Taiwanese short film ‘Beats Per Minute’ tells the story of two boys who walk a very thin line between friendship and romance. They meet up for the first time in a while to catch up, though their nighttime journey through the city has the undeniable chemistry between them showing up when they least expect it. Keep reading to find out where this fateful night leads!
The short film begins with Yong-Ning spending his night playing a crane arcade game alone. His attempt at winning a prize from the game is interrupted by a sudden phone call from his longtime friend Yi-Jie, whom he hasn’t seen in quite some time. Yi-Jie invites him to hang out. After some quick small talk, Yong-Ning agrees and leaves the arcade to meet up with his old friend.
The two friends end up playing badminton together at a court, using the sport as a backdrop to their conversation. Things start with Yong-Ning teasing Yi-Jie about the girls, asking whether Yi-Jie is eyeing someone new or is still hung up over the last girl he told Yong-Ning about. He replied that there was no new girl and it was still her. Unfortunately for him, though, she told him she was already dating someone. He follows this with a comment about her not posting her supposed boyfriend on social media, though whether there is another boy or the girl just made him up to convince Yi-Jie to give up on her, is left ambiguous. As the conversation continues, though, the game gets more intense, drawing their attention away from their chat and towards the match, with Yi-Jie even removing his hoodie before continuing. As Yi-Jie wins the game, he celebrates and thanks an imaginary applauding crowd. Yong-Ning teases him and they begin chasing each other around the court while giggling and getting lost in their world as the chemistry between them begins to tingle.
As Yi-Jie waits for Yong-Ning on his motorcycle, the latter comes back with a drink he bought and hands it to the former. Yi-Jie thanks him at first, but upon realizing that only one drink was bought, he offers the drink back to Yong-Ning. While they don’t make a big show out of it, the mutual concern they share is clear as day. Yong-Ning teases Yi-Jie a little by starting the motorcycle before he gets on before they head to their next destination.
Throughout the motorcycle ride through the streets, the two playfully bicker, with Yong-Ning complaining about the smell of Yi-Jie’s burp, which Yi-Jie argues he shouldn’t be able to smell due to the direction of the wind. The lighthearted argument then transitions to Yi-Jie complaining about their travel speed, with Yong-Ning replying that Yi-Jie’s fat ass was slowing them down. Yi-Jie jokes in return that Yong-Ning hasn’t even seen his real ass, which Yong-Ning mischievously laughs at, but refuses to reply when Yi-Jie asks him to elaborate. Yong-Ning dodges the topic by saying it’s dangerous to distract him while he drives the motorcycle and the two do end up having to slow down for their safety.
