I Hear the Sunspot – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

My gut tells me I Hear the Sunspot will be an iconic BL drama. In just a half-hour episode, it showcases the complexities of living with a hearing impairment, introduces two memorable main characters, and creates an intriguing relationship dynamic between them. Wow, everything comes together so smoothly. Although there are eleven episodes left, this premiere is a stellar start. My intuition as a BL watcher tells me the series is in a different league from most dramas in this genre.

I love Kohei and Taichi's bond. Taichi's personality seems so warm and easygoing. Their first meeting should've felt awkward, but Taichi quickly familiarized himself with this stranger. "Can you stop calling me Sakawa? I feel like a courier." Hehe, this moment is cute~ 😄 After discovering Kohei's hearing loss, Taichi remains respectful of his condition without patronizing his friend or treating him differently. Even though his character seems to have a reckless personality, he behaves in a surprisingly thoughtful manner. Taichi shows a deeper level of empathy beneath his cheerful exterior.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

I liked learning about Kohei's backstory and his experiences after the hearing loss. I'm so sad for him. 😢 The series highlights several microaggressions, which may seem like minor disturbances, but they carve away his self-confidence. Kohei behaves like an outcast because that's how others perceive him. They only focus on his hearing impairment, like it has become his one defining feature. I can understand why he'd feel alienated and retreat socially.

Despite Taichi's friendliness, Kohei still feels insecure due to past experiences. He distances himself from his new friend, thinking Taichi is too different for them to get along. After all, Taichi doesn't have a hearing impairment and can integrate himself into social settings easily. In contrast, Kohei faces communication barriers that isolate him from others. For example, the basketball players treat him differently because he wears hearing aids, an unpleasant experience that Taichi would never encounter. As Kohei dwells on their differences, he has growing doubts about their friendship.

Although Kohei pushes himself away, I'm glad Taichi reaches out and connects with him. Kohei may have been rude to him once, but Taichi won't give up on this friendship. By the end of the episode, Taichi's warm personality has reassured Kohei. Taichi is just such a good friend that anyone would be lucky to have in their lives. Of all his endearing traits, I love his forthright personality the most. When he calls out the professor for talking too fast, this moment highlights his ability to say what's on his mind. I admire how comfortable he is at expressing himself.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

Hehe, Kohei and Taichi's playful banter over lunch is cute! 😙 I enjoyed this episode because it shows them growing closer. Initially, Taichi seems reluctant to open up about coming from a divorced family. He keeps his concerns to himself and puts on a carefree facade. With Kohei's encouragement, Taichi feels comfortable talking about his past at the end of the episode. It's a well-done story arc that develops Taichi's character while highlighting his growing bond with Kohei.

Taichi and Miho have a tense encounter when she makes strange remarks about Kohei's hearing impairment. Taichi could have let those comments slide, especially since they weren't directed at him. Miho is a friend of a friend, so there's reason to keep the peace. However, I like that he speaks up and calls out her insensitivity. He defends Kohei even if his friend isn't here. Taichi rarely brings up Kohei's hearing condition when they hang out, never making it a central focus. But beneath Taichi's casual attitude, he's fiercely protective and mindful of Kohei's feelings.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

This episode starts with both protagonists keeping secrets from each other. Taichi doesn't reveal meeting with Miho, while Kohei won't share news about his hearing loss. Even thought they're friends, sharing uncomfortable experiences isn't always easy. Kohei's hearing impairment is only one of the communication barriers he faces. Another barrier is his insecurity, which makes him hesitant to be vulnerable and trust others with his issues. This self-consciousness is why he doesn't tell Taichi about his hearing loss worsening.

Kohei retreats socially and spends the summer alone. He's cooped up inside his house and won't socialize with anyone. His mom encourages him to hang out with "the boy you talk about all the time." LMAO. I love how his mom calls out his crush~ 🤭 Later, Kohei smiles after receiving a message from Taichi, and once again, she's on his case. "Oh, he must have said yes! That's why you're so happy!" LMAO. The mom is killing me. He can't keep any secrets from her. She knows everything!!! 😆

In this episode, the audiologist tells Kohei he might lose his hearing forever. The uncertainty hangs over him like a guillotine, adding a layer of psychological torment. I understand why he acts erratically. Kohei wants to confide in Taichi and tell him everything, including his love confession. However, Taichi won't discuss his date with Miho, and his secrecy makes Kohei cautious. How can I open up about my feelings when you won't do the same? Kohei realizes he can't trust Taichi with his secrets. Sadly, their miscommunication drives a wedge between them.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

Oh my goddd, this Miho storyline is getting aggravating. I'm sorry, but why are we still discussing this random girl from Episode 3? Miho isn't even a proper love interest. Yet, she has received a disproportionate amount of focus. Why is her irrelevant subplot dragged over three episodes? Can we please drop the conflict or resolve it ASAP? Let's pick something else to argue about. I don't want to hear Miho's name ever again! 😩

Taichi visits Kohei's mom for a one-on-one chat. During their exchange, she asks Taichi, "Can you please not abandon Kohei?" She speaks with a casual smile, but her words sound daunting. The request comes from a mother's desperation to protect her son from loneliness. In the last episode, the mom teased Kohei about his close friend. Beneath her playfulness, she has been secretly troubled by his social isolation. The mom tries to be friendly with Taichi, but deep down, she's begging him to be considerate. Please don't abandon my child. Please don't hurt him.

