Heart Stain – Series Review & Episode Guide

Woohyun is a high school senior with a secret crush on Jeongmin, his homeroom teacher and club advisor. Jeongmin is kind, mature, and down-to-earth, making him easy to admire. Woohyun is drawn to his teacher's warm personality and quickly becomes smitten. One day, Woohyun hints to Jeongmin that he likes a guy, although he keeps the details vague. Jeongmin is supportive, interpreting their exchange as a student coming out. However, he has no idea that Woohyun's feelings are actually for him.

Woohyun knows that a teacher-student relationship is taboo and has no intention of confessing his feelings. Woohyun understands Jeongmin could never reciprocate, yet he still feels tormented by his unrequited love. His best friend and classmate, Doha, notices Woohyun's inner struggle. By paying attention to his reactions, Doha figures out that Woohyun has a crush on their teacher. Although shocked by his friend's sharp observation, Woohyun admits the truth.

Doha, who has a secret crush on Woohyun, sees this as a chance to confess his feelings. While Woohyun is shocked by his friend's sudden revelation, Doha proposes a bet. They should date until graduation. If Woohyun falls for him, Doha wins. If not, Woohyun wins. Since Woohyun wants to move on from his crush on Jeongmin, he agrees to the offer. Woohyun thinks this relationship will help distract him from his feelings for his teacher.

Woohyun and Doha start secretly dating around school. The couple agrees not to tell anyone. They take small steps in their relationship, like holding hands for the first time. Their outgoing friend, Sori, witnesses this moment. She's thrilled to see them together and promises to keep their secret. Meanwhile, their other friend, Taemin, playfully teases them about dating. Taemin seems unaware that his joke is actually true.

Although Doha is happy to be dating Woohyun, Woohyun feels conflicted. He enjoys spending time with Doha, but his heart still longs for Jeongmin. Moving on from his crush is harder than he expected. As class president, Woohyun frequently interacts with Jeongmin. Every time they talk, he falls for his teacher all over again. Doha, who notices Woohyun's lingering feelings, grows insecure. Doha wonders if he'll ever be able to sway Woohyun's heart.

Considering how problematic the BL genre can be, I was skeptical when Heart Stain first began. It introduced an iffy storyline about a high school student's feelings for his teacher. My mind prepared for the worst, expecting an inappropriate relationship. Thankfully, the series never crosses that line. It acknowledges the protagonist's crush is one-sided, treating this as a coming-of-age experience rather than an actual romance. While the teacher oversteps a few boundaries, he remains a mentor figure, not a love interest.

Heart Stain offers a gentle and introspective journey as Woohyun overcomes his unrequited love. He moves on by dating a friend, but his feelings don't change overnight. The series explores his heartache, showing the inner conflict between desire and disappointment. Its title is a nod to the lingering emotions that leave a mark, even after love fades. I appreciate the thoughtful writing, which presents Woohyun's struggles without judgment. Even though he falls for someone unsuitable, the story never mocks him. Admirably, Heart Stain treats this teenage crush with sympathy and respect.

The series is often dull. I sit through each episode, mildly interested in the events, but never excited by anything. The nature of unrequited love makes the pacing repetitive. Woohyun's struggle to move on is realistic, but it can feel tedious if you lack patience. Another issue is that the story doesn't expand beyond romance. We barely know the characters outside their love lives, so they seem one-dimensional. I can't tell you much about who Woohyun or Doha are beyond their relationship struggles. Their personalities and backgrounds remain underdeveloped.

The teenage romance feels awkward, partly due to the clunky writing in the beginning. The first few episodes could be restructured to create a smoother narrative. Important plot points, like Doha asking about Woohyun's crush, would resonate better with more buildup. Also, the relationship seems one-sided. Even after dating for a while, Woohyun still pines after his teacher. I sympathize with Doha because he likes his boyfriend more than the other way around. Since the feelings aren't mutual, I'm skeptical about the couple's connection and don't root for them.

Doha is a sweetheart with a sensitive nature. His interactions with Woohyun feel pleasant, but their romance lacks strong chemistry. While the two leads share a friendly rapport, I don't sense passionate sparks between them. Doha's actor (Ha Min) starts off a little nervous, but he impresses me in the final scene of Episode 6. His vulnerability makes me feel bad for his character, adding depth to the performance. I'm also entertained by the supporting cast. Sori and Taemin are so lively in every scene that my attention drifts toward them instead of the quieter protagonists.

The finale includes a time skip, but the transition from present to future is abrupt. After seven slow-paced episodes, the plot rushes through the last stretch. Even so, I like seeing an older Woohyun, who has moved on from his high school crush. His sincerity toward Doha feels genuine, and their relationship scenes are sweet. Despite the happy ending, I'm still not convinced by this couple. Their feelings never seemed strong enough to make the romance compelling. Overall, Heart Stain is nice but a little bland. The love story just doesn't resonate with me.