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Soul Mate (Japanese Series)

By Golu
Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
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More than Only: Season 2 'Luck Dragon'

By Golu
Continuing from the season 1, we get next 3 episodes again of about 30 minutes each which continues to focus on not just lives of Michael and Justin, but this time we do get to see a little more of Brooke and the daughter as well. This season, Michael or Luck Dragon, as Justin so fondly refers to him, must face the accumulating expectation he feels to always be the "rock" in their relationship when a devastating tragedy at work hits a little too close to home sending him over the edge. I am really enjoying this continued evolving relationship of Justin, Michael and their family. 

Justin and Michael's daughter Mandy is really starting to grow. One day when she arrives with her friends and Brooke shows up, they realize that its their daughter's first period and as expected she feels comfortable talking to a woman and in this case, it is Brooke, the pivotal parental figure. Brooke soon wants to leave to meet her boyfriend, but something Justin says doesn't sit well with her. She reminds him that she has her own life and need to figure out what her life goals are besides being a figurative parent to Mandy and friend of Michael and Justin. Clearly there is something more going on here, which we explore later on how her boyfriend is making her change to a person that she is not. And this is the time she needs her friends more than ever to talk it all out. Juston is now a famous author and has left town for one week of book touring. Mandy is spending sometime with Brooke because as a nurse Michael is working late these days but he is also not himself. We are then told how there was a case of a teenage girl drawing and how the team of doctors and nurses couldn't revive the kid. Michael is unable to forget the haunting cries of the parents and it is now starting to affect is mental health. Even when Mandy, Brooke or Justin ask him if something is wrong, he says no. He has been the rock of the family and is surprised to find himself in a position that he never thought he would be. Thanks to again a very supportive system of family and friends, Michael realizes that he needs help and Justin next to me, more than ever.

I feel this season contextually was all about a support system that individuals have in life to take them through happiness and hardships. Brooke is struggling with his boyfriend issues and needs to spend more time with Justin and Michael, Mandy reaches out to Brooke for support, but what should Michael do. I really appreciated how Michael's colleagues are there for him every step of the way constantly reminding him that it was not his fault. They see that Michael is slowly spiraling down despite him not saying anything and they talk action. They show up this house to cheer him because they know Justin is out. Michael need a shoulder to cry on and rely on and only when finally Justin comes back home, he is slowly starting to be himself. Problems are inevitable in our lives but to know that our loved ones are with us, right there, makes everything a ton easier. We also get a surprise in the last episode where Justin's mother shows up to get a signed book from her son and reassures him that she is alone. Nothing much comes out of that scene but I hope it gets some more time in next season, if there is one. I am still glad that the makers decided to make this short series and continue the story of our beloved family and make it available for all on YouTube. The stories are just wonderful, sincere and heartfelt.  The actors are all superb and the characters are so believable.  Thank you all so much for bringing us this wonderful series. (6/10)
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