This review may contain spoilers
A sweet gem
STORY:
I loved this story and I could shamelessly end my review here, but I’ve missed a chance to yap and so I will continue. Seeing some dissability representation in a drama, especially in a BL, is so indescribably welcomed. I’m not deaf/hard of hearing myself and so I’ll always leave room for thsoe who are to have the final say, but to me, it was incredibly respectfully done. Not once did I feel like Kohei was infantalized or viewed as lesser than (besides during scenes of bullying, and even then those were kept short and without overdoing it).
Half way while watching did I pop by here to read some reviwes, head over heals already and curious for what others thought, and what I read did lower my expectations and thrill towards the series (momentarily). Reading how people were unsatisfied by the pacing, how the story seemingly began to drag on after the first 1/3, running in circles etc, I couldn’t help but wonder if this would be yet another title I ended up dropping. I’m so glad I didn’t.
Yes, it’s truly a slow burn of a stituation due to Taichi being being a bit dense (so one sided slow burn I suppose).
Yes, I also wish there had been at least one proper kiss (Japan, stop with these awkward hovering fake-kisses).
Yes, Kohei and Taichi weren’t on screen together every given scene.
All of this aside, will I challenge with that we as viewers have gotten too comfortable recieving fast paced feelings and explicit scenes. I didn’t find this story slow in a boring way - perhaps if the episodes had been longer, but 25 minutes felt like nothing - at any point, I never felt that they backtracked or ran in circles, and while no kissing did we get SO many exclamations of love (whoever said it was a bromance need to look up the definition of ”Aishite” because that’s some serious confessions) near the end, which is exactly when I (personally) want to see it.
As for Taichi’s slow processing of his own feelings, do I feel like it made perfect sense to the character. Evidently is he very attentive to others feelings and emotional states, something that’s a very impressive detail to rember to add to a character who’s been evidently neglected by both parents. This is one of the few critques I have - I wish this had gotten more room in the story.
Of course Taichi isn’t giving genuine room to think and feel about more than the necessities, when he was made to feel like a problem and chore to have to do with. Too much, if you will, dropped at his grandpa’s in lack of anywhere else to stay. I’m sensing that, while surely a growing boy in need of sustainance, Taichi is using food as a form of emotional regulation (and shield). It’s a need that can be easily met, understood and if criticised - impersonal. I don’t think Taichi was taht far behind Kohei in terms of growing feelings, but while Kohei has a loving and understanding mother who listens to him and give him room to feel as well as the tools to express them (when and if he wants), Taichi tucks his away to not be in the way (or unwanted) AND seemingly don’t know how to properly go about the times he can’t (example: him crying while talking to Kohei right before the kiss).
While not the centre plot, it was something that shook me violently seeing only to then be forgotten about; one of many reasons why a season two would be lovely.
I liked that it took him time, I liked that he got discouraged by Koheis choice of words once he tried to open up at the end, I liked that Kohei found him and I really liked that once it was said, Kohei struggled grasping that it was reality whole Taichi’s character stayed true, too: no embarrassment or issue with it.
I also loved that ”I love you” wasn’t held at gunpoint. Kissing in all honour, but verbal affirmation matters just as much. Kohei signed it and Taichi found out what it meant by own accord. Taichi then said it aloud to Kohei. And at the end, that was so evidently what Kohei mouthed at Taichi. It felt right for this specific series and it was made clear again and again that they /like/ eachother. + Thos elittle napkin ”ghosts” outsie Taichi’s hoem going from one to a pair was such a obvious symbolisim.
Regarding Maya and this hate-train towards her: can’t say I was mad about that, either. Frustrated, sure. But certainly didn’t hate it. I think it was one of the better depictions of this specific plot tool; no strange straight romance side-plot rendering the girl to some tool, she had plenty for personality, valid reasons for how she behaved although definetly a shitty attitude and in the wrong for how she let it show, and didn’t push anything onto Kohei. He was in love with Taichi, and even if she didn’t understand WHY he liked him, she never tried to insert herself. Just my own five cents.
What I would have wished being done differently, or seen more off, would (again) be Taichi’s home situation; there was so much more that could’ve been done there and that would’ve further deepened his character.
They could’ve polished Kohei’s more straight-on approaches - I like that he communicated it, I just wish it had been a little less towards this stereotypical ”I’ll do what I want with you regardless of what you feel” take that East asian dramas are fond of pulling.
The kiss could’ve been a proper one - I’m sure the actors wouldn’t have minded. No need for a makeout, just lip-on-lip.
