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How is one's sexual identity formed during puberty? The film <Fly by Night> questions the true meaning of sexual identity through the eyes of a young boy experiencing a difficult adolescence. The young boy is used to selling himself to older men. One client said he would pay more for having sex without a condom. But after sex, the man confesses that he doesn't have enough cash. The client promises to pay the boy the next day and sends him home. The next day, the boy evades his elder brother's eyes to meet the man who owes him money. Upon their second encounter, the young boy makes a suggestion. He asks if they can start a serious relationship, instead of having to sell his body.

 

 

The boy in <Fly by Night> is young. It can be assumed that he probably lost his mother recently, and is living a poor life with his only brother. From a distance, his situation does not seem very different from other boys his age who have poor living conditions. He gets upset when his brother confiscates his mobile phone because of unpaid bills, and gets scolded when he is caught smoking. But the true difference between the boy and his peers is that he is a minor having sex with an older person of the same sex. The film focuses on the dual life of this young boy. The important thing is, SOHN does not try to set apart the boy's life from other typical boys his age. When the boy hesitates before saying something to the man, the viewers would naturally expect him to ask for more money so that he can cover his phone bills. Instead, he asks "would it be strange if we dated?" Although their relationship centers on money, the boy believes he can share his worries with the man by asking him to be his boyfriend. But instead of asking him keenly, he is more worried if this relationship would be considered strange according to social norms.

 

 

The film tries to take a look at how homosexuality, a special kind of sexual identity, is perceived differently based on the environment or other external factors. For a poor boy, sympathy and comfort does not require big favors. A simple stick of lip balm lent by the man can be all that it takes to feel understood. During confused times and a difficult adolescence, what he needs is that kind of simple consolation rather than unconditional scorn. At first the homosexuality illustrated in <Fly by Night> may seem degrading and wrong, but it still deserves to be analyzed in a fresh light.

 

 

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