Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Reviews (5)

When the Waves Rise is a tender South Korean short film that captures the fragile beauty of a friendship teetering on the edge of something more. Hwi Yeong and Gyeong Jun have been inseparable best friends, their bond as natural as the tide. But a simple misunderstanding just before Hwi Yeong’s birthday sends ripples through their connection, with Gyeong Jun suddenly pulling away. As Hwi Yeong struggles to understand the silence, the film quietly explores the unspoken fears and societal pressures that can drown young love before it has a chance to breathe. Set against stunning coastal backdrops and bathed in gentle, melancholic light, this coming-of-age story doesn’t shout its emotions—it lets them rise like the waves. With realistic, un-polished performances from Moon So Ung and An Je Hyeon, the drama resonates with anyone who has ever been afraid to name what they feel. Awarded at the Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival, When the Waves Rise is a short but deeply moving slice of life that lingers long after the credits roll.

Moon So Ung

Cast

An Je Hyeon

Cast

Romance

Cast

Gay Male Lead

Cast

Episode data is coming soon.

6.7

out of 10

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cinematic_bl_fan

July 2025

9/10

I was blown away by how every frame in this short film felt like a Polaroid you'd want to keep forever. The soft light on the beach, the way the camera lingers on the characters' faces during silences—it's pure visual poetry. Yes, the story is simple, but the mood and atmosphere more than make up for it. An absolute gem for anyone who loves thoughtful, beautiful cinematography.

logic_over_fluff

March 2026

5/10

I get the appeal of a quiet slow-burn, but this felt more like a half-baked idea stretched to 40 minutes. The 'I'm not that way' line is so overused in BL that it made me roll my eyes. The acting was okay, but the actors looked too old for a high school coming-of-age story. The open ending didn't help either—I need some resolution, not just a pretty shot of the ocean.

vegas_pete_shipper

December 2025

8/10

I am a sucker for childhood friends who realize they have deeper feelings, and this film delivered exactly that. The chemistry between Hwi Yeong and Gyeong Jun is so subtle yet electric—you can feel the longing in every awkward glance. Even though it's short, I was completely invested. The ending made me tear up a little, and I've rewatched it three times already. More of this, please!

consent_matters_kdrama

September 2025

6/10

I appreciate that the film tries to show the pain of internalized homophobia and social shunning, but the resolution felt too rushed. The bullying is just passive silence, and we never see the characters really confront their feelings or the school environment. For a 2020 film, I was hoping for a bit more courage in the writing—maybe a character who speaks up. Still, it's a gentle starting point for conversations about LGBTQ+ youth in Korea.

ost_collector_2024

November 2025

7/10

The piano score in this short film is hauntingly beautiful—it perfectly captures the ebb and flow of emotions when you're too scared to say 'I love you.' I actually looked up the soundtrack after watching. The music alone makes this worth a watch, even if the storyline feels a bit familiar. A nice, melancholic mood piece that works well with headphones on a rainy evening.