Dare I say a bit more on the topic of Kohei’s hearing going worse. It just felt like it got left behind a bit. I’d rather take that any day over them rendering him to only a deaf kid, but you know, it’s taxing feeling like your body betrays you.
Probably something more but I gave the story a 9 for a reason.
ACTING/CAST:
Only reason this isn't a 10, is because I’m a tad sensitive to that over-the-top acting that Taichi’s actor did at times, which is purely a personal preference. I’m raised on Scandinavian movie acting, which is all about less-is-more and so it can break the illusion for me and remind me that I’m watching a movie.
Besides that did everyone, and I mean everyone, do an incredible job. The casting for each character was brilliant, and never in my life have I felt and believed that every side character in fact also have an everyday and isn’t just conveniently around when needed the way I did while watching IHTS. The actors gave so much personality to their characters as well as suited them beautifully. Whoever did the casting cared deeply about each character.
Nakasawa (Kohei) and Kobayashi (Taichi) had insane chemistry. I believed every second of their affection towards one another. The way they looked at eachother, the way their bodylanguage changed when interacting - it was beautiful. I want a season 2 for the chance of seeing them work this new relationship out. Didn’t hurt that they also look very good together.
MUSIC:
Giving it a 7 because no song really struck my feelings, it was just really forgettable. BUT, and this is a huge but, even if not a striking soundtrack, did every song suit its scene, wasn’t too loud or weirdly cut.
REWATCH VALUE:
This is a comfort type of show for sure, and I could see myself go back and rewatch scenes. Maybe not the whole thing, but who knows? It’s short, dense episodes and (to me) great pacing with plenty of butterfly-inducing moments, not to forget that it’s visually gorgeous.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I love this type of dramas. I like when not everything happens too fast or too intense, I don’t mind less intimacy (I fear I hate unnecessary sex scenes for the sake of explicity) and I love pining/longing with all of my heart. Also the lack of pushy stereotypes (top/bottom especially) is so refreshing you all don’t understand. Perhaps my first BL having been Love Sick: the series (2014) with 48 episodes, 45 minutes each, with one (unreleased, mind you) kiss and so much back-and-forth you wouldn’t BELIEVE, shaped me, but I like the slow; the tender; the gentle. If I can tell the characters like one another, and look at eachother as if they hung the moon respectively, then it’s a winner in my books. And "I hear the sunspot” had just that. Definetly a new favourite of mine.
I loved this story and I could shamelessly end my review here, but I’ve missed a chance to yap and so I will continue. Seeing some dissability representation in a drama, especially in a BL, is so indescribably welcomed. I’m not deaf/hard of hearing myself and so I’ll always leave room for thsoe who are to have the final say, but to me, it was incredibly respectfully done. Not once did I feel like Kohei was infantalized or viewed as lesser than (besides during scenes of bullying, and even then those were kept short and without overdoing it).
Half way while watching did I pop by here to read some reviwes, head over heals already and curious for what others thought, and what I read did lower my expectations and thrill towards the series (momentarily). Reading how people were unsatisfied by the pacing, how the story seemingly began to drag on after the first 1/3, running in circles etc, I couldn’t help but wonder if this would be yet another title I ended up dropping. I’m so glad I didn’t.
Yes, it’s truly a slow burn of a stituation due to Taichi being being a bit dense (so one sided slow burn I suppose).
Yes, I also wish there had been at least one proper kiss (Japan, stop with these awkward hovering fake-kisses).
Yes, Kohei and Taichi weren’t on screen together every given scene.
All of this aside, will I challenge with that we as viewers have gotten too comfortable recieving fast paced feelings and explicit scenes. I didn’t find this story slow in a boring way - perhaps if the episodes had been longer, but 25 minutes felt like nothing - at any point, I never felt that they backtracked or ran in circles, and while no kissing did we get SO many exclamations of love (whoever said it was a bromance need to look up the definition of ”Aishite” because that’s some serious confessions) near the end, which is exactly when I (personally) want to see it.
As for Taichi’s slow processing of his own feelings, do I feel like it made perfect sense to the character. Evidently is he very attentive to others feelings and emotional states, something that’s a very impressive detail to rember to add to a character who’s been evidently neglected by both parents. This is one of the few critques I have - I wish this had gotten more room in the story.
Of course Taichi isn’t giving genuine room to think and feel about more than the necessities, when he was made to feel like a problem and chore to have to do with. Too much, if you will, dropped at his grandpa’s in lack of anywhere else to stay. I’m sensing that, while surely a growing boy in need of sustainance, Taichi is using food as a form of emotional regulation (and shield). It’s a need that can be easily met, understood and if criticised - impersonal. I don’t think Taichi was taht far behind Kohei in terms of growing feelings, but while Kohei has a loving and understanding mother who listens to him and give him room to feel as well as the tools to express them (when and if he wants), Taichi tucks his away to not be in the way (or unwanted) AND seemingly don’t know how to properly go about the times he can’t (example: him crying while talking to Kohei right before the kiss).
