Netflix’s new Korean film tackles long distance relationships

IT TURNS out that a Korean candy served as the inspiration for the name of Netflix’s latest original Korean film, the romantic comedy Sweet & Sour, which premieres on June 4.

“When we were working on the script together, we’d bring in a lot of snacks,” explained director Lee Kae-byeok at an online press conference with Asian media on June 1. And one of the snacks that the film director and his team enjoyed during pre-production was a popular fruit flavored candy called Sweet and Sour.

Speaking in Korean, which was translated into English for the press, he noted: “You know how when you first put it in your mouth, it’s sweet, then sour, and melts away instantly?” The candy’s flavors, it turns out, are similar to what they wanted to portray in their script. “That’s how I came up with the title,” he said.

The romantic comedy depicts moments of being blissfully in love as well as the unpleasant times in a relationship.

The story follows Jang Hyeok (played by Jang Ki-yong) and Jung Da-eun (Chae Soo-bin) who enter into a long-distance relationship when Jang Hyeok gets a new job. This distance becomes an issue when Jang Hyeok’s new colleague, Han Bo-yeong (Jung Soo-jung), shows an interest in him.

“The young one nowadays, I think, are much busier than we used to be when we were young. So, they must lead busy lives, and they must have some hardships when they are in a relationship,” Mr. Lee, the director, said.

He wants the audience to “love as much as you want.”

“To the audience who are in relationships, I hope you will cherish that relationship,” Mr. Lee said of the film’s message.

“And if you have just ended a romantic relationship, and you are in that bitter taste, I want to remind people that sweet and sour love is still waiting out there.”

Sweet & Sour (www.netflix.com/sweetandsour) premieres on Netflix on June 4, 3 p.m. (Philippine time). — Michelle Anne P. Soliman