Appearing on the December 8 episode of YouTube channel 짠한형 신동엽 , Ha Jung-woo was joined by castmates Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Dong-wook, and Lee Ha-nee. The actors reminisced about the difficult production process of their film while drinking with host Shin Dong-yup.
The Neighbor Upstairs is Ha’s fourth directorial feature and revolves around a dinner between upstairs and downstairs neighbors (played by Ha Jung-woo & Lee Ha-nee, and Gong Hyo-jin & Kim Dong-wook) triggered by noise complaints, leading to a chaotic, unpredictable night.
But behind the laughter, the production faced serious challenges. Ha admitted that due to the grueling indoor filming schedule, “We didn’t see daylight for five weeks.” Adding to the confusion, Gong revealed that even shortly before filming began, the casting for who would play which couple wasn’t finalized.
The spotlight then turned to Gong Hyo-jin’s role as the no-nonsense enforcer on set. Known for her assertiveness, Gong didn’t hold back after receiving the first draft of the script from Ha. “She gave it a king-sized roast,” Ha joked. “She called me and said, ‘How are you even planning to shoot this, oppa?’”
Though Ha appreciated Gong’s brutally honest feedback — likening her to a producer in spirit — he also admitted it was tough to handle. “She pointed out every weak spot. After the movie wrapped, my appendix burst. I blame her for 80% of that,” he said, laughing.
Adding more color to the dynamic, Ha shared how Lee Ha-nee often played the peacemaker between him and Gong. He jokingly called her a “sister-in-law who loves to stir the pot,” making light of the tense yet humorous set atmosphere.
Despite the creative clashes, the camaraderie among the cast is clear — and it seems their passionate input will translate into a bold, comedic experience for audiences when The Neighbor Upstairs hits theaters.
Sources: Daum
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