| Native Title | 윗집 사람들 |
| Also Know as | People Upstairs, Witjip Saramdeul |
| Director | Ha Jung-Woo |
| Writer | Ha Jung-Woo |
| Distributor | BY4M Studio |
| Air Time | Wednesday |
| Content Rating | 18+ Restricted (violence & profanity) |
| Runtime | 107 minutes |
| 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.
"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.
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.
Fresh off its BIFF premiere on September 18, 2025, "The People Upstairs" has earned positive early buzz as a cheeky, relatable sex comedy.
Critics praise its breezy pace and dialogue-driven humor:
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."
Some critics highlighted its stage-like intimacy and adaptation of Cesc Gay's "Sentimental," noting the hilarious dinner-party escalation.
At BIFF open talks, audiences lauded the cast's synergy and Ha Jung-woo's "sharp observations," positioning it as a festival standout.
Early sentiment compares it to Korean remakes like "Intimate Strangers," with expectations for strong commercial appeal due to its urban relatability.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ha Jung-woo's growing skills shine in the single-apartment setup, creating a "dense, provocative chamber drama" through rhythmic editing and bold performances.
"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.
"The People Upstairs" premiered at the 30th Busan International Film Festival on September 17, 2025.
In South Korean theaters from December 3, 2025.
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