The 2005 South Korean film “A Bittersweet Life” has finally been released in Hindi on Amazon Prime Video. The movie has a runtime of about 2 hours and is now accessible in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
The Film That Inspired Awarapan
Many fans of Bollywood remember Emraan Hashmi’s 2007 film Awarapan for its emotional storytelling and impactful performances. What many didn’t know is that the core story of Awarapan was adapted from A Bittersweet Life.
Recently, Emraan Hashmi also confirmed that Awarapan Part 2 is in the works, which has sparked new interest in the original inspiration behind the film.
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Similar Storyline, But Less Impactful
The storyline of A Bittersweet Life is quite similar to Awarapan. The lead character is a loyal gangster who follows every order from his boss. He is assigned to keep an eye on his boss’s girlfriend, which leads to a turning point in the story—just like in Awarapan.
However, in comparison, Awarapan delivers stronger emotional depth. Emraan Hashmi’s portrayal of a man with a painful past and his silent love for Aliyah (played by Mrunalini Sharma) added layers of emotion that are missing in the Korean original.
A Bittersweet Life (2005) pic.twitter.com/ZdIe0vVjg2
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Weak Casting and Missing Backstory
One of the major drawbacks of A Bittersweet Life in its Hindi version is the weak casting choices. The emotional connection with the characters isn’t as strong as it was in Awarapan.
In Awarapan, the backstory of the lead—his love, his loss, and his loneliness—was beautifully presented. In contrast, the Korean film does not explore the past of the main character, nor does it offer closure for the female character he is asked to watch. This leaves the viewers with several unanswered questions by the end.
Good Action and Cinematography
Despite its emotional shortcomings, the film excels in action and cinematography. Even though it was released 20 years ago, the climax action scenes still feel fresh and well-executed.
The character Sun-woo, like Emraan’s role in Awarapan, is portrayed as a loyal but lonely man, deeply devoted to his boss. The visual storytelling is stylish and dramatic, which keeps the viewer engaged.
Not Better Than Awarapan, But Still Worth Watching
If you’re hoping to find something better than Awarapan, this film may not meet those expectations. Awarapan, though not a big hit when it released, has become a cult classic over the years, loved for its music, emotions, and direction by Mohit Suri.
Still, if you’re a fan of Awarapan, watching its original inspiration is definitely worth your time. The film was well-received in South Korea and holds an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.5/10 rating on IMDb.
Conclusion
A Bittersweet Life is now available on Amazon Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. If you admire Awarapan, it’s interesting to see where its story came from. While it may not be as emotionally powerful, the film still offers a stylish crime drama with a memorable action-filled climax.
