When the Waves rise
Category: Short Film
Country: South Korea
Where to watch: GagaOOLala
Year: 2020
Duration: 39 min
Finished: 14.05.2023
The story is about two best friends who couldn't be more different. Kyung-jun, popular and athletic, class president and part of the cool-boy gang, and Hwi-young, pale, unathletic and unpopular. It's Kyung-jun's birthday and Hwi-young actually has a present for him, but doesn't dare give it to him because it would reveal too much of his emotions, and he's unsure if his best friend would reciprocate those feelings or at least understand him.
Big spoilers under the cut!
A rumor begins to make its rounds and Kyung-jun turns away from his best friend, not understanding his own feelings and those of his friend. All he understands is that he should stay away from Hwi-young if he wants to continue to have a quiet and comfortable life.
And then Hwi-young's birthday is coming up. One week after Kyung-jun's. And they were supposed to have gone to the sea together, but Kyung-jun doesn't show up at the bus station. So Hwi-young goes alone. And this is where the room for interpretation starts to get huge. My interpretation, shaped by the basic mood of this short film, is that Hwi-young ended his own life, and in his paradise Kyung-jun comes to visit him. It was a long way to get there, after all. It's the way Hwi-young left his room, the way he neatly laid everything out once more, and the way he said goodbye with a last look. And it's the way Kyung-jun looks sadly back at the place where his friend used to sit before. It's the way the waves crash and how peaceful everything is at the end and how Hwi-young turns to the camera and how Kyung-jun opens the box and reads the letter. How everything doesn't seem real anymore and is covered with a layer of pure despair and peacefulness at the same time. It's the way the ending is left open and that after everything I've seen, I can't believe there's a happy ending.
Rarely have I seen such a sad film. Yet the sadness is almost barely shown. But everything about this film screams sorrow, despair and hopelessness. The scenery, the colors, the music, the acting, the long shots. Everything. The basic mood is so melancholic that it's hard to get back to the colors of everyday life afterwards.
And yet I give 10 out of 10 points, because the story touched me, because I was involved with emotions, because it gripped me and because everything just fit. And it is not a problem if some things were not said directly, because they scream at you between the lines.
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What is KShows
"KShows" is a term commonly used to refer to Korean variety shows, talk shows, and reality television programs produced and aired in South Korea. These shows often feature popular Korean celebrities, actors, musicians, and idols as guests or regular cast members. Korean variety shows are known for their entertaining and unique formats, which include games, challenges, interviews, and humorous interactions among the participants.
Some well-known Korean variety shows include "Running Man," "Infinite Challenge" (also known as "Muhan Dojeon"), "Knowing Brothers" (also known as "Ask Us Anything"), "1 Night 2 Days" (also known as "1N2D"), and "The Return of Superman," among many others. These shows have gained international popularity and have fans from various countries enjoying the content.
It's possible that the term "KShows" could have evolved or taken on a different meaning since my last update, so I recommend checking current sources for any potential updates or new developments in the world of Korean entertainment.
Korean variety shows, often referred to as "KShows," have garnered a significant international following, thanks to their engaging content and the charm of the Korean celebrities who appear on them. These shows offer a unique glimpse into Korean culture, humor, and the dynamics between the hosts and guests.
"Running Man" is one of the most iconic and long-running Korean variety shows, known for its entertaining and often hilarious physical challenges. The show's regular cast members, along with celebrity guests, compete in various missions and games, showcasing their wit, teamwork, and athleticism. The popularity of "Running Man" has led to special episodes and international editions filmed in other countries.
"Infinite Challenge" was another massively popular show that had a groundbreaking and experimental format. It featured a group of hosts and comedians taking on a wide range of challenges, from musical performances to acting gigs, showcasing their versatility and creativity. Unfortunately, "Infinite Challenge" concluded its run in 2018 after a successful 13-year broadcast.
