Sweet & Sour (Korean: 새콤달콤; RR: Saekomdalkom) is a 2021 South Korean romantic comedy based on the novel Initiation Love by Kurumi Inui. Directed by Lee Gye-byeok, the film stars Jang Ki-yong, Chae Soo-bin, and Krystal Jung. It tells the story of a couple whose relationship begins to drift apart. The movie was released on Netflix on June 4, 2021.
K-Movie Profile
- Movie Title (English): Sweet & Sour
- Movie Title (Korean): 새콤달콤
- Revised Romanization: Saekomdalkom
- Genre: Romantic comedy
- Based On: Initiation Love by Kurumi Inui
- Director: Lee Gye-byeok
- Producer: Park Se-joon
- Writer: Sung Da-som
- Composer: Bang Jun-seok
- Starring: Jang Ki-yong, Chae Soo-bin, Krystal Jung
- Production Company: KT Hitel, 26 Company, Gyebyeok Mulsan
- Distributor: Netflix
- Release Date: June 4, 2021
- Running Time: 102 minutes
- Country: South Korea
- Language: Korean
- Rating: R-15
Plot Synopsis
Sweet & Sour is a 2021 South Korean romantic drama about love, work, and complicated relationships. Hyuk, a young man with Hepatitis B, is cared for by nurse Da-eun, and they grow close through small, thoughtful gestures. Da-eun even invites him on a Christmas trip to Jeju Island.
At the same time, Hyuk struggles with his demanding engineering job in Seoul and competes with a colleague, Bo-yeong. Their rivalry turns into teamwork, and eventually, romantic tension. Meanwhile, Hyuk’s relationship with Da-eun suffers due to work stress, long commutes, and misunderstandings, including Da-eun’s pregnancy, which she later ends.
Hyuk begins a romance with Bo-yeong but still longs for Da-eun. On Christmas, he remembers the trip he was supposed to take with Da-eun and rushes to the airport, only to discover a surprising twist about timing and fate. The film ends highlighting love, choices, and missed opportunities.
Main Casts
Jang Ki-yong (as Jang-hyuk)
- Birth Name (English): Jang Ki-yong
- Birth Name (Korean): 장기용
- Revised Romanization: Jang Giyong
- Birthdate: August 7, 1992
- Age: 33
- Birthplace: Ulsan, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupations: Actor, model
- Agency: United Artists Agency
- Debut: 2012
- Height: 187 cm
- Weight: 75 kg
- Blood Type: B
- MBTI: ENFP
- Social Media: Instagram
Jang Ki-yong is a South Korean actor and model known for his charming looks and versatile acting. He started as a model before making his acting debut in It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014) and gained recognition with Confession Couple (2017) and his first lead role in Come and Hug Me (2018). He went on to star in popular dramas like My Mister (2018), Search: WWW (2019), Born Again (2020), My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021), and The Atypical Family (2024). Jang has earned multiple awards, including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actor and the MBC Drama Excellence Award, along with fashion titles such as the Asia Model Award and Korea’s Best Dresser Swan Award. He is also a brand ambassador for major global brands like Estée Lauder, Lancôme, and Nivea Men.
Chae Soo-bin (as Da-eun)
- Stage Name (English): Chae Soo-bin
- Stage Name (Korean): 채수빈
- Revised Romanization (Stage Name): Chae Subin
- Birth Name (English): Bae Soo-bin
- Birth Name (Korean): 배수빈
- Revised Romanization (Birth Name): Bae Subin
- Birthdate: July 10, 1994
- Age: 31
- Birthplace: Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupation: Actress
- Debut: 2013
- Agency: King Kong by Starship
- Height: 167 cm
- Blood Type: A
- MBTI: INFP
- Social Media: Instagram
- Website: Official site
Chae Soo-bin, also known by her real name Bae Soo-bin, is a South Korean actress known for her natural charm and talent. She rose to fame with her role in Love in the Moonlight (2016) and went on to star in hit dramas like The Rebel (2017), Strongest Deliveryman (2017), Where Stars Land (2018), and When the Phone Rings (2024).
Krystal Jung (as Han Bo-yeong)
- Stage Name (English): Krystal Jung
- Stage Name (Korean): 크리스탈 정
- Birth Name (English): Chrystal Soo-jung Jung
- Birth Name (Korean): 정수정
- Revised Romanization (Birth Name): Jeong Sujeong
- Birthdate: October 24, 1994
- Age: 31
- Birthplace: San Francisco, California, U.S.
- Nationality: Korean-American
- Occupations: Singer, actress
- Debut: 2009
- Agency: Beasts and Natives Alike
- Height: 166 cm
- Weight: 49 kg
- Blood Type: A
- Social Media: Instagram
Krystal Jung, also known as Chrystal Soo Jung, is an American-South Korean singer and actress. She debuted in 2009 as a member of the popular K-pop group f(x) and later joined SM Entertainment’s project group SM the Ballad. Along with her music career, Krystal has appeared in many well-known Korean dramas, including The Heirs (2013), My Lovely Girl (2014), Prison Playbook (2017), The Bride of Habaek (2017), Player (2018), Search (2020), Police University (2021), and Crazy Love (2022).
Watch Sweet & Sour on Netflix
