'Golf pokes at some sensitive parts of human nature': 'Lobby' Ha Jung Woo

Ha Jung Woo, who directed and starred in the K-movie Lobby, shared how he came to make a movie themed around "lobbyist golf" and shared the unique characteristics and charm of the sport he personally experienced. The actor conducted an interview on April 2 in Seoul, following the release of his latest film.

Lobby tells the story of Chang Wook (Ha Jung Woo), a startup CEO who knows nothing but research, as he steps into the world of lobbyist golf for the first time in an attempt to secure a 4-trillion-won government project. 

In addition to Ha Jung Woo in the lead role, the film features Kim Eui Sung, Park Byung Eun, Kang Mal Geum, Kwak Sun Young, Kang Hae Lim, Lee Dong Hwi, Cha Joo Young, Choi Si Won, and Park Hae Soo.

Ha Jung Woo shared his journey of making a film about "lobbyist golf". He began by saying, "During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, while taking a break, I started learning golf for the first time rather late, but I ended up getting hooked." He continued, "I would go out early for a round of golf, but I found myself getting really frustrated. Unlike other games or sports, golf feels different — it almost seems like whether you're good or bad at golf is somehow linked to your character."

He said, "On days when my golf game went well, I felt great, as if I'd conquered the world. But on days when it went terribly, I felt miserable. I started to wonder — what exactly is this sport?" He continued, "Even when I looked at the people around me who played golf, I noticed that, outside the golf course, they were calm, gentle, and elegant, but the moment they picked up a golf club, they strangely became different. I would even find myself thinking, 'Is it really the same guy?' Sometimes, they even came across as materialistic." "Regardless of the person's age or status, it felt like I was witnessing a side of them I never wanted to see. That in itself struck me as ironic — almost like a black comedy."

Ha added, "It's really ironic, funny, and feels like a black comedy. When you see people gathered at the golf course in the morning, without exception, all of them say, 'I'm not feeling well today,' 'I'm injured,' or 'I didn’t sleep well, so my condition isn't great.' They all lay the groundwork [in advance with their excuses]."

The actor continued, "And strangely, golf is fun when there's a wager — even if it's just 100 won. People [act like] they're risking their lives on that bet. I've even seen someone get so angry over a bet that they grabbed their golf bag and went home [during the game]." He added, "That's how sensitive this sport can get — it scratches and pokes at some sensitive parts of human nature."

He further explained, "On the surface, golf looks glamorous, with top-notch facilities and a luxurious feel. But when you see a group of adults at a golf course, they end up acting like little kids for [those] four or five hours [they stay at the course]. It's hilarious. That's when I thought, 'I need to use this as a movie concept.'"

Ha Jung Woo admitted that he incorporated both his direct and indirect experiences into the film. "I wondered, 'What kind of character would be interesting in this setting?' First of all, I'm a celebrity, right? There's always this thing where the seniors insist on inviting me to golf rounds. There are always one or two people in those gatherings that I don't know," he recalled. "At first, those who don't know me address me politely. But after just an hour of golf, they start asking to take pictures with me and even film videos of me playing. Little by little, these strangers begin crossing boundaries, and eventually, they say, 'Let's drop formalities and speak casually.' That's how relationships start to get weird." "There were times when I enjoyed that, but other times, I left feeling really uncomfortable. That's when I thought, 'This movie definitely needs a celebrity character.'"

He also shared a behind-the-scenes story related to the film's plot. "I have a high school friend who is a civil servant. On his golf bag's name tag, instead of his own name, he had his son's name written. When I asked why, he said, 'I'm a government official — I can't be seen accepting any form of lobbying.' He said he was being cautious." "When I asked, 'Do you really have to be this cautious?' he said he didn't want to cause misunderstandings in the first place. I heard that companies and firms engage in a lot of lobbying to get their products or technologies selected. I found these stories really intriguing. I started with the idea that it would be interesting to build a story around people who wouldn't normally meet, gathering at a vast yet strangely secretive golf course, spending a day together, and seeing what unfolds."

Ha Jung Woo also shared why even the most composed people start acting strangely when they pick up a golf club. "The most important thing in golf is to stay relaxed [and not use much force], but as you play, you can't help but apply strength. You'd want to hit far and hit well." He continued, "There's also this aspect where the farther you hit the golf ball, the more admiration you receive. When men play together, it seems there's often an unspoken competition to show off their masculinity."

The actor added, "Golf really has a way of scratching at people's pride. What's funny is that I find myself changing in the same way." "When someone messes up a shot, no one shows it on the outside, but deep down, they're secretly pleased. It's hilarious. If the person before you plays well, the next person almost always makes a mistake. And if the person before you messes up, the next player somehow pulls off a great shot. You only truly understand this game when you see it all the way through."

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