An intelligent, cool-headed perfectionist, Sun-woo has climbed to the top, managing the upscale lounge and restaurant while earning the absolute trust of his boss, Mr. Kang, with his undivided loyalty. When Mr. Kang suspects his girlfriend, Hee-soo might have another boyfriend, he orders Sunwoo to keep a close eye on her and to kill her if she has cheated on him. After following her for a few days, Sun-woo barges in on Hee-soo and her boyfriend with a clear mission, but he lets them go. A Bittersweet Life is a film where style surpasses plot and character. The interior decoration is mainly black. Not just the clothes, but also every property, even food, is designed in dark tones. The over-decorated mise-en-scene stresses the atmosphere of oppression and silence, and it also sometimes contrasts with the sudden violence. A slight hint of sexual attraction presents itself, only to be repressed under the excessive violence, not developing to emotional or sexual intercourse. Partially owing to the French Noir and Hong Kong Action films for its style, A Bittersweet Life is drier and colder.