(Movie Review) Actor-director Ha Jung-woo's 'Lobby' offers satirical insight into 'golf business'
SEOUL, March 28 (Yonhap) -- There is nothing wrong with golf. But it is an open secret in Korea that some people use the golf course as a setting for business dealings -- often sidestepping fair channels and seeking favors.
The upcoming film "Lobby" explores the world of such smear lobbying campaigns, following a startup entrepreneur who once believed solely in the power of technology but eventually succumbs to unfair practices as a means to win a state supply contract and overcome his financial struggles.
The setting may feel uncomfortably familiar to many in the country, where the sport is sometimes seen negatively due to its association with golf-related lobbying. While addressing the uneasy subject head-on, the movie takes a lightheaded, humorous approach.
Actor Ha Jung-woo returns to directing with this black comedy, his third film following "Fasten Your Seatbelt" in 2013 and "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" in 2015.
He plays Chang-wook, the startup CEO who lands himself in even deeper trouble by playing golf too well -- despite being a novice to the sport and needing to "lose" the game to appease Director Choi (Kim Eui-sung), a high-ranking government official he is lobbying.
Realistic and vivid, all the characters in the film are driven by their own distinct motives: Choi joins the lobbying game to play alongside young pro-golfer Se-bin (Kang Hae-rim), whom he falls for. Trying to present himself as an ethical public servant, he is, in reality, the epitome of a dirty old man who pursues women young enough to be his daughter.
Facing a career slump and concerned about her father's financial difficulties, Se-bin reluctantly accepts Chang-wook's sponsorship offer. Reporter Park (Lee Dong-hui) sees an opportunity -- whether to gain money or a scoop.
Meanwhile, another group is making its way around the course at the same time, led by Gwang-woo (Park Byung-eun), Chang-wook's former business partner and now rival who is also vying for the same government deal. His goal is to curry favor with Minister Cho (Kang Mal-geum), the key decision-maker and coincidentally the estranged wife of Director Choi.
The film also features the owner of the golf course (Park Hae-soo), who is also seeking to butter up the minister for a land development project. While not playing a leading role, Park impressively portrays the money-blinded businessman, a character type all too familiar and realistic from news reports.
While the film's comedic style, characterized by absurd dialogue, might not appeal to everyone, it provides a satisfyingly entertaining and light "popcorn film" experience for those familiar with Ha's distinctive humor.
"Lobby" is set for release Wednesday.
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
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