While not the centre plot, it was something that shook me violently seeing only to then be forgotten about; one of many reasons why a season two would be lovely.
I liked that it took him time, I liked that he got discouraged by Koheis choice of words once he tried to open up at the end, I liked that Kohei found him and I really liked that once it was said, Kohei struggled grasping that it was reality whole Taichi’s character stayed true, too: no embarrassment or issue with it.
I also loved that ”I love you” wasn’t held at gunpoint. Kissing in all honour, but verbal affirmation matters just as much. Kohei signed it and Taichi found out what it meant by own accord. Taichi then said it aloud to Kohei. And at the end, that was so evidently what Kohei mouthed at Taichi. It felt right for this specific series and it was made clear again and again that they /like/ eachother. + Thos elittle napkin ”ghosts” outsie Taichi’s hoem going from one to a pair was such a obvious symbolisim.
Regarding Maya and this hate-train towards her: can’t say I was mad about that, either. Frustrated, sure. But certainly didn’t hate it. I think it was one of the better depictions of this specific plot tool; no strange straight romance side-plot rendering the girl to some tool, she had plenty for personality, valid reasons for how she behaved although definetly a shitty attitude and in the wrong for how she let it show, and didn’t push anything onto Kohei. He was in love with Taichi, and even if she didn’t understand WHY he liked him, she never tried to insert herself. Just my own five cents.
What I would have wished being done differently, or seen more off, would (again) be Taichi’s home situation; there was so much more that could’ve been done there and that would’ve further deepened his character.
They could’ve polished Kohei’s more straight-on approaches - I like that he communicated it, I just wish it had been a little less towards this stereotypical ”I’ll do what I want with you regardless of what you feel” take that East asian dramas are fond of pulling.
The kiss could’ve been a proper one - I’m sure the actors wouldn’t have minded. No need for a makeout, just lip-on-lip.
Dare I say a bit more on the topic of Kohei’s hearing going worse. It just felt like it got left behind a bit. I’d rather take that any day over them rendering him to only a deaf kid, but you know, it’s taxing feeling like your body betrays you.
Probably something more but I gave the story a 9 for a reason.
ACTING/CAST:
Only reason this isn't a 10, is because I’m a tad sensitive to that over-the-top acting that Taichi’s actor did at times, which is purely a personal preference. I’m raised on Scandinavian movie acting, which is all about less-is-more and so it can break the illusion for me and remind me that I’m watching a movie.
Besides that did everyone, and I mean everyone, do an incredible job. The casting for each character was brilliant, and never in my life have I felt and believed that every side character in fact also have an everyday and isn’t just conveniently around when needed the way I did while watching IHTS. The actors gave so much personality to their characters as well as suited them beautifully. Whoever did the casting cared deeply about each character.
Nakasawa (Kohei) and Kobayashi (Taichi) had insane chemistry. I believed every second of their affection towards one another. The way they looked at eachother, the way their bodylanguage changed when interacting - it was beautiful. I want a season 2 for the chance of seeing them work this new relationship out. Didn’t hurt that they also look very good together.
MUSIC:
Giving it a 7 because no song really struck my feelings, it was just really forgettable. BUT, and this is a huge but, even if not a striking soundtrack, did every song suit its scene, wasn’t too loud or weirdly cut.
REWATCH VALUE:
This is a comfort type of show for sure, and I could see myself go back and rewatch scenes. Maybe not the whole thing, but who knows? It’s short, dense episodes and (to me) great pacing with plenty of butterfly-inducing moments, not to forget that it’s visually gorgeous.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I love this type of dramas. I like when not everything happens too fast or too intense, I don’t mind less intimacy (I fear I hate unnecessary sex scenes for the sake of explicity) and I love pining/longing with all of my heart. Also the lack of pushy stereotypes (top/bottom especially) is so refreshing you all don’t understand. Perhaps my first BL having been Love Sick: the series (2014) with 48 episodes, 45 minutes each, with one (unreleased, mind you) kiss and so much back-and-forth you wouldn’t BELIEVE, shaped me, but I like the slow; the tender; the gentle. If I can tell the characters like one another, and look at eachother as if they hung the moon respectively, then it’s a winner in my books. And "I hear the sunspot” had just that. Definetly a new favourite of mine.
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