This Netflix BL Series Is Basically Heated Rivalry Without Hockey
In the past few years, BL (boy love) content has exploded into the mainstream. From Red, White, & Royal Blue, to Heartstopper, to Young Royals, and, of course, Heated Rivalry, fans of MLM romances have certainly been eating good recently.
Still, if you’re struggling to fill that Shane and Ilya-shaped hole in your heart, I’ve got good news for you — Netflix has a new BL series coming out. Entitled Soul Mate, this Japanese drama has all the ingredients to keep you hooked. There’s even a tiny bit of ice hockey.
What Is Soul Mate About?
Soul Mate follows the connection between two lost souls: Ryu Narutaki and Johan Hwang. Specifically, the series charts the highs and lows of their relationship over a decade, spanning Tokyo, Seoul, and Berlin.
The story starts with Ryu running away from his past after a tragic accident changed him and his best friend irreparably. As he tries to get over the guilt, Ryu ends up in Berlin, where his childhood friend lives. It is here that he meets Johan, a Korean boxer who ends up saving his life after he is caught in a fire.
The pair come from two different worlds: Ryu, Japan, and Johan, Korea. But despite this, the pair form a deep connection that develops and grows over the course of 10 years.
The people behind Soul Mate are writer and director Shunki Hashizume and executive producer Dai Ota. The story’s premise was conceived after a conversation between the pair.
“We arrived at the ultimate destiny story, where people from different cultures and backgrounds meet in a foreign land, and their lives intersect,” Ota told Deadline. “The story, filled with life’s joys and pains, combined with the exceptional performances from Isomura and Taec-yeon, will warm the hearts of viewers.”
Who Is In The Soul Mate Cast?
Hayato Isomura, who is best known for his villainous role as Sunato Banda in Alice in Borderland, is taking on the role of Ryu.
In a statement cited by Variety, Isomura said: “The script moved me with its story of love amidst sadness and pain, and the incredible 10-year story arc crafted by director Hashizume has truly immersed me in the character. Working with Ok Taec-yeon has been inspiring; his charm draws me in more each day. Filming in Japan, Korea, and Germany gives the project a truly global feel.”
Meanwhile, Johan will be played by Ok Taec-yeon, who, outside of being an accomplished actor, is a member of the South Korean boy band, 2pm.
The actor added, “The character of Johan Hwang intrigued me, and his inner struggles and pain stayed with me long after I read the script. To prepare, I lost weight and underwent boxing training, and I’ve continued to train diligently.”
Other actors set to appear in the series include Ai Hashimoto, Koshi Mizukami, Yutaro Furutachi, Lee Jae-yi, Cent Chihiro Chittiii, Ken Yasuda, Kaho Minami, and Tomokazu Miura.
When Does Soul Mate Release?
The series, which is set to have eight episodes, will all drop at once exclusively on Netflix on May 14.
