South Korean actor Ha Jung-woo is returning with his third film as a director, “Lobby,” slated for release next week. Ha, who attracted over 100 million moviegoers by 2018, has struggled at the box office since the COVID-19 pandemic. His recent films, including “The Closet” (1.27 million viewers), “Ransomed” (1.05 million), “Road to Boston” (1.02 million), “Hijack 1971″ (1.77 million), and “Nocturnal” (190,000), all failed to break even. Audiences also grew tired of his similar roles. After five consecutive box office disappointments, Ha is now seeking redemption as the director of “Lobby.”
In his latest film, Ha directs and stars as Chang-wook, a startup CEO trying to secure a 4 trillion-won government project. To do so, he enters the world of golf-based lobbying. After rival CEO Kwang-woo (Park Byung-eun) wins over the Minister of Land (Kang Mal-geum), Chang-wook targets a key bureaucrat (Kim Eui-sung), sparking a fierce lobbying battle. As one line in the movie says, “If they fight dirty, we fight dirty too.” The actor-director explained that golf courses, vast and private, were the perfect setting for this black comedy, contributing to the film’s bold and unique tone. Though the film may divide audiences, it offers a fresh take on corporate power struggles.
This is Ha’s third time directing, following “Fasten Your Seatbelt” (2013) and “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” (2015). His debut, “Fasten Your Seatbelt”, was packed with rapid-fire jokes and absurd humor, earning both praise and criticism. “Lobby”, arriving 12 years later, feels like a more polished version. It retains Ha’s unique offbeat humor but tightens the storytelling, adding a layer of social satire showing his growth as a director.
The dark comedy features a large cast with nearly 10 key characters, played by well-known actors like Kim Eui-sung, Lee Dong-hwi, Park Byung-eun, Kang Mal-geum, Cha Joo-young, and Park Hae-soo. Ha Jung-woo, both the director and actor, ensures each character stands out. The film includes a power-hungry minister, an official secretly flirting with female golfers, and a journalist making shady deals, making it hard to find a truly good character. Lesser-known actors also shine, like Kang Hae-rim as a golfer caught up in lobbying and Uhm Ha-neul as an intern handling dirty work. Ha’s direction has earned praise from his co-stars. Park Byung-eun described him as “a director who notices even the slightest changes in an actor’s expression,” while Choi Si-won called him “the best acting director in Korea.”
Ha’s signature humor is as dry and deadpan as ever. On Instagram, when a fan said, “I’m moving up to my final year of high school. Any words of encouragement?” Ha simply replied, “Move up.” When another fan commented, “My dog’s name is Wondu” (meaning “coffee bean” in Korean), Ha joked, “Must smell nice.” “Lobby”, which he also wrote, is filled with this kind of subtle humor, delivering quiet but steady laughs.
“Lobby” may not be a big laugh-out-loud comedy, but it still provides plenty of chuckles with its sharp, fast-paced dialogue. The cast went through many script readings to get the timing right, and the humor depends on absurd, deadpan delivery. Moments like a funeral scene where the deceased was an NBA superfan or a character blaming his vegetarianism on his father’s failed fried chicken business bring unexpected laughs. That said, if the humor does not work for some, the film may feel aimless. Another challenge is its lack of a compelling reason to be seen in theaters over streaming, which could impact its box office performance. “Lobby” hits theaters on April 2.
