Reviews

Is it finished?

Overall I good BL with amazing acting. The pacing was a little slow. I was very invested in the story which sadly lead to disappointment. the second to last episode was very emotionally heavy, the final wallows in the sad tone until the very last shot where there was possibly a hint at happiness? We aren’t given any answers we have had for over half the episodes to the point I had to check I had actually watched the last episode. I understand wanting to let the viewer make their own conclusions but this was a bit too extreme and I feel like the time put into the show wasn’t worth the payoff at the end.

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This needs a lot of trigger warnings
Honestly the lvl of anxiety, stress and blood boiling is high, and this barely had any comedy, 1%

this heavily revolves around criminals getting discharged, and under “neighborhood arrest” so I thought like thieves and embezzlers
but it’s focused on rapist, and serial child rapists , how is the death sentence not a thing? Especially knowing the burning sun criminals got out after their measly 5 year sentences,
So nothing was graphic but knowing the truth about how that one movie, hope, rapist got out and lives right next to that poor kid, this is blood boiling

Also, calling them officers but no guns, or backup or actual cops interfering? Frustratiiiiinnnnggggggggggggggg

I wonder how old wobin is pretending? Cuz he wasn’t acting like a 35 year old, he was as naive as WDH in bloodhouds
And this became heavy near the end too, a repetition of the plot, knowing it's the same screenwriter & director, as well as midnight runners.. it's more disappointing, atleast in bloodhounds, they had a lot more "adults" to help, eventho they died too


no cops got involved but 4 geeks saved the day, I’m gonna assume they’re less than 35 too, so the whole authorities were MAI....

And tho it ended "cutely", I wish they also talked about the dark web criminals, like saving one kid doesn’t mean the 10s still getting hurt is ok

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It was beautiful. I liked the whole vibe, the aesthetics were pretty and it definitely left a lingering feeling by the time I was done. My heart was giddy everytime they kissed.

About the story - I feel there could have done so much with the story. They really gave it so little. It felt as though the time gaps were more for show rather than contributing to the plot. When I read 'they couldn't get the time quite right' I was expecting much more than just what we were served with. Even with the ending, something felt amiss.

That being said, Kim Go-eun and Jung Hae in did a commendable job with both their characters. They did very well with a story that served so less.

I really look forward to see these two act in a drama.

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The warmer side of tepid

I was more partial to the main couple, but this is still a nice companion piece to the series it span off from, especially for people who wanted to see more of the second couple. It takes some some time and a lot of suspension of disbelief to see the actors as high school characters, but the characterization of the relationship is well drawn. Since this is a direct prequel there was only going to be one kind of ending, unless it was going to show parts from the series. If there was something that could have been shown a bit more is Dong Hee's relationship with the aunt which is a major reason he took himself out of the equation for as long as he did at the end. I really like the build up to the kiss with Ho Tae refusing to call Dong Hee hyung and how Dong Hee has offered to teach Ho Tae what ever he wanted, which leads to Ho Tae asking Dong Hee to teach him how to kiss leading to Dong Hee thinking caveating the teaching lesson with Ho Tae calling him hyung would stop him, but it only doubles down the tension when Ho Tae asks his hyung to teach him to kiss. Kudos to the writing.

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They let us have this ....

In the original story Ho Tae and Dong Hee had feelings for each other but out of respect for Ho Tae mother, as she loved him and cared for him as her own, Dong Hee didn't want to have a relationship with him. Ho Tae persistently begged for Dong Hee to date him but was constantly rebuffed. They were always friends and for me at least the prequel's ending fit nicely with the sequel beginning. The writers stuck to the backstory details to create the prequel and nothing was changed.

Reason why it fit: After years of not seeing each other they finally meet. Old friends would smile as they remember their connection and the warm feeling they had for each other. As in the prequel Dong Hee still hides his feelings for Ho Tae. Ho Tae keeps forcing him to give him a chance which causes the friction between them. They are no longer boys but men with strong opposing convictions. Frustrated Dong Hee lashes out. This is where Unintentional Love Story begins.

The story was really the growth of both and nothing new was told, just the reason of why Dong Hee left and his return. Ho Tae is as thick mentally as he is insightful. As he understood his feelings for Dong Hee, he knew why he dated the girls. They would never replace the one he wanted at his side. He knew that he was wrong so he gladly took the injuries. Dong Hee ran away to come full circle back to him. Hence the reason Ho Tae told him he was not intouch with his feelings.