Kohei confesses his feelings, following it up with the couple's first kiss. It should have been an iconic milestone in their relationship, but I wasn't a fan. The whole atmosphere was off without much romantic vibes. The camera also concealed the kiss, so we don't see their lips touching on camera. I didn't mind because I assumed the couple would have another kiss later in the series. Ah, little did I know this was their only instance of physical affection. In retrospect, this tense love confession with the awkward kiss is the most romantic moment of the series. 😓

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

I love the camping trip! Things have been tense lately, so it's nice to have a change in scenery and energize the narrative with happier scenes again. It's a good way for Kohei & Taichi to move past the awkwardness of the failed love confession. Also, I appreciate Taichi for inviting Kohei on this trip and making him feel included. It's comforting to see Kohei socialize with others. As he sits around the campfire and cracks jokes, he experiences a significant moment of character development.

Kohei and Taichi move past the failed love confession, acting like they can still be friends. Despite their pleasantries, Kohei still harbours an unrequited crush. He doesn't know Taichi is starting to reciprocate these feelings. Taichi mutters, "What if I'm willing to kiss you?" OH. MY. GOD. 🫨 But Kohei doesn't hear him. WHAT!?!? Taichi, say that line again!!! Kohei, put on your hearing aids right now!!! Unfortunately, the moment is lost when Taichi gets self-conscious and clams up. OMFG, are you kidding me!? BL fans lost so badly in this episode… We were so close, y'all… 😭

After the camping trip, the positive momentum continues. Kohei and Taichi may not be romantically involved, but their bond is still strengthening. I like seeing Taichi attend the note-taking class. It shows he's more serious about helping Taichi's studies than just doodling funny pictures and eating free lunches. Also, Kohei is finally coming out of his shell. Unlike previously, he joins the sign language group. It highlights his willingness to mingle with others, even if Taichi isn't involved. These connections are tremendous to Kohei's character growth.

Episode 7

Episode 7 Review

Episode 7 introduces Maya, the new student with a hearing impairment. I suspect most BL fans won't respond well to her because she can be very antagonistic. However, I like her character! What I appreciate about Maya is that she allows us to see a different side of Kohei. As he mentors Maya, Kohei seems protective and shows more agency than before. He also relaxes around her and expresses his opinions instead of bottling up his thoughts. I see Maya as an extension of Kohei's character development.

I like the cafeteria scene a lot. Despite the noisiness, Kohei and Maya use their phones to exchange messages, overcoming their communication barrier. This moment highlights their special connection, like he's the only person in the room who understands her and vice versa. I wouldn't describe Kohei and Maya's bond as romantic. Instead, they're like two people who feel familiar with each other due to similar experiences. During their exchange, Kohei types:"I fell in love with Hamburg steaks lately." Hehe, why do I find that line so sweet? Even when talking to Maya, Kohei can't stop thinking about Taichi. 😚

My favourite moment of the episode is when Kohei's mom gives her son two matching lunch boxes. She doesn't say her intentions aloud, but the implication is clear. That woman is truly the biggest shipper lmao~ Unfortunately, Kohei and Taichi's romance seems to be stalling. Taichi still denies his feelings for Kohei, but the series won't elaborate on his thought process. Why is he hesitant? What is he confused about? It's Episode 7, and we're running out of time to develop this love story. Let's stop dragging out the relationship drama!

Episode 8

Episode 8 Review

Maya antagonizes Taichi and disrupts his friendship with Kohei. Her behaviour is obnoxious, but it comes from a place of hurt. Recently, Maya has cut ties with her friends. She isolates herself socially, similar to Kohei at the start of the series. Due to Maya's negative experiences, she believes people with disabilities and those without them can't relate to each other. She adopts an ~us versus them~ mentality as a coping mechanism, but her thinking is misguided. Taichi and Kohei's friendship shows they can get along despite their differences.

I love the second half of the episode, which focuses on a nice bonding moment between Kohei and Taichi. They enjoy a meal at home, talking candidly and sharing their feelings. Due to Maya's hostility, they seemed distant lately. I'm glad to see them sit down, talk it out, and clear the air with each other. Earlier, there was a funny moment where the series implied Kohei & Taichi's kiss helped them reconcile. However, that's not true. The protagonists resolve their misunderstandings by simply talking to each other. Every time they drift apart, the power of communication brings them back together.

