Movie Digest
Sweet and Sour (새콤달콤) is the latest South Korean adaptation of a Japanese movie titled Initiation Love by Kurumi Inui. Crafted under the careful direction of Lee Kye Byuk, Sweet and Sour came to the streaming platforms on the 4th of June, 2021, with a running time of over an hour and forty-and-two minutes. The film tells the love story of sourness and sweetness in a couple’s relationship that undergoes extreme ups and downs in the present capitalist system.
The Feel-Good Part
Through Sweet and Sour, viewers get an insight into how difficult and yet easy to sustain a relationship if you are ready to put your efforts. Viewers can, for a fact, take away the feeling of giddiness and butterflies in the first thirty minutes of the movie. It begins with the sweet love story of Jang Hyuk and Jeong Da Eun at the hospital. The former suffers from stomach problems and meets the nurse in attendance, falling in love with her at first sight. Moreover, it is refreshing to see them acting with such brilliance. Even the comedic punch evokes big laughs.
The Disappointing Factor
With great regret, though Sweet and Sour movie addresses the prevalent fatphobia in South Korean society, it does not allow for its character to work on and escape from it. Further, the motives of Han Bo Yeong remain without a reason, a place where scriptwriters could have worked for a little bit.
In-Depth Analysis
Sweet and Sour sheds light on the functioning of relationships in a late-capitalism society. Since the work done under capitalism is alienating enough, it entails a fragmentation of the human experience, where the social relations lose their qualitative homogeneity and consistency. Sweet and Sour highlights the deterioration of a couple’s love because of the pressure Jang Hyuk is under. He cannot invest the time and care in his relationship as he does in a company that extracts his surplus-value. Therefore, this film becomes an essential critique of the ideological reality of the current times.
Star Power
Sweet and Sour is a movie with several unexpected twists and turns, so be sure to be in for a ride! The cast does a fine job at portraying the complexities of the characters. The line includes Jang Ki Yong as Jang Hyuk, Chae Soo Bin as Jeong Da Eun, and Krystal Jung as Han Bo Yeong. The supporting cast involves Lee Woo Je as Lee Jang Hyeok, Go Pyu Pil, Choi Hyung, Hwang Jung Min, Kim Mi Hye, Yoon Byung Hee, Jo Han Chul, Lee Seung Won, Lee Kyung Young, and Park Chul Min.
Overall Opinion
Through its recycled plot, the light-hearted film talks about significant societal issues. It deems to be a perfect binge for an evening, kicking your critical thinking skills.