The story wasn't new but it felt fresh in its delivery. The moments were realistically light and not bogged down with melodrama. The actors were superb in their roles with great chemistry. What I would have loved to see, was one more episode with another 7 years passing and picking up where Dong Hee says, "Let me have this.", with Ho Tae's arms wrapped around him. Whatever errors (the story lag in 4 and 5, Won Young in the same town and school when he only newly arrived in ULS ) are easily forgiven as it was definitely worth the wait. I'm left wanting more of all four. As a movie this would have worked better than the series. Still very grateful. Rewatch - definitely!

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Kim Woobin’s dengan karakter barunya

Meski kim woobin gak seaktif actor lain, dia jadi salah satu actor non skip buat gua. 90% drama/filmnya dia selalu gua tonton. Film ini cukup refreshing sih mengingat kebanyakan kim woobin difilm/drama tuh karakternya fierce. Kadang suka nyelenah, dingin, atau sengak tp disini enggak.

Kayanya sih ini pertama kalinya dia berkarakter innocent dengan positive vibe bahkan bukan cuma script tapi raut muka dan gelagat dia pun berkarakter baik, lumayan wow nontonnya. Kerennya dia mampu ngebangun gairah anak muda yang belum banyak pengalaman tergambar dalam film ini. Disini gua gak tau umurnya Jung Do tp gua menduga antara dia gak lama baru lulus sekolah atau kemungkinan gak lebih dari maksimal 27th.

Gua suka banget disini peran senior, bokap dan temen2nya Jung Do tuh dapet semua di porsinya masing2, serasa Jung Do tuh anak baik2 yang dikelilingi orang2 yang care dan udah mengakui eksistensi dia.

Gua juga suka sama garis besar masalah sosial yang diangkat dalam film ini, kasus kejahatan seksual emang makin hari makin nambah, Kalo kita gak super aware pasti akan terus berkembang dan jadi sebuah hal yang biasa buat orang2 aneh itu.

Yang jelas film ini cukup masuk dalam standar menghibur. Upliftingnya juga dapet. Gak kepengen banyak kritik karna gua rasa ngemas pake durasi film dengan hasil kaya gini ya udah bagus.

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Prequel

Yes, I absolutely love the beginning story for this side couple from ULS. Only thing is the ending skips a bit with less information about what went on between him being hurt and them meeting again. Seemed like a good amount of fluff just to add to get them to the beginning of ULS. You get more details later in ULS but still vague so I think it would have been good having it added here then the fluff. All in All though very very good. Less drama then from ULS which was very welcoming.


Just wish they had more solid closure in the end like the Mains in the first drama.

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Left Wanting . . .

A longing that in its infancy couldn't be realized. Brimming over with desire and shame, The Time of Fever captured the curiosity, confusion, and fear that often come with the experience of young love for Queer people. Chosen isolation, violent battles waged alone in your mind, denial, hesitant steps forward before sprinting away, jealousy, and parental abuse/distance.

The cinematography and sound design lent themselves to becoming the two MLs' senses, directing our attention to where their attention was. When Dong Hee picks up on Ho Tae's breathing and everything else goes quiet, when in a tension-filled moment, after allowing his gaze to linger, Ho Tae notices Dong Hee's eyes nervously flitting away from his own. The overwhelming grip of Ho Tae's hand on Dong Hee's shoulder, the taste of citrus on Dong Hee's tongue, and the scent of rain surrounding them and soaking both their clothes.

I was beckoned in and captured. Every moment was raw and real enough to make my own breath stop or send a shiver down my spine.

The only reason I considered giving this less than a 10/10 is because it sparked a longing in ME for more.

What are you doing? Go watch it!

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"Will it be fun?"

Officer Black Belt takes the viewer into the world of parole officers who deal with ex-offenders who are still being monitored with ankle bracelets. In South Korea they have martial arts officers who are the muscle for the parole officers when things go wrong. Kim Woo Bin packed on 8 kg/17.5 pounds to look more imposing for his role as a directionless man who finds his direction helping to protect the parole officers and citizens of Seoul.

