Set in a slumbering South Korean coastal village, The Time of Fever (2024) is a delicate, atmospheric prequel to the beloved BL series Unintentional Love Story. This coming-of-age gay film layers uncertainty, doubt, and longing atop the painful fragility of teenage love.
Told with gentle emotional clarity, the narrative follows the reunion of two childhood friends—one out and hurting, the other still learning what love means. The Time of Fever offers a slow-burning but emotionally powerful LGBT experience seldom seen in Korean film with its soft images, emotionally rich performances, and emphasis on little, daily events.
The Time Of Fever Official Trailer
The Time Of Fever Summary | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Time Of Fever |
| Movies Info: | South Korea (2024) |
| Length: | 101 minutes |
| Is The Time Of Fever BL? | Yes, there's a BL romance. |
| Genre: | Romance, Drama, Boy's love |
Plot
Haotai and Donghee were childhood friends who grew up like brothers. Years later, after Haotai returns to Gangneung for his father’s funeral, he finds Donghee secretly living in his old home. Donghee, having been kicked out for coming out, now lives alone in Haotai’s empty house. As the two begin to share a roof again, lingering emotions rise to the surface. Donghee tries to contain his feelings for the boy who was once his first love, while Haotai—confused by emotions he’s never faced—begins dating women in denial.
But the distance they try to maintain collapses after a sudden, unexpected kiss. What follows is a slow-burning, heartfelt story of emotional confusion, closeness, desire, and longing between two boys learning how to love each other again.
The Time of Fever Cast
Charactor
A quiet and sensitive teenager who has been disowned for coming out. His love for Haotai is deep, but he keeps his feelings hidden, choosing gentle gestures over confrontation.
Won Taemin
Won Taemin is an actor celebrated for his emotionally layered performances in Korean indie films and queer dramas. He gained acclaim in Unintentional Love Story and continues to be a strong presence in LGBTQ+ Korean cinema.
A hot-blooded swimmer who returns home and begins to confront unfamiliar feelings for his childhood best friend. He’s impulsive but emotionally honest in his own way.
Do Woo
Do Woo is known for playing passionate yet emotionally vulnerable characters. His performance in this film marks a major leap in emotional complexity and continues his breakout from Unintentional Love Story.
Director
Yang Kyeong-hui
Yang Kyeong-hui is a Korean director and screenwriter known for her delicate handling of character-driven narratives. With a background in visual storytelling and a focus on youth psychology and queer identity, her work often explores the emotional inner worlds of misunderstood or displaced individuals. The Time of Fever is her latest exploration of same-sex love set against the quiet backdrops of coastal South Korea.
MOVIE HIGHLIGHT
Won Taemin and Do Woo’s on-screen partnership began in Unintentional Love Story, where they played adult versions of their characters. The Time of Fever takes us back to their youth and showcases the emotional origins of their relationship. Both actors are considered rising stars in queer Korean cinema.
The Time of Fever Review
Review
⭐ Story – 4.5 / 5
A restrained and emotionally grounded coming-of-age story, The Time of Fever captures the awkward confusion of queer teenage desire in all its contradictions. The pacing may be slow, but the emotional build-up is organic and rewarding. Rather than leaning into clichés or melodrama, the film paints a sincere portrait of unspoken feelings and the painful limits of youth.
⭐ Acting – 5.0 / 5
Both leads—Won Taemin (Donghee) and Do Woo (Haotai)—deliver incredibly raw and nuanced performances. Donghee’s reserved tenderness and Haotai’s impulsive vulnerability are portrayed with subtlety and authenticity. Especially memorable are the rain scene, the “teach me to kiss” moment, and Donghee’s conflicted eyes during their final day together.
⭐ Chemistry – 4.5 / 5
Their connection builds gradually—from quiet glances to tentative touches, and finally, to desperate kisses that feel both innocent and scorching. There’s a believable hesitation in their intimacy, and the physical tension is carefully modulated. The famous “orange kiss” scene is destined to become a fan-favorite.
⭐ Production – 4.0 / 5
Aesthetically, the film benefits from painterly cinematography and strong symbolic imagery—mirrors, rain, tomato juice. The filters can be heavy at times, but the visual language is consistent. The music, paired with key emotional beats, adds to the wistful atmosphere. The female director’s sensitivity toward mood and micro-expression is unmistakable.
⭐ Ending – 4.0 / 5
The ending is bittersweet but fitting. As Donghee quietly prepares to leave, the film doesn’t promise a clear resolution—but gives both boys space to grow. The emotional climax hits hard, but leaves room for reflection rather than closure. It feels like a pause rather than an end—a choice that matches the film’s overall tone.
The Time of Fever Information
Where to Watch
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