On November 25, the media screening and press conference for The People Upstairs was held at Megabox COEX in Seoul. The event was attended by cast members Ha Jung-woo, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Dong-wook, and Honey Lee.
Directed by Ha Jung-woo, this film is his fourth directorial effort. The plot follows two couples the upstairs pair (played by Ha Jung-woo and Honey Lee) and the downstairs duo (Gong Hyo-jin and Kim Dong-wook) who end up sharing an unpredictable dinner together after nightly disturbances from upstairs noise lead to confrontation and chaos.
Gong Hyo-jin and Honey Lee’s collaboration marks a long-awaited reunion since their drama Pasta. Reminiscing, Gong shared, “It must’ve been around 2011. It’s been so long. Even back then, watching Honey work so hard, I thought she had the heart and grace of a Miss Universe. A person full of beauty, empathy, and dedication. I remember thinking, ‘People like her actually exist.’”
She added, “The more I got to know her, the more I felt like she was someone I’d love to have as a neighbor. Someone you can just drop in on, share good food with. We’re three years apart I’m older but we’ve always supported each other. During filming, Honey was sitting right in front of me, and just three days into shooting, she made a big announcement that she was pregnant. I was genuinely shocked.”
Gong continued, “Even while struggling with morning sickness in front of a table full of food, she powered through. I kept wondering how she could do it. Early pregnancy is so tough, yet she gave it her all. I think she had the hardest time out of all of us.”
Honey Lee responded warmly, recalling their earlier collaboration: “During Pasta, I was just a rookie. Watching Gong Hyo-jin act, I was mesmerized. I remember thinking, ‘If I ever become a good actress, I want to work with her again.’ So when this script came along, it felt perfect. It’s rare to find a film where two actresses can shine together.”
She added, “This film wouldn’t be what it is without Hyo-jin. She played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the story. We had many conversations about what tone and energy the film should carry, and she was like a producer in spirit.”
With heartfelt mutual admiration and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, The People Upstairs promises to deliver not just laughs and drama, but also a powerful testament to the dedication of its cast.
Sources: Daum
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