Lee Jung Do spends his life doing what is fun. Fun for him is martial arts training where he holds third dan black belts in Taekwondo, Judo, and Kenpo. When he’s not fighting for fun he plays video games with his best buds. He also delivers fried chicken for his dad’s restaurant. On the way home one night he comes across a martial arts officer wounded in a fight and takes down the criminal. After receiving an award Parole officer Kim Sun Min offers him a temporary job while the officer recovers. Jung Do soon finds he has a natural affinity for being a martial arts officer and helping people.

Officer Black Belt had action and humor in a film dealing with a terrible subject-sexual assault and child exploitation films. Like Jung Do, most of us will want to taser certain parts off of the perpetrators’ bodies. The film went from a case of the week to an overarching villainous gang and uber-villain. Kang Ki Jung had sexually assaulted 15 children and only received 20 years in prison (that’s a little over a year per child-what is the criminal justice system thinking!!!) Jung Do and Sun Min would have to use all of their skills and put their lives on the line to prevent more children from becoming victims after he was released.

This was one of Kim Woo Bin’s stronger roles as he displayed a range of emotions as the friendly fighter who grew to enjoy the responsibilities of his job. Kim Sung Kyun as Kim Sun Min brought the bro in bromance as he guided Jung Do in his new career. Lee Hyun Geol was creepily effective as the enormous Big Bad villain. There were some continuity issues as day turned into night in a matter of seconds in several scenes. I enjoyed the first half of the film more when the officers went more by the book. In the second half they recklessly went into dangerous situations without calling for back-up. Jung Do relied on his Scooby Gang instead of looping the cops into the evidence they found which seemed irresponsible and put their lives in danger. While Taekwondo is a great competition martial art, Jung Do really needed some additional training in how to hit the vulnerable spots-eyes, ears, neck, knees-if he was going to continue fighting gangs of bad guys or with one-on-one fighting with well-trained bad guys.

Overall, Officer Black Belt was entertaining and Kim Woo Bin’s performance was engaging. There was plenty of action and the fights were well choreographed. The film didn’t break any new ground in the action arena but I did like that they attempted to shine a ray of light into the darkness. When strength was called for, they brought it, and when compassion was called for they brought that, too. To answer Lee Jung Do's question "Will it be fun?" at his interview--yes, it will be fun. When it's not terrifying.

13 September 2024

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valeu a pena a espera!

estou tão feliz que a espera valeu a pena!!

uma das minhas reclamações sobre uls foi como eles introduziram algumas coisas envolvendo o dongee e o hotae e deixaram de lado na série, e eles decidiram nos presentar com isso daqui. gostei muito como a história dos dois foi contada, eu sabia que não seria uma obra muito focada no romance mas eles entregaram muito mais do que eu estava esperando. É muito bonita a relação de família retratada aqui, dá pra ver que existe um amor muito genuíno entre os personagens. Acho que sonhar com um outro filme/série narrando eventos do futuro é demais mas espero que um dia aconteça :).

p.s. a fotografia e trilha sonora continuou sendo um trabalho impecável

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Amazing and Fever Spin-off

This new series really makes you feel the fever. This was definitely an amazing, cute and beautiful spin-off — not a single episode was boring, as it took us back to the past of characters we had already met in “Unintentional Love Story”.

It makes us want to watch the next episode right away, where we find beautiful scenes. It was a surprise to see the special appearance of one of the characters from “Unintentional Love Story” (a secret), even though he only appeared for a few brief minutes. It would be amazing to have a series about the lives of the characters in the future!

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BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION

In 2023, a story about a young man who spies on his company president's favorite reclusive artist to get his job back, captured the hearts of Korean series enthusiasts in general and lovers of boy love stories in particular.
TVING's original drama 'Unintentional Love Story', based on the manhwa and webtoon of the same name, written by Phoebe, starring Cha Seo Won as Yoon Tae Joon, and Gong Chan as Ji Won Young, showed us a second couple, played by actors Woo Tae Min ('You Make Me Dance', 2021), and Han Do Woo ('Love Playlist: Season 5' (2021), the former playing Go Ho Tae, and the latter playing Kim Dong Hee.
Loved by fans and the cause of the so-called "sub-disease" or love for the protagonists of the stories attached to the main one, at the end of the series complaints rained down requesting that the story of Ho Tae and Dong Hee be resumed to tell the exciting previous relationship between these two young people that was not included in the series, especially one that reflected their exciting school days.
Ultimately, the request was to represent in another work the vague narrative and interesting relationship of the couple made up of Go Ho Tae and Kim Dong Hee; but equally, that the future main couple was assumed by the same actors, with the same character names.
Thus came the idea of ​​filming a spin-off to tell a sad, but at the same time beautiful and tender story of two children who grew up together and discovered mutual love.
Directed by Yang Kyung Hee, a renowned director who has filmed several BL stories, such as 'A Tractor Loaded with Love' and 'The Director Who Buys Me Dinner', both from 2023, or 'I Wanna Bite It' ('Kissable Lips' ), from 2022, and 'Florida Banjeom', from 2021, and with the script masterfully crafted by Shin Yoo ('Where Your Eyes Linger', 2020), the film 'The Time of Fever' ('When your temperature touches my fingers' '), introduces the viewer to an immersive narrative journey.
At the forefront, Won Tae Min shines as a straight swimmer who one day discovers he's in love with his best friend, along with Han Do Woo's nuanced portrayal of the character he plays, and the support of a talented cast who bring depth to their respective roles.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR AND HIS WORK

In the film, its director approaches the issue of homosexuality with an intimate and personal approach, a topic that, as has already been said, he has addressed on previous occasions.
Yang Kyung Hee's work is marked by a display of sexual and emotional discovery, a theme that is addressed in a very suggestive way in 'The Time of Fever'. Far from reaching that need to search for personal identity from the beginning, with this film, the South Korean director takes up a love story not told in depth in an original story already brought to the small screen.
Therefore, from the perspective of the journey to the roots, a reunion between two old friends ends up becoming a labyrinth of passions. What stands out about the script is that it gets rid of superficial flourishes or moral dilemmas about the conception of masculinity. Although at certain moments he highlights the clichés surrounding homosexuality, he then puts them aside to reveal an internal story. Thanks to this, it gives the public a love story without consuming, where the fact that they are men becomes something circumstantial, but necessary.
In this way, the film talks about feelings and the attractiveness of emotion, where the physical becomes the result of an intimacy that occurs prior to sexual relations. It cannot be denied that that depth about what it means to love, desire or suffer is what makes the difference. Although the story follows a structure that has already been seen previously in other films, also with LGBT+ themes, perhaps, that naturalness of the unexpected love between two people with a common past makes it become a different film.

THE HISTORY

Produced by Number Three Pictures Co., Ltd., the film tells us that Ho Tae and Dong Hee have grown up as brothers since childhood. Ho Tae, who was born in Gangneung and moved to Seoul the year he graduated from primary school due to problems with his father's business, was never particularly interested in studying. For this reason, he started swimming at the school he transferred to in the South Korean capital.
Owner of enough talent to occupy a high position on the swimming team, he is forced to return to his hometown after his father's funeral, because his mother decided that they would return to start a business.
Upon returning home, Ho Tae, now 17 years old, discovered that Dong Hee, who is two years older than him, had filled the space that had been empty for a long time. Dong Hee, who had been expelled from his father's house after admitting to his family that he is homosexual, found a roof over his head in Ho Tae's uninhabited house.
Born as sons of friendly mothers, both, without any full siblings, grew up together as older and younger neighborhood brothers.
In the summer of Dong Hee's third year at High School, Ho Tae returned. The two meet again and end up living together under the same roof.
Despite their close brotherly bond, Dong Hee, who has hidden his homosexuality after being beaten by his father, who also called him "mentally ill" for this reason, cannot help but feel emotional when he sees Ho Tae, who is like a real brother to him, but he is also his first love, and he tries to repress his feelings. But it's not easy to bury these feelings.
Similarly, Ho Tae, who sees his friend as a kind young man who likes to smile, confronted with Dong Hee's presence, also develops feelings for the boy whom he has not seen in a long time, but is confused by those feelings sensations stirring inside him that he had never experienced before.
In an effort to escape his confusing emotions, Ho Tae begins dating girls in superficial relationships, which inadvertently causes pain to the previously independent Student Council president and valedictorian of his school.
As their dynamic changes after an unforeseen event, the delicate balance of their relationship hangs in the balance.

