Can't See Can't Hear But Love
See, Hear, Love

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So this is the first manga, or rather manhwa, that I've completed from start to finish. And I have to say, what a way to start my journey into such an art form. Can't See Can't Hear But Love is one of the greatest pieces of literature that I've ever read.

The story is quite simple. It is about a deaf woman, a blind guy, and their life together. The manhwa explores both of their current dilemmas, as well as their future and past as well. Certain events come up that create difficult choices for each character. While there are some comedic moments throughout the ... manhwa, this is mainly a drama. In my opinion, Can't See Can't Hear But Love contains some of the most touching scenes I've seen in a piece of art since Clannad: After Story. And yeah, that's high praise. There were more than a few scenes that were absolutely heartbreaking to read. One of the reasons I never bothered reading or finishing any type of manga is because I never thought that something like that would get an emotional response from me. Obviously, I've received such from other pieces of art, such as anime, books, and movies, but I just didn't think a comic book, manga, or manhwa, could complete with those art forms. But man, I was wrong. I cried so many times reading certain parts of this manhwa that I couldn't possibly say the exact number. It's absolutely beautiful.

Because this is a manhwa, every piece of artwork is in color. I thought this was quite nice, although not necessary. The images became more more alive due to the colorful palette. There were times were color was used in a very intelligent as, like showing a flashback or hinting at a dark moment. I was quite impressed by this and feel that the story was heightened due to such a add-on.

Can't See Can't Hear But Love is rich with some of the most heartwarming characters ever. Geun Soo, the blind guy, is a very flawed character. He has issues with family, lies sometimes, and can be difficult to deal with in certain circumstances. But this is more than okay because it shows that he is human. Geun Soo isn't perfect. He's a good human being who doesn't fully understand himself, but wants what's best for everyone around him. Sure, because he is blind, he struggles more than most people everyday. But he also struggles with his emotions. The manhwa explores these difficulties in great length throughout the manhwa.

So Ri, the deaf girl, is one of the strongest female characters I've ever encountered. I couldn't help but feel how much she cared for Geun Soo during the story. So Ri sacrifices a lot in order to help Geun Soo during certain events that come up. She fights because of her will to live, be happy, and make sure that Geun Soo enjoys his life as much as possible. She is often treated poorly, not just because of her vision, but due to her being a woman as well. Despite the hardships she faces, So Ri never gives up.

Supporting characters in Can't See Can't Hear But Love also play a vital role when it comes to the main characters and their wants and desires. These supporting characters are all fleshed out nicely. You learn about every single one of their upbringings and why they are the way they are. It's clear that every single person in Can't See Can't Hear But Love have been through a lot, which is why they aren't perfect and can sometimes be disgusting in the way they act towards others.

Overall, I can't recommend Can't See Can't Hear But Love enough. This is one of the most touching stories I've ever read and gives a real life view of the world from the perspective of two people who are unable to live normal lives due to their disabilities. Even if you hate reading, don't care for manga, or feel that a dramatic story like this one is a waste of time, I would implore you so please read it. You won't regret it.

This is not just a masterpiece in storytelling. No... it is also one of the most important pieces of art that will be remembered for years to come. Can't See Can't Hear But Love is a must read and receives my highest recommendation.

As an artist myself, this was a bit difficult in the beginning. Him suddenly getting blind because of his work, made me quite anxious, not gonna lie. Being blind surely is scary for everyone, but even harder for people, whose work requires them to see. Authors can still easily write after becoming blind, but artists? Drawing without eyes is a bit difficult.

Anyways. The beginning was good. I don't really like reading hetero stories, so I didn't go in with many expectations, but actually got surprised for the better. Sori's and Min's relationship was really healthy and I could truly feel their love for each other. ... They were happy and actually couple goals.

But then the whole jealousy plot started and it really just got exhausting to read. It started around chapter 10 and stretched throughout chapter 82, with only there being a character development.
It wasn't even them. Usually romance stories have love-triangles, that involves the MCs directly, because either one of them can't let their ex go or whatever, right? This was worse, even. The MCs were just pawns here, pushed around by everyone. Trying to hold on to their love for each other, but their disabilities getting in the way and making it easier for the antagonists to intervene. It really was just the antagonists working together to get what they want, without the MCs even knowing what's going on. Just pushed around like babies, naive and unable to do anything.
But not quite. Sori was just that throughout the whole story, but Min kept becoming more of a jerk too. He lied so much to her. It was so unfair. She kept working hard to earn money, even going for a modeling career because it would give him enough money for an eye surgery; and what does he do? Lie. Lie about his condition, that he's gonna die soon. Kept pretending everything's fine, while she was the one worrying. He lied about his mother at first too, they overcame that step, and he promised to never lie to her again. ... He managed about 2 weeks before lying again. It's just sad. I feel so bad for Sori.

I genuinely don't know how I managed to keep reading. I'm so tired and energy-deprived. I'm not even sad, even though this was supposed to be a drama and emotional. I really didn't care anymore for the characters by the end. I just wanted it to end. And when it finally did, I felt nothing. Empty shell. Just glad it's over.
Only sad part being is that I hoped for a good story. There aren't many comics about deaf or blind characters, especially not two disabled MCs. So, of course you'd hope for it to be good, right? Sadly it's not. Unless you're a huge fan of extreme drama and jealous characters, who'd do everything to get what they want, even if it'll hurt the person they "love", this might be your next favorite. But unfortunately I'm not a drama-loving person. It's fine to some extent, but this was too much.

