Three months after its theatrical release, the Korean film 'The People Upstairs' is finally set to meet global audiences on Netflix on March 26.
Originally released in December of last year, 'The People Upstairs' tells an unpredictable story that unfolds when a couple living downstairs invites their noisy upstairs neighbors over for dinner after enduring nightly disturbances of a rather “different” kind. The film stars Ha Jung Woo and Honey Lee as the upstairs couple, while Gong Hyo Jin and Kim Dong Wook portray the downstairs pair.
The film, which premiered on December 3, drew approximately 540,000 moviegoers. Directed by Ha Jung Woo - known for works such as 'Rollercoaster' (2013), 'Chronicle of a Blood Merchant' (2015), and 'Lobby' (2025) - the movie is characterized by its quirky characters, witty dialogue, and distinctive humor.
The story poses an intriguing question: “Do couples really make love every night? Don’t you want to be honest too?” Jung Ah (Gong Hyo Jin) and Hyun Soo (Kim Dong Wook) are a long-married couple whose once-passionate relationship has faded into a dull routine. Their biggest frustration lately comes from their overly energetic upstairs neighbors, Mr. Kim (Ha Jung Woo) and Soo Kyung (Honey Lee), whose nightly noise proves impossible to ignore. After enduring the sounds for some time, Jung Ah invites the upstairs couple to dinner as a gesture of courtesy—only for the evening to take an unexpected turn when the guests propose something entirely unforeseen.
A Fully Set-Based Production Highlighting Actor Chemistry
At a press screening held on November 25 at Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, the cast shared insights into the film.
Ha Jung Woo reflected on his growth as both an actor and director, stating, “I don’t know what opportunities will come in the future, but releasing a film, meeting audiences, and accepting the results is always an ongoing process. Through that, I feel like I grow and learn little by little.” He added that he gave his best to the project, just as he had with his previous works, emphasizing the collaborative effort with his fellow actors.
Honey Lee described working with Ha Jung Woo as “extremely interesting,” noting that the film was shot entirely on a set. “There are no grand CG effects or flashy editing techniques. It was a project where the actors’ energy, harmony, and the texture of the dialogue were crucial,” she said, adding that the cast prepared with heightened sensitivity and precision.
Kim Dong Wook recalled that Gong Hyo Jin led many discussions about portraying realistic married life. “Rather than the idealized versions of couples we often imagine in dramas or films, we wanted to explore what real-life couples look like when they fall into a rut,” he explained.
Gong Hyo Jin also shared that she drew inspiration from real-life stories. “I listened to many accounts from friends who have been married for a long time and tried to understand the ups and downs of married life,” she said.
A Bold Choice: Full-Length Subtitles
In an unusual move, 'The People Upstairs' features Korean subtitles throughout the entire film. This decision was made to enhance clarity in a dialogue-heavy story set largely within a single space.
Ha Jung Woo explained, “I’ve often heard that dialogue in Korean films can be hard to catch. This film, in particular, has a lot of dialogue, and we didn’t want audiences to miss any important lines or nuances. That’s why we decided to include subtitles from beginning to end.”
With its heavy reliance on dialogue, the film aims to preserve the subtlety and flavor of its lines while helping viewers fully engage with the story.
Now set for its Netflix release, 'The People Upstairs' invites audiences once again into a private domestic space filled with sharp exchanges and unexpected communication. For those curious about how this intimate, dialogue-driven story unfolds, it may be worth a watch.
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