Kohei is soooo smitten with Taichi. During their chat, every word out of Kohei's mouth sounds like a thinly veiled love confession. And the way he looks at his friend with those adoring eyes? Oh, that boy is hopelessly lovestruck. For a moment, I got excited when Kohei grabbed Taichi's hand during this scene. OH MY GAWD!!! But then, Taichi yanked his hand away after his grandpa entered the room. Ugh, that romantic buzz lasted for less than five seconds. I NEED MORE. Whatever is stopping Taichi from pursuing his feelings, he should GET OVER IT. 😓

Episode 9

Episode 9 Review

One of my favourite things about Kohei is how he shifts every conversation topic back to Taichi. In one scene, Maya talks about her experiences of being discriminated against. Somehow, Kohei changes tracks during their discussion and starts gushing about Taichi. Poor Maya is like, "I always hear them talking behind my back…" But Kohei laughs in her face and says, "Oh, that reminds me of something funny Taichi did, haha!" His response cracks me up. Kohei never misses a random opportunity to talk about Taichi. 😆

Taichi has a new job! After his passionate spiel about accessibility, Sai is moved and hires him to work for his sign language company. Oh, I love the direction the series takes with Taichi's character. This job is perfect for him. He has the right temperament and some background experience. Although note-taking is a minor gig, the skills he learned from this position are relevant to his work. Now, Taichi gets to help even more people with his job. It feels like a natural next step for Taichi, allowing him to expand his advocacy on a bigger platform.

Episode 10

Episode 10 Review

I liked seeing Taichi at his new job and enjoyed the workplace scenes. I'm interested in learning about what a sign language company does. In addition, I appreciate Taichi's character growth. Contrary to his childish personality, he does a lot of maturing in this episode. Taichi also faces an intriguing dilemma since he must quit school to work full-time. The emotional weight of his decision adds complexity to his character. We see a serious side to Taichi beyond his playful demeanour.

Taichi feels guilty about quitting school because that means he's abandoning Kohei. Earlier, Taichi made a promise to help his friend with the lectures. But now, he goes back on his word once there's a better job offer. Although Kohei understands his decision, Taichi still feels an emotional burden. Taichi's grandfather tries to reason with him. He believes it isn't worth giving up your career for friendship. "When you make a decision, don't take loneliness into consideration. When we feel lonely, we won't see clearly and will end up taking the wrong path." Hmm, the grandpa's advice is interesting… 🤔

Beyond his loyalty to a friend, Taichi struggles with his ambiguous feelings for Kohei. A part of him wants to stay at school, spend time together, and develop their relationship further. Kohei tells him, "I'll be fine without you." His statement is meant to be reassuring. He wants his friend to take the job offer without feeling obligated to help him in school. But deep down, Taichi had hoped Kohei would ask him to stay. The romantic response would be, "Nooo, don't go! I need you by my side!" Taichi feels rejected since he thinks Kohei is willing to let him go without a fight.

Episode 11

Episode 11 Review

Why are we wasting time on Maya's subplot? With only two episodes left, the focus should be on the main characters. Their underdeveloped romance hardly progressed since that awkward kiss in Episode 4. The series keeps dragging out the relationship drama, almost like it doesn't want to depict anything romantic between the leads. I want to see them dating and navigating the storylines as a couple. Maya's character isn't important in the grand scheme of this BL drama. Instead, work on your damn love story!

Kohei and Taichi's farewell is so hilariously dramatic. Taichi is just starting a new job. It's not like he'll be gone forever, right? They may not see each other around school as much, but they can still meet and keep in touch. Why all the theatrics? 😅 During the goodbye, they share an intimate hug. "Your heart is beating so fast," Kohei tells him. Taichi immediately pulls away in a moment of self-consciousness. What the hell? Ugh, Taichi is annoying. Can he stop denying his feelings!? We want an iconic BL moment with bold confessions and show-stopping kisses, not this cowardly reaction.

Episode 12

Ending Review

"You'd rather change the world for someone you want to protect." Oh, I love this line from the boss. It describes Taichi so well. His character always advocates for others. He stands up to bullies, speaks out against injustices, and supports those who are struggling. Driven by his compassion, he wants to help people and make their lives better. In a world that often rewards selfishness, we need more role models like Taichi. He inspires us to be active allies and advocate for more inclusivity in our communities.

After twelve episodes of drawn-out drama, I wanted Taichi & Kohei to share an intimate moment in the finale. However, the couple's love confession is the least romantic exchange ever. It almost feels confrontational. Why are the characters yelling their feelings? Why do they look so miserable? The whole mood is off. Of course, the characters don't kiss, but the lack of physical intimacy is just a symptom of a bigger problem. The issue with I Hear the Sunspot is that it can't be romantic. Whenever there's a relationship scene, this series pulls back and never captures the sensation of two people in love.