Youth in the 90s is a complex issue and almost impossible to define. Whether conveying conformity or transgression, this film attempts to twist the values and norms of institutions. Min and Taesu are slackers who spend their time fighting. Min transfers to another school where he meets Hwan-Kyu. One day Min goes on a rampage in the faculty room when he finds Hwan-Kyu being punished. They are banned from school and start anew by opening a noodle shop. Meanwhile Taesu joins a gang but is killed when his ambitions become an obstacle to the underworld organization. Hwan-Kyu loses the shop after being cheated by the building owner. Min breaks up with Hwan-Kyu after fighting over a woman, and mourns Taesu′s death. A mixture of film noir and comic book iconography, Beat doesn′t stray from genre conventions. With choreography of lighting and fast tempo editing, the director creates a world of exploding youth whose angst is sublimated through transgression and speed. (Lee Sang-Yong)