Fiction. Gong shared: "I felt I needed to show growth since our last project. Playing such a different couple made me reflect on marriage itself — audiences will definitely relate."

The cast praised Lee Honey's performance, noting her dedication even while pregnant. Gong Hyojin recalled, "She delivered lines for over 10 hours without faltering, keeping the whole cast steady." Ha added, "She anchored the rest of us like support underwater. It revealed a whole new side of her."

Kim Dongwook teased, "There are so many funny moments, from Ha Jungwoo's first entrance to the couples' private exchanges. You'll discover a different Ha Jungwoo." Gong also highlighted an acro yoga scene filmed in slow motion for extra comic effect.

A Message Beyond Comedy

Ha Jungwoo borrowed a line from his character to leave audiences with a thought: "Life should be fun. It sounds cliché, but the older you get, the more important it feels. I hope people enjoy the moment, enjoy today."

The Upstairs Neighbors opens in theaters this December, promising laughter and sharp insights into love, marriage, and the chaos of everyday life.