Native Title	윗집 사람들
Also Know as	People Upstairs, Witjip Saramdeul
Director	Ha Jung-Woo
Writer	Ha Jung-Woo
Distributor	Walk House Company, Sidus
Content Rating	18+ Restricted (violence & profanity)
Runtime	107 minutes (1 hour 47 minutes 19 seconds)
Genre	Dark Comedy, Drama
Language	Korean
Country	South Korea
Release Date	2025-12-03

"The People Upstairs" is a witty chamber comedy-drama that transforms everyday neighborly annoyances into a boundary-pushing exploration of relationships, intimacy, and societal norms. Directed by and starring Ha Jung-woo, this film reunites him with Gong Hyo-jin after 13 years, delivering sharp humor and heartfelt revelations in a single-location setup.

Overview

"The People Upstairs" (Korean: 윗집 사람들, lit. "The People Upstairs") is a 2025 South Korean comedy-drama film written and directed by Ha Jung-woo, marking his fourth directorial effort. Produced by Sidus and Walk House Company with cinematography by Jung-o So and production design by Ellen Park, the film runs for 108 minutes and is rated 15+ for mature themes. Principal photography took place from January 7 to February 8, 2025. It had its world premiere in the Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on September 18, 2025, with screenings through September 21. The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in South Korea in December 2025, handled internationally by Filmax.

Plot Synopsis

The story unfolds in a cramped apartment building where downstairs couple Jung-ah (Gong Hyo-jin) and Hyun-soo (Kim Dong-wook) – a repressed pair sleeping in separate rooms – endure relentless nightly disturbances from their overly passionate upstairs neighbors, Mr. Kim (Ha Jung-woo) and Su-kyeong (Lee Ha-nee). The moans, thumps, and shouts disrupt their stagnant marriage, prompting Hyun-soo to demand silence. Surprisingly, Jung-ah – revealing the upstairs duo as her favorite online therapists – invites them for a reconciliatory dinner instead of confrontation. What starts as awkward pleasantries spirals into chaotic, boundary-crossing revelations: candid confessions about desires, kinks, and marital frustrations erupt into a verbal "sword dance" of humor and discomfort. As the evening progresses with provocative proposals – like partner-swapping suggestions – the film delves into the couples' innermost thoughts, challenging conservative views on intimacy while ultimately affirming monogamy and personal growth through rhythmic dialogue and bold gestures.

Cast & Characters

Ha Jung-woo as Mr. Kim: The charismatic, unabashed upstairs husband nicknamed "Pikachu" for his playful energy.
Lee Ha-nee as Su-kyeong: The composed, enigmatic upstairs wife and online therapist, whose calm demeanor hides an eagerness for unconventional experiences.
Gong Hyo-jin as Jung-ah: The kind-hearted downstairs wife, unsettled yet intrigued by the upstairs pair's openness.
Kim Dong-wook as Hyun-soo: The weary, strait-laced downstairs husband, exasperated by the noise and his wife's hospitality.

Reception

BIFF Premiere Buzz

Fresh off its BIFF premiere on September 18, 2025, "The People Upstairs" has earned positive early buzz as a cheeky, relatable sex comedy.

Acclaimed Dialogue-Driven Humor

Critics praise its breezy pace and dialogue-driven humor:

Ha Jung-woo's Directorial Triumph

Critics hail Ha Jung-woo's film as his "most adept" directorial work, delivering a "wholesome" farce that normalizes kinks while reinforcing family values, with "big laughs at the expense of the prudish."

Critics Highlights Stage-Like Intimacy

Some critics highlighted its stage-like intimacy and adaptation of Cesc Gay's "Sentimental," noting the hilarious dinner-party escalation.

Audience Applause at BIFF Talks

At BIFF open talks, audiences lauded the cast's synergy and Ha Jung-woo's "sharp observations," positioning it as a festival standout.

Strong Commercial Potential

Early sentiment compares it to Korean remakes like "Intimate Strangers," with expectations for strong commercial appeal due to its urban relatability.

Fun Facts & Highlights

Ha Jung-woo's Directorial Milestone

This marks Ha Jung-woo's fourth feature as director, blending his incisive observational humor with added elements like yoga and cooking scenes to enrich the Spanish original, "Sentimental."

Star Reunion After 13 Years

Ha Jung-woo and Gong Hyo-jin reunite on screen since "Love Fiction," with Gong Hyo-jin noting the pressure to impress him as a director while praising his evolved comedic confidence.

Lee Ha-nee's Pregnancy Amid Filming

Filmed sequentially in one location, Lee Ha-nee maintained high energy during her early second pregnancy, earning Gong Hyo-jin's heartfelt shoutout as a "mental coach" who brightened the dark set.

BIFF Premiere Spotlight

World premiered at BIFF with GV sessions, where Ha Jung-woo emphasized life's fun mantra, and the cast shared laughs over the film's provocative yet wholesome tone.

Relatable Urban Satire

Taps into 2025's widespread discussions on inter-floor noise in Korean apartments, turning everyday frustration into a "mischievous farce" with cameos from industry friends.

Technical Confidence

Ha Jung-woo's growing skills shine in the single-apartment setup, creating a "dense, provocative chamber drama" through rhythmic editing and bold performances.

Final Thoughts

"The People Upstairs" is a delightfully audacious comedy that turns neighborly gripes into a mirror for modern relationships, proving Ha Jung-woo's dual talents as actor-director. With its stellar cast delivering razor-sharp banter and genuine vulnerability, the film dares to flirt with taboos while landing on an affirming note about love's quirks. Relatable, risqué, and refreshingly light-hearted, it's the perfect escapist fare for anyone navigating the chaos of close-quarters living.

Where to Watch

Festival Debut

"The People Upstairs" premiered at the 30th Busan International Film Festival from September 18-21, 2025, with screenings at Lotte Cinema Centum City. It will hit South Korean theaters in December 2025.

Main Role

Ha Jung-Woo

Gong Hyo-Jin

Kim Dong-Wook

Lee Ha-Nee

Gallery

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