"Knowing Brothers" is a talk show and variety program that invites celebrity guests to join the cast, known as "brothers," in a classroom setting. The hosts ask funny and offbeat questions while engaging in amusing banter, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
"1 Night 2 Days" is a travel-reality show that sends its cast members on overnight trips to various destinations in South Korea. The show combines adventure, humor, and camaraderie as the cast faces challenges and games while exploring the country's beautiful landscapes.
"The Return of Superman" is a heartwarming reality show that follows the daily lives of celebrity fathers who are left to care for their children while their wives take a day off. The program captures adorable and touching moments between fathers and their kids, offering a glimpse into parenthood and family life.
As Korean entertainment continues to gain global popularity, KShows have played a significant role in introducing international audiences to Korean culture and fostering cross-cultural appreciation. Fans from around the world enjoy subtitles and fan-subbed versions of these shows, allowing non-Korean speakers to follow along and be part of the fun.
Please note that since my last update was in September 2021, there might have been new Korean variety shows or developments in the KShows landscape. For the most up-to-date information, I recommend checking recent sources and websites dedicated to Korean entertainment.
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In Strongberry We Trust
I had a private ask about Strongberry recently so here’s some thoughts.
Strongberry is probably the most established KBL studio, they started in high production shorts/microfilms (as, indeed, did all of KBL) and still specialize in them. They also do some GL. They tend to have very good chemistry, work with professional actors (not idols), and will go high heat. They are now a division of Matchbox, and have been around and steadily producing content since 2017. The CEO is adorable.
For YEARS Strongberry was the only studio reliably producing BL content out of Korea. And, sometimes the kisses were even good! For real... there was a time, not so long ago, when all we really got was KBL shorts and most of those from Strongberry. Dark days. Except for Strongberry shining one bright light of BL content. They are reliable, HEA, and high quality.
Hence the fandom slogan...
#In Strongberry We Trust
They often pick odd (or underserved) premises but always execute beautifully. Their stuff is either on YouTube, Gaga, or pay to play on Vimeo, and they do move it around so my links might not always still be working. Vimeo earns them the most money. They are a small, struggling, queer-friendly studio, please support them and their content by not pirating or watching illegally.
Here's my ranking of Strongberry's offerings.
1. A First Love Story
2021 YouTube short in 2 microfilms
Tropes: childhood friends to lovers, home setting, soft tone, grumpy/sunshine pairing
Strongberry are true masters of their craft and yet A First Love Story is still one of the best things they have ever produced. It’s the only microfilm every to make one of my year end top ten list. It’s two episodes of about 8 minutes each that manage to perfectly portray the sweetest friends-to-lovers confession ever. It’s joyful, and gentle with its characters, and a little hot. How on earth do they manage to leave us yearning for more yet completely satisfied at the same time? It’s like the perfect amuse-bouche, that one finger food at that one cocktail party that you will never forget. You are a ridiculous human if you haven’t spent 16 minutes with these two boys. Go watch it now. Or go watch it again. It’s time VERY well spent.
2. Long Time No See
2017 Gaga KBL length series (total 1.5 hr, some places packaged as a movie)
Tropes: secret love, enemies to lovers, secret identity, assassins, catfishing, mafia, higher heat, grumpy/sunshine pairing
One of Strongberry’s few longer pieces and I often wonder whether this is strictly BL. It’s about assassins on either side of a terf war who fall in love not knowing they are on opposite sides. Or do they? Good fight sequences, mature characters, high heat, very suspenseful, AND an HEA. If you like KinnPorsche you will LOVE this one.
3. Some More
2018 Gaga microfilm
Tropes: friends to lovers, hyung romance, self acceptance, countryside setting, soft tone, age gap, country boy/city boy
One of my most favorite of Strongberry’s shorts, about a city boy on a bike tour who gets injured and rescued by a taciturn, but (as it turns out) very gay, farmer. Mentions of pride, adorable supportive cousin. SO CUTE with excellent chemistry and featuring tropes I can never get enough of.
