Chi-ho is a pastry researcher with a highly developed sense of taste whose life revolves around snacks and confectionery. His routine changes when Il-young, an optimistic and straightforward woman, enters his life and exposes him to experiences and flavors outside his usual routine. As Chi-ho adjusts to these changes, he becomes involved with several people, including his carefree and shameless brother Seok-ho, the self-absorbed CEO of the pastry company Byung-hoon, and the unpredictable and passionate Eun-sook. Their interactions challenge Chi-ho's established routines and lead him to confront aspects of life beyond his carefully controlled existence.
Honey Sweet was released theatrically in South Korea on August 15, 2023, distributed by Mindmark. The release date was confirmed in July 2023, with the film scheduled to open during the August 15 public holiday.
The film was subsequently invited to the 28th Busan International Film Festival, where it was screened on October 5, 2023, as part of the "Korean Cinema Today – Panorama" section.
Reception
Box office
According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network, the film grossed US$9,822,134 at the local box office and accumulated 1,388,309 admissions from 1,032 screens.
↑Lee, Seung-mi (September 18, 2023). 영화 '거미집'서 미친 존재감…'의리의 정우성', 올해만 세번째 특별출연[Crazy presence in 'Spider's Nest'...'Uri's Jung Woo-sung' to make third special appearance this year] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved September 19, 2023– via Naver.
↑Lee Min-ji (August 1, 2022). '달짝지근해' 김희선, 20년만 영화 컴백…유해진과 호흡 [공식]['Sweet' Kim Hee-sun, Movie Comeback After 20 Years… Co-starring with Yoo Hae-jin [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
↑Park Pan-seok (October 20, 2022). '달짝지근해' 유해진X김희선X차인표X진선규X한선화 황금 라인업..3개월간 촬영 끝['Sweet' Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Hee-sun, Cha In-pyo, Jin Seon-kyu, and Han Sun-hwa's golden lineup... 3 months of filming wrapped]. OSEN (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
↑Kim Yu-jin (November 6, 2023). 제44회 청룡영화상 후보 발표...'밀수'·'콘크리트 유토피아' 11개 부문 최다 노미네이트[44th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominations Announced...'Smuggling'-'Concrete Utopia' Receive Most Nominations in 11 Categories]. X-ports News (in Korean). Retrieved November 6, 2023– via Naver.
↑Ha-neul Lee (November 6, 2023). 제44회 청룡영화상, '밀수'·'콘유' 11개 부문 최다 노미네이트[44th Blue Dragon Film Awards, 'Smuggling' and 'Con U' received the most nominations in 11 categories]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
↑Kim Ji-hye (December 5, 2023). "엄태화VS김지운VS안태진, 제28회 춘사국제영화제 감독상 3파전"[Uhm Tae-hwa VS Kim Ji-woon VS Ahn Tae-jin, Best Director Award 3rd round at the 28th Chunsa International Film Festival]. SBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
↑Park Jae-hwan (December 7, 2023). "춘사국제영화제, 김지운 감독 최우수감독상... 김혜수-류준열 주연상 수상"[Chunsa International Film Festival, director Kim Ji-woon wins Best Director Award... Kim Hye-soo and Ryu Jun-yeol win Best Actor Award]. KBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
