Sweet & Sour (2021) Poster

(2021)

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7/10
Last 12 mins is game changer
alinakhadgiak8 June 2021
I didn't have high expectation from movie because it is general romance movie. Last 15 mins is game changer. I like the twist at the end. If you have free time then watch it.
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7/10
Loop-de-loop
AJ_McAninch4 June 2021
Love the cast. The writing could have been better, but I thought the "twist" is actually quite clever and appropriate to the plot and its theme.
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6/10
Looks like an unfinished movie
T-xoo6 June 2021
The themes presented in the movie are the reality that face most of Asian country workplaces, especially Japan and South Korea. Endless working hours, being bossed around without guaranteed of being a perm, and work affecting relationships, etc. Certain companies are moving forward on focusing on the well being of their employees. But this movie still show what is currently still the society. The note for me is reflecting what this movie is showing. It does it's job if you just want to see the truth.

In the third act, the viewer will just feel like the movie is weird or unfinished. We can think there are still questions left. But deep down, they all have been answered.

Just feeling disappointed because i'm not watching a movie to see it telling me what people are facing in the real world. I don't care about that. There are documentaries for that. Ain't people watching movies because they want to evade the real world? Would have liked a better ending.
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7/10
Slick and quite clever
phd_travel6 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This slick contemporary movie is quite engrossing. A couple fall in love and then they drift out of love because of work and physical exhaustion. He starts working with a new colleague. It's hard to discuss this show without the time twist at the end which I thought was quite clever but the viewer needs to keep up at the end. When you look back it does make sense, It's just an expectation of a cliche that made the viewer assume certain things and it's good how things played out. Realistic instead of fantasy. The cast is well chosen. Krystal and Jang Ki Yong are convincing as smart looking modern career young people. Chae Soo Bin is right for the role as nurse. I liked it.
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6/10
Great movie ruined by the ending.
mikoss-5393216 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I really liked this movie until the resolve of the movie.

I was watching the movie seeing the struggle of long distance, exhaustion and guestioning of love.

Instead the ending left me with feelings like : 1. Long distance Will never work.

2. If you cannot have your number one choice, you have to go with the number two.

This movie easily lacks a resolution. I didnt need a happy resolution, i wouldve been fine with a sad one too. Instead i feel like we didnt get neither and was left with this inbetween feeling.
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6/10
Well-made but lacks deeper and moving emotions
Sir_AmirSyarif6 June 2021
Based on the novel 'Initiation Love' by Kurumi Inui, Lee Gye-byeok's 'Sweet & Sour' is well-constructed and well-acted, but lacks deeper and moving emotions when it comes to its narrative. The writing feels repetitive and stretched out at times but delivers home the point. Though rushed, the movie's twist offers a powerful ending that may stick with some viewers and reinforces the thoughtful themes displayed in the film.
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Good movie ruined by the ending
Eiriksterminator6 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The movie starts out good, being funny, cute and charming. Then the second part is drama, dealing with the negative effect too much work has on both people's health and their relationships. This would all be fine, but the entire movie is ruined by the fact that the third act doesn't resolve things by having the characters fix their problems and get back together like they should. There's no happy ending, all you get is misery in the end, and I'm pretty sure nobody would watch a movie like this for that, so I don't know what the writers and directors were thinking...
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7/10
You Reap What You Sow
Geeta35216 May 2022
I have mixed feelings about this movie. I felt that the slim Hyeok took his girlfriend for granted and abandoned her when she was pregnant, so that he could work late with his female colleague. Her pleadings meant nothing to him, and she apparently took affection wherever she could find it -specifically in her obese patient turned friend. I feel that her boyfriend got what he deserved in the end. Watch this one when you have nothing else to do.
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9/10
The reality of every relationship
mcathy_joy7 June 2021
I love this movie as this is realistic than most of the common movies we had. It shows how work, stress, pressure, misunderstnding and long distance affects our relationship in real life. It will made you realize a lot of things like cheating is not a mistake but a choice that can affect your life and future. Most common movies are fantasy and not the reality of our life but some say the ending of this was actually not good but personally, I like the ending of this as it gave us a more "REALISTIC" ending than the usuall "HAPPY ENDING". This is the reality of our life now a days so don't expect a happy ending in every movie you watched. We have to appreciate this kind of movie who will give us LIFE LESSONS instead of UNREALISTIC ending. 😊
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7/10
Twist Different Than I Thought
PalmBeachG21 March 2022
The title of the movie tells it all I guess, I should have known, but I was hoping that Jang Ki-yong would have played a more sweeter character than a scoundrel boyfriend. I searched for him specifically; I like his acting and hope to see him cast in something else soon. When the movie first came on, I was suspicious and expecting something like this, but the twist was actually different than I thought in the end.
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1/10
Just a waste
duckybhai-9100629 August 2021
Feel sad for chubby boy . She used him as a healer . You can see at the ending of movie Her expression told she doesn't love him.
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10/10
Twists made it amazing!
yowtoppings8 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The ending is very superb. Its very nice. Its nit a stereotypcal ending where the leads will be back again. The ending is anchored in reality.