3. Private Lessons
2019 Gaga microfilm
Tropes: student/teacher, jock/nerd, hyung romance, obsession, crush, university setting, May/December, age gap
Given it is age gap and teacher/student (AKA P’ABL’s catnip) it should rate higher on my list, but the chemistry is slightly off. Stil I do love this one for the dynamic. Certainly worth watching especially if this is one of your fav yaoi tropes.
4. Step For You
2018 Gaga microfilm
Tropes: friends to lovers, sports, university setting, crush, jock/nerd, soft tone
About a reporter from the student newspaper who has to interview an older dancer and falls in love with him. This may not have been my first Strongberry, but it’s the first one I remember watching.
5. Please Tell Me So
2021 YouTube microfilm (AKA That's My Mr.Right!)
Tropes: crush, obsession, cafe setting, sunshine/sunshine pairing
Cute barista (played by Han Hyun Jun star of Love Class) has a crush on his customer, musters up the courage to ask him out.
6. My Pistachio
2018 Gaga microfilm
Tropes: friends to lovers, crush, hero worship, hyung romance, university setting, play within a play, grumpy/sunshine
7. As if You Whisper
2019 Gaga movie
Tropes: friends to lovers, self acceptance, music industry setting, grumpy/sunshine pairing
8. Confidential Coffee Break
2021 Vimeo microfilm
Tropes: mature romance, long term relationship, self acceptance, university setting, one act
It’s a monologue piece about two closeted older gay professors discussing changing times and the nature of acceptance (self and others) in modern day South Korean academic environment.
9. Hold Me
2021 YouTube microfilm
Tropes: friends to lovers, self acceptance, high school setting
10. Sweet Curse
2021 Gaga short
Tropes: horror, paranormal elements, ghost story, possession, obsession, gay friendship group, everyone wants that one boy, bad/good
This is a low-gore atmospheric horror, with some very high heat. I’m not saying it’s in the top 10 just because of that, but I am saying when Strongberry does high heat it v good and v gay.
OTHERS
My Personal Trainer - 2019 short Gaga. It v silly and v gay. Influencer has crush on his personal trainer.
Secret Roommate - 2020 short Gaga, Cohabit, self acceptance, home setting, family, coming out
Fingers After - 2021 microfilm Vimeo. Cohabit, morning after, home setting, pining, sunshine/tsundere pairing.
Secret Spectacles - 2017 microfilm Gaga. Very silly again, friends to lovers, paranormal elements, university crush.
Table Manner - 2018 microfilm Gaga. Cohabit, self acceptance, home setting, long term relationship
The Summer Pasta Recipe - 2021 short YouTube, reunion, self acceptance, grumpy/sunshine.
There my be a few more I don’t know about, MDL doesn't seem to have a sort function for production company.
NEW!
Choco Milk Shake
2022 YouTube KBL length series (total 1.5 hr)
Tropes: cohabit, F2L, paranormal elements, home setting, soft tones, sunshine/tsundere.
Two pets, a cat and a dog, reincarnate as humans to visit their old owner. Stongberry gave us a full length BL on YouTube! It’s a BL miracle and an endless delight. It was wonderfully cute, unexpectedly hilarious but expectedly silly, a little too poignant, occasionally gut wrenching and with a somewhat expected weird (but happy-ish) ending. The actors playing the two pets must have had the best time. As, indeed, did I watching it. Jealous Milk made me cackle so hard it scared the actual cat on my lap. Choco was perfectly cast, and the chemistry was ultimately decent. In Strongberry I still trust. Thank you thank you, may we have another, sirs?
Two Other KBL shorts worth checking out:
Just Friends?
2009 Gaga short
I consider this one of Korea’s first actual BLs. Boyfriends, one of whom is on military leave, trying to decide on coming out and their future together. Bonus for out gay director and queer activist.
Being Me
2018 short Gaga
A summer of love for two long term besties who have basically always been boyfriends, but when a girl tries to date one of them, they finally realize it. Beautifully filmed and a STELLAR ending kiss.
(source)
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