Soul Mate (2026) on Netflix
I'm starting this discussion thread because the other one existing is skewed to a negative review, which is fair but I think it'd be nice to have a generic thread for all kinds of views. That main post also seems to have spoilers, which I'm avoiding as I've only watched until ep2 so far -- but I have thoughts to share!
Synopsis (from Netflix Japan):
After inadvertently destroying his best friend’s life, Narutaki Ryu abandons everything and leaves Japan. Near death at a church in a foreign land, he’s saved by Hwang Johan, a Korean boxer. Both men carry deep emotional scars. As their lonely souls begin to intertwine, they discover a once-in-a-lifetime connection. But the more they yearn to share their lives, the more cruelly fate entangles their destinies. Set across Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo, this decade-spanning narrative chronicles two young men’s journey of soul and love, marked by unforgettable moments of pain, suffering, and joy.
- Themes: Drama, Friendship, LGBTQ
- Starring: Isomura Hayato, Ok Taecyeon, Hashimoto Ai, Mizukami Koshi, Furutachi Yutaro
- Crew: Hashizume Shunki (Director, Screenwriter), Ota Masaru (Producer), Murakami Koichi (Producer)
- Streaming on Netflix now in most regions
My thoughts as of the end of ep2: (spoilers tags applied)
Behold, another joint collaboration of Japanese and Korean actors! I'm not sure of further production details for now, the crew looks to be all-Japanese but they sure are keeping up the trend since Eye Love You, Romantics Anonymous and Gimbap to Onigiri.
I started this drama without knowing anything other than what was shown in the trailer. And it revealed as much as the opening of the pilot, that Ryu is >!in shock after the sudden drastic accident of a good friend/ice hockey teammate, Arata, played by Mizukami Koshi.!< I wish we had more screen time of Koshi as I love watching him -- he has this quiet, brooding vibe but is total sunshine when he smiles. I like how the show cuts off the >!not-quite-sad but numb grieving sequence with the incident in the church. The moment in the confessional booth also became a funny topic later when Ryu talks to Johan for the first time, which was a nice touch. !< The script so far is written quite nicely to suit the characters.
I've taken a liking to Johan. I'd admit I could be a bit biased because I used to be a fan of Ok Taecyeon when his K-pop boyband, 2PM, was in its heyday. I also discovered he has pretty good acting chops when I saw him in the Kdrama, Reborn Rich. He plays passionate, wild characters well, and Johan here is turning out to be pretty wild and free-spirited. His Japanese here is also a bit comical -- it's obvious he was instructed to sound awkward, because IRL he's way more fluent. He's known to be effectively multilingual in Korean, English and Japanese.
As for Ryu, so far it feels like the Hayato I've seen in several other dramas he's appeared in. He has never really made an impression on me frankly, because I find he tends to lack expressiveness, but we shall see as the story progresses >! since Ryu was going through grief but should be coming out of it in the next episodes. !<
The setting in Berlin in these 2 episodes also lends a nice vibe to the show, helping to carry the concept of >!running away from which the 2 MC's start forming a bond. Sumiko's apartment is so aesthetic, and I keep remembering that scene when Ryu "hallucinated" that Arata jumped out of the open window there -- emphasising how extremely haunted he was by the extreme measures his friend took and bearing a lot of guilt over it.!<
At the end of ep2, >!I'm so relieved Ryu made the first move to share his contact with Johan. The scene was cute (thankgod for QR codes!) and adds a realistic element to their story. I mean, the writer could very well have decided to make their reunion back in Asia a fateful encounter again, but high chances it would've paled in comparison. !<
At this point, I'm hoping it turns out to be a wholesome BL story where they save each other from their inner ghosts, as in character growth. I wouldn't like it if they don't end up together, but I'm seated for Taec 😁
Would love to see your thoughts in the comments, and please remember to use the spoiler tag!