The misleading plot made it more amazing. I didn't expect that there are actually two hyeok.

And the grey old man(the one who switches off the lights) is a character that you'd misunderstood but when you know what he did its very amazing.

Overall. This movie isn't just your average romance movie. Its very nice and triggers your critical thinking ability. The plot is well made and the artists are amzing.
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6/10
This film exposes the toxicity of work and impact has on relationships
karolinecelis5 June 2021
I haven't watched the full movie yet, and only watched parts of the movie, so I'll re watch the movie due to the toxic things it sheds light on, and what needs to be fixed. The positives of this movie is that it's bringing issues we humans have in the real world, which perfectly matches which we're dealing with is labor, expectations, and impacts it has on relationships with anyone not just romantic, it includes family, and friends.

What I didn't seen coming is the couple bashing at each other. Because both of them needed rest and vacation from work, and rest for real. I've watched some films or shows where the author of the original story, characters, and ideas exposes the toxicity of work, and the impacts it has on us humans psychologically, and spiritually.

The reason I gave a six which could be relationships are not perfect, and there will be some challenges, and struggles ahead of them, still there will be positives. Instead of blaming each other the character could understand each other, and clear up any misunderstandings. Plus, misconceptions in relationships brings more pain, so the characters shouldn't make things difficult as it seems, and fix their mistakes, or move on already.

Overall, this is not a bad film it's average and the characters needs to spend quality time together, and find a job without toxic manager, or boss who is not an ass.
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4/10
Realistic, maybe !
ajchapter135 September 2021
Well the movie shows the practical aspects of modern day relationships, totally agree with that, complete reality. But does it give any hope ?

I gave it a rating of 4 because there was nothing sweet about it, it was all sour, left a bad taste for me.
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6/10
Why is advertised as rom-com?
crmn-229616 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Like others have already said here the start of the movie looks promising and hooks you up. The middle of the movie where they focus a lot on what is going on to his job, time passes slower due to the traffic etc, I feel that they focused too much on that side. The end is nice and has that twist which makes it very cool but to be hones after 1h30 mins I was ready to go and review it because it was not delivering.. The End saved this movie but I wouldn't cal it a Rom-com in million years.
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6/10
interesting love story
deepudp9 September 2021
An interesting love story thats beautifully presented. Only towards the end would you realize what exactly is going on even from the opening scenes.

You cannot guess the twist!
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7/10
It was better than I expected
workytest7 April 2024
I won't lie. It was better than I thought, in fact I don't trust korean movies they're always randome, but this one , this one surprise me, it was a good slice of life movie with a beautiful plot twist, I truly enjoy it.

In fact, I was going to get mad, but the ending made me relax. For me, I find these kinds of movies useful for daily life. People should be more rational in relationships. I will absolutely recommend this movie.

People should stop reading reviews before watching anything. They will definitely affect you no matter what, so make sure to watch first, then see what other people think.
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7/10
Real relationships enhanced by great storytelling
Broadbean23 February 2023
First off, Chae Soo-Bin was made to smile, which there's not enough of in this movie.

At the heart of it is mainly the exploration of the relationship between nurse Da-eun (Chae) and civil engineer Jang-hyuk (Jang Ki-Yong). Two young, good looking people finding each other, trying to make things work despite long hours in the office and travel for Jang-hyuk. What sorts of sacrifice must they endure, and can love solve all problems?

With storytelling, context is everything. What may have been a head scratcher at times will likely be explained at the end. Regardless of the clever story crafting, this is no fairy tale, rather real life in its glorious ups and downs - sweet, and sour.
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8/10
Sour and sour
elsamirre9 November 2022
Yes, as someone pointed out, there was no "Sweet". This was a very sad (and sadly common) story. As KD lovers, even if there is no happy ending, or no ending at all, we at least get to dream about neverending loves. That's how we tend to forget that there is no such thing... The film left me very distraught, it was hard to sleep after that.

