Ha Jung-woo Expresses Confidence in New Film 'Lobby'

Actor and director Ha Jung-woo has shown great confidence in his upcoming directorial project, 'Lobby.' On March 26, he appeared alongside co-stars Kang Mal-geum and Kang Hae-rim in a YouTube content series titled 'Yongtaro.'

The film 'Lobby' follows the story of Chang-wook (played by Ha Jung-woo) as he attempts to secure a 4 trillion won national project by lobbying the corrupt Chief Choi (Kim Eui-sung) through golf. Kang Mal-geum portrays the corrupt Minister Jo, who is Choi's wife, while Kang Hae-rim plays the role of Jin, a professional golfer.

As both the director and lead actor, Ha Jung-woo humorously remarked that this film carries on the spirit and philosophy of his previous work, 'Roller Coaster.' He expressed his intention to enhance the drama by addressing the shortcomings from that project.

Ha Jung-woo shared insights into the casting process, stating, "I was well aware of Mal-geum's talent from her previous outstanding works. For Hae-rim, I wanted her to embody the essence of a professional golfer, especially after being impressed by her performance in 'Somebody.'"

Newcomer Kang Hae-rim expressed her surprise and honor at being invited by the director, saying, "There was no reason to decline. It was a great honor." When asked about her golf skills, she revealed, "I practiced really hard, five times a week for four hours a day, aiming for a professional swing."

Ha Jung-woo clarified that while he usually plays golf, the film focuses more on the lobbying aspect rather than the sport itself, stating, "Golf serves merely as a backdrop for the lobbying scenes." He also praised the character of Minister Jo, noting, "Her character is quite outrageous, and the serious portrayal adds a humorous touch." He referred to Kang Mal-geum as one of the top talents, to which she humbly responded, "I’m just a small top."

Addressing any potential challenges during filming, Ha Jung-woo acknowledged the extensive travel and outdoor shoots, while Kang Mal-geum appreciated the team spirit he fostered, mentioning they always enjoyed warm meals together after filming. Ha Jung-woo emphasized his efforts to ensure the actors felt comfortable on set.

Kang Hae-rim expressed her gratitude for Ha Jung-woo's personal encouragement, stating, "Hearing that from someone like Ha Jung-woo is truly special."

'Lobby' is set to be released on April 2.