If the book was only from chapter 0 to around 30, I'd probably give it 5 stars. As said, I really liked it at the beginning. I teared up lots of times. Some of the early chapters are quite emotional and reflective.
Sadly only gets downhill and the focus shifts to the jealous side characters, who will do anything to force the people they "love" to be with them. Worst part is they didn't even get lectured for it. Sure, they didn't get to be with them in the end, but one of them should actually sit in jail. But does he? No. He's free as ever and even has a family. So disgusting.

~

I've heard a lot of criticism about the art, but I have to disagree on that. It might not be very clean and aesthetically pleasant, and there are much better works which are much older than this, but it works for the story. Even with that much drama, it is still a slice of life story. It's not bad. It might be bad for every other story, and might seem a bit lazy too, but that's life isn't it?
I've seen lots of people especially criticize the crying. That it's ugly. Well, surprise, crying in real life is ugly too. If you want Disney-crying, go watch a disney movie or read a fantasy story. But this is a slice of life and drama story about hardships. You think you look pretty when you have a breakdown and cry your soul out? Probably not. In my opinion, it would've been worse and taken away the realistic part, if the author gave them princess-faces during the crying panels.
Yes, some of the expressions look ugly, but that's what makes it good.

Another point I liked, but many disliked for some reason: the comedy. While it was a lot and sometimes a bit unnecessary maybe, it was a part I'm glad the author kept. With all the extreme drama going on, the comedy brought the story down to earth again, reminding you that it's slice of life. And with all the eye-rolls I've done, the funny bits made me smile again. Forgot all the tension for a moment and could enjoy at least one or two panels, before it went annoying again.

I also didn't mind the POVs and backstories from the other characters, and even the pets. It was random, true, but in a good way. You don't normally get this much screen-time for background characters like this, so it was interesting getting to know them more.
Nice world-building and reminds you once more that everyone goes through hardships, all the time, even though they are not the MC. Sounds obvious but, admit it, we do keep forgetting that sometimes.

~

As with every book, there were good and bad parts. For this, the bad parts weigh down more than the good ones, sadly.
Do I recommend it? Not really.
If you only want to read it because of the blind and deaf representation, go ahead. That part is more or less well-made. And the way they communicate is wholesome.
But if you actually want to enjoy the 84 chapters and are hoping for a good story, then don't. Unless, as said, you're a drama-fan, this is rather tiresome to digest. The ending isn't even worth all that and was very predictable anyways. Fairy-tale like.

~

Is there strong character development? Chapter 0-81? No. They only got worse. Chapter 82-83? Yes. Suddenly a 180 degree change.
Did you find the characters loveable? I liked 2 characters; Sori and Yeom. Dong also a bit, but his crush on that one girl is a huge toxic trait. Otherwise every character is just annoying or an asshole or both.
Would you say the cast of characters is diverse? Apart from the deaf and blind character (and the grandpa who wears leggings and heels (he's slaying those looks btw)), no. Everyone else is stereotypically k-drama. Very extreme and alike.
Are the flaws of the main character(s) a main focus of the book? Yes. Their flaws are their main personality. It's not just "flaws", it really is incredibly toxic. Most know of their "flaws" but don't even bother to change.

Thus review contains spoilers ahead.

When I was reading this manhwa I could hear Oprah's voice in my head like, "You get a sad back story, you get a sad back story, eeeeeverybody gets a sad back story" and it wasn't far from the truth.

Story:

This author takes melodrama to a whole new level. I understand the need for creating a tragedy to sympathise with your characters, but you know you're overdoing it when even their PET gets a three chapter background where it cries and experiences more emotions than a pregnant woman. There are two pets in the story and ... both of them had the harshest life imaginable.

Here's the thing, using tragedy as a plot device has its limits. Use it too little and the readers won't feel the impact, use it too much and it becomes laughable. We become desensitised to it. Having two people with disabilities live together is a very interesting concept in itself, it doesn't need cheap drama to strengthen its theme, which, at its core is two people overcoming their hardship to achieve happiness. But no, the author adds crazy jealous woman in love with the hero, a crazy jealous man in love with the heroine, attempted rape, suicide, an inexplicable illness that is suddenly flung on us, dragged out and cured just as quickly --anything even remotely dramatic you can think of, it's all there.

It makes me indifferent to the characters. They could get hit by a bus in the next page and I couldn't care less.

Characters:

Even if I put the melodrama aside, the love between the two main characters didn't feel real. It was this codependent mess of a relationship where she basically becomes his 'sight'. I wouldn't mind it if it was only in the beginning, but no this guy doesn't learn to cope by himself. He uses her as a crutch at all times and never learns to be independent. That's just not right.

Overall:

It feels like the author didn't know how to end the manhwa and took the tragic death route, but suddenly changed his mind in the last chapter and wrapped everything up with a time skip and a (dubious) happy ending on top. So there. Two points for the potential this manhwa had to be something good, but was ever able to meet it.