Still. It was good. It's true that the nurse was never in love with her patient, but it was obvious to me from the beginning. People use other people to move on, that's just how it is. Also, people drift apart when all they see of each other is routine and exhaustion. On the contrary, people get closer when they share their time and interests. No happy ending, no great love story, just bare, real life. We can't hold this against the movie. Just. If you're in a long distance relationship, avoid watching, it WILL bring you down.

The ending was as satisfying as could be. There was no "loop", and the story wasn't "re-written". Pay attention, the story doesn't change. It's just a smart, brillant, and very satisfactory plot twist that sort of relieves, a bit, the sourness.
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6/10
Was fun but hated how it ended and felt like a waste of time
pinky_scotty29 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The movie was engaging and i was hooked. It doesnt happen often.

I was invested and then towards the end, it doesnt go as per plan. The ending seems unhappy for both leads and kinda is effed up tbh. While I'm okay for it not ending with happily ever after, but the ending left me unsatisfied and miffed that i invested my time in the film.

Like the plot wasn't pleasing. The writing felt disjointed and a bit lazy just for effect. Simple endings and plot lines arent boring if done right.

Netflix should've known better than that. Good acting by the lead actress.

If you are cynical and want to mope, watch this.
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5/10
...What did I watch?
yulsmelon5 June 2021
(SEMI-SPOILERS AHEAD)

I have many problems with this film. But I will start with the positives. The acting is pretty decent and the writing is not bad but could be improved. I like the humble start to this film. But there are many, many problems. The TWIST to this film is very forced and surprisingly bad! I felt like the writers and director were going to make a simple, cliche type of romance comedy film. But when they didn't know how to end the film..

They just rewrote the whole film so that the twist could work. I liked how the start of the film was going. It was not amazing the was done well. But the third act really made this whole film tumble down. The twist is very confusing and because of how the film is set up to be.

Also some characters are left out that were great in my opinion. Like the parents, they were great side characters! This film leaves you feeling very empty and doesn't really establish a good moral. Overall I do not recommend this film unless you are REALLY bored and have nothing to do. This film represents a good start, but a bad ending.
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8/10
A simple romantic comedy? Not really so!
darylmaya15 December 2021
This starts as a seemingly offbeat romantic comedy. A part-time nurse, overworked and barely eking a living. A chubby and nerdy engineer who has caught hepatitis and is hospital ridden. Both do not seem to have any close supportive family or relatives. Their weird circumstances seem to bring them close together. They also seem to help each other out become a better person, and bear through it all. All seems to be going good, until a far away and demanding job in Seoul and a long commute start to undermine their relationship.

But does it? Their is more to this rom-com than meets the eye. It definitely has a great and unexpected twist at the end that makes it more than worth watching.

The acting, script, directing, and editing are top notch. A beauty.

And while only two/four main actors seem involved in this movie, the overall cast is outstanding. Very senior and well known actors are placed in random small positions that add to the quirkiness and heft of the movie.
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1/10
Foolish Backward Time lapse
bvscentric9 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Hated this, the whole time lapse backward foolishness and inferring that 2 people were one. You basically end up watching 2 different repationships unfold.

1st: By the end you realize that she only dated the patient because she was broken and dejected by first boyfriend and decisions they made and he has same name as first BF.

2nd: Once this is revealed it implies that she was in a bad state of mind when she began showing interest in the second BF. Thus explaining why she could be interested in the chubby less cute guy, thereby justifying the doubts his family & friends had about her flirting with him.

3rd: I've never been so dissatisfied with a storyline. The storyline would have been better if it was what it actually implied in the first 15min. A girl falls for a chubby guy who is inspired to get fit, lands his dream job, end up drifting apart, he cheats, she moves on.

4th: I'm a huge fan of both lead actors and I hope they never pick up a script this horrible again. Male lead screen time was deduced to being in car, being at desk. Female screen time was deduced to whining on phone, laying in bed. Horrible regression of characters!!!
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10/10
what a surprise!!!
vnussghayumi26 June 2021
They made up a bitter truth in a way that you can enjoy the movie. At the end of the film, you will understand.
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5/10
It's not comedy, It's tragedy
pmahmud-572179 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I started to watch the movie expecting a romcom as the genre suggested. Instead the ending left me with the feeling of tragedy.

I liked the way how the movie was progressing. The struggle of two persons who are having trouble balancing their personal and professional lives. But the ending really killed it.
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