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...
Our main character Ryu plays hockey in Japan. When his best friend and teammate Arata tells him he's in love with him, Ryu has no idea how to respond. Word gets around fast, and Arata ends up attempting suicide, which leaves Ryu completely shattered since he himself wasn't even sure what he felt for his friend. Ryu walks away from everything and runs off to Berlin to stay with his childhood friend Sumiko, though the emotional pain still follows him there. Our other lead, Johan, is a boxer from South Korea who happens to speak Japanese. He's also in Berlin, carrying around his own set of struggles. Johan ends up saving Ryu's life during a fire at a church in Berlin, and from there the two of them quickly become close. There's clearly something between them, though neither one can really name what it is. Once they're both back in their home countries, Johan flies out to Japan to visit Ryu for a few days, even meets his family, and you can really feel the connection between them growing. Johan then has to head into mandatory military service for a year, but the two stay in touch the whole time. Once he's out, his old demons start catching up with him, and right as he's spiraling toward self destruction, Ryu steps in to save him and invites him to come live with him in Japan. From there, the two of them become each other's support system. Meanwhile Sumiko, the friend from Berlin, travels to Japan, falls for Ryu's best friend, and the two of them get married. Everything seems to be going well until tragedy strikes and her husband passes away. Ryu and Johan ask Sumiko to move in with them so they can all help raise her child together, and she agrees. Just as they settle into a steady routine, Johan finds out he's seriously ill, and knowing Ryu works as a caregiver, he doesn't want to become a burden on him. So he fakes a fight between them and leaves Japan, breaking everyone's heart in the process. Fast forward a few years, and right as Ryu and Sumiko are getting ready to marry each other, he learns Johan is back in Berlin and gravely sick. Sumiko tells him to go follow his heart, so he heads to Berlin, and in an emotional ending, makes sure Johan finally gets the love and care he's always deserved. These two really were meant to be there for one another in the end.
The title Soulmate really suits this show perfectly. What they have goes beyond simple friendship, but it also doesn't need to be boxed in as a romance either. It just exists somewhere in that in between space, something that feels completely real even though it's rarely portrayed on screen. The whole story runs on the human connection shared between these two broken men, who end up finding themselves and reshaping each other's lives along the way. Their paths keep crossing and pulling them back together no matter where life takes them. At its core, this is a story about how friendship and romance aren't always separate things, and how deeply the two can intertwine. The bond between Ryu and Johan builds so naturally it almost feels like destiny. It's a powerful, beautiful connection, full of genuine joy as well as the conflict that inevitably comes with it. It's honestly hard not to get emotional watching this unfold. I was moved not just by their relationship but by each of their individual journeys too. It's a story that really stirs something in you, and it carries a message worth paying attention to. No matter who you're attracted to, this is a story that's going to resonate on a universal level. Love and friendship don't really have boundaries, that idea feels timeless here. The show also surrounds its leads with a great supporting cast, loving parents, devoted siblings, loyal friends, and mentors, each representing a different kind of bond that shapes our everyday lives. By giving these characters real space, the show shows just how meaningful all these different relationships are. It never tips into excess either, it stays grounded throughout, which honestly tracks with what I've come to expect from Japanese shows, keeping emotion restrained on the surface while still hitting you hard underneath. It never once turns melodramatic.
From start to finish, this is a gorgeous piece of work. The acting, the visuals, the symbolism, and the way relationships are portrayed all feel vivid and genuinely compelling. Both lead actors bring this incredible sense of restraint and vulnerability to their performances, carrying their characters' silent struggles without ever needing to overplay anything. The two of them take material that's already strong and elevate it even further. Their natural chemistry carries both the heaviest emotional beats and the lighter, happier stretches, making the evolving bond between Ryu and Johan feel completely genuine. Beyond just their story, Sumiko also ends up playing a pretty central role throughout the series. Her arc isn't the main focus, but what she goes through gets explored with real depth anyway. What I loved most was watching the three of them live together, find joy in small everyday moments, and respect each other's space. It's never dramatic or intense in the usual sense, it stays soft, calm, and emotionally close instead.
This is a show that reminds you how people can quietly save each other just by being present in each other's lives. It paints a picture of life that stays dramatic without ever slipping into melodrama. It steers clear of cliches and instead tells a genuinely sincere story about human connection. Soul Mate makes a strong case that family isn't only about blood. Sometimes it's built through love, loyalty, and the people who simply choose to stick around. This Netflix series is an absolute must watch. (9.5/10)
Comments