OF ACTORS AND CHARACTERS

Having a cast with few performers allows the acting direction to be focused and give greater impact to those who participate. In this way, in 'The Time of Fever' the protagonist duo is exploited above all. On the one hand, Woo Tae Min offers a metamorphosis in his character that gives him the ability to shine at an acting level. Along with this, you can see that he has a connection with the camera, giving realism and naturalness to his character at all times. Furthermore, the mischief with which he balances the most subjective effect contrasts with the sensitivity that he lets emerge at every step. It should also be noted that he is generous with his co-star, given that they form a team with great chemistry, where the tension necessary for this type of narrative is perceived.
On the other hand, Han Do Woo uses that connection with his co-star to his advantage, given that what begins as a performance in the background ends up exploiting his quality as an actor. On the one hand, it has that exquisite familiarity, which combines perfectly with the tone of the film and, then, it knows how to perfectly convey that whirlwind of sensations that lives inside. Likewise, it would be important to highlight the difficulty of being on a more restrained level, in the face of a reaction that follows that slower line, but letting out all the emotional tear that it suffers, with gestures and physical expression, something that it achieves perfectly.
With solid performances from both actors, I would highlight actor Do Woo's deeply repressed emotional performance. Won Tae Min's acting, which was childish but serious, is also very good.
They both express their feelings and emotions well. Both powerfully show the vision of two people leaning on each other's shoulders and seeming lost in deep thought.
Personally, I can perfectly empathize with the feelings and circumstances of the two characters.

SOME THOUGHTS

Korean LGBT+ films and series have gained significant popularity in recent years, captivating audiences with their heartfelt narratives and compelling characters. This lineup is joined by the spin-off of 'Unintentional Love Story'.
From the trailer, I anticipated that the reunion between the two old friends would provoke a complex mix of emotions, particularly for Dong Hee, whose affection for Ho Tae runs deeper than brotherly love. Upon learning that 'The Time of Fever' was in the process of filming, I was deeply curious to witness the synergy between these two young actors, and I must admit that they did not disappoint me.
This is one of the Korean LGBT+ film productions that delve into themes of love, friendship and self-discovery within the context of same-sex relationships. Through its delicate depiction of emotions and nuanced storytelling, this film offers viewers a unique combination of romance and drama, providing insight into the complexities of love and identity in contemporary Korean society.
The temporal background of the work is from the fall of 2013 to the spring of 2014, and from there it jumps, in its final scenes, to the present, to make it coincide with the story told in 'Unintentional Love Story', in which It tells the reunion of Dong Hee with Ho Tae, when the former returns to his hometown after studying in Seoul, while the latter runs a business with his mother.
As was the case with the OST sung by actress Cha Seo Won in 'Unintentional Love Story', the OST sung by Won Tae Min in 'The Time of Fever' is one of the many notable aspects of the film.
In addition to "You Call My Name", by B1A4, used as the final song, we will hear in the soft and emotional voice of the actor who plays Ho Tae the song "What If (원태민), composed by Kwak Jeong Im, which captures the deep emotions of the film, and "Someday Again" (언젠가 또 다시), by Masa (도우).
The viewer will feel as if the lyrics of the songs and the content of the film are intertwined, further increasing the emotions.
And the kiss scenes, especially the first one... still shake me because of their tension and the tremor of that moment.
The cameo of Gong Chan, who played Ji Won Young in 'Unintentional Love Story', is a special and long-awaited appearance.
The cinematography is exquisite. The day and night views of Donghae-si, Samcheok-si and Gangwon-do, Samcheok Meister High School and Mangsang Beach, where the film was shot, are beautiful.
Even knowing that the ending would not be happy, in order to connect the story with that told in 'Unintentional Love Story', the exploration that 'The Time of Fever' makes about sexuality is one of the most attractive that South Korean cinema has given. in a long time, with maturity, without resentments and with much more reality than fantasy. A story that will break our own internal and external limits, as it will make us cry, it will tear our hearts, but we will always keep in mind that the story of Ho Tae and Dong Hee does not end here.
Despite the lack of sincerity of the two in not expressly acknowledging their feelings, the rapprochement between both characters, very well carried out by Woo Tae Min and Han Do Woo, is honest and credible, a teenage friendship that is slowly growing. They are the story and it is the chemistry between them that allows the film to be beautiful, at the same time sad and heartbreaking.

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