This Netflix BL Series Is Basically 'Heated Rivalry' Without Hockey
Netflix’s upcoming LGBTQ+ series Soul Mate (2026) is about to become your new obsession. Filmed across Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo, this new miniseries follows a 10-year love story between two men, whose meeting feels like destiny. As soon as the trailer dropped, the comparisons to the beloved Crave/HBO series Heated Rivalry (2025) began.
If you’re looking for a new romance, here’s what Soul Mate is about, the multiple similarities with Heated Rivalry, and other shows that offer LGBTQ+ stories grounded in love, some drama, and the ultimate act of being seen for who you are.
What Is ‘Soul Mate’ About?
Soul Mate is a Japanese drama romance about two men, Narutaki Ryu (Isomura Hayato) and Hwang Johan (Ok Taec-Yeon). Ryu abandons everything and leaves Japan after inadvertently destroying the life of his best friend. While in a church in a foreign country, he almost dies. But a Korean boxer, Johan, saves him, and it doesn’t take long for both of them to realize they are soulmates. So, they decide to move in together. Over 10 years, their journey takes them from Berlin to Seoul and Tokyo as we learn about their dreams, their families, and the deep wounds they both carry.
Writer and director Hashizume Shunki originally developed the idea after having a conversation with executive producer Ota Dai about exploring the intersection of people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together.
According to Deadline, Ota said, “We arrived at the ultimate destiny story, where people from different cultures and backgrounds meet in a foreign land and their lives intersect. [...] 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.”
The Similarities Between ‘Soul Mate’ And ‘Heated Rivalry’, Explained
The biggest similarity between Soul Mate and Heated Rivalry is the length of time it covers for both couples. In Soul Mate, the relationship between Ryu and Johan spans a decade. We get to see how they meet, when they move in together, and the struggles they face. Shane and Ilya’s relationship and romance also span a decade in Heated Rivalry, with fans getting to see how they meet, get into a situationship, fall in love, and everything that comes after.
The similarities don’t end there. Despite saying there’s no hockey in Soul Mate, there is. It’s just that it’s not as central to the story as much as it is in Heated Rivalry. We’ve even got another sport featured in this show.
In the trailer for Soul Mate, Johan says that both he and Ryu have similar dreams. Footage of Ryu playing hockey and Johan boxing intersplices the moment. Admittedly, though, it seems like Johan’s time boxing is going to be a bigger part of the story. And that’s due to someone who looks like Johan’s manager or investor saying that he’s going to destroy Johan after he loses a match.
Finally, the key messages in Soul Mate and Heated Rivalry are very similar. Both of these couples come from different cultures and backgrounds, yet find each other. They both struggle with what it means to have feelings for someone while navigating mental health issues, outside forces that test their bonds, and the scary thing that comes with being seen by someone and still being chosen.
What Are Some Other Shows Like ‘Heated Rivalry’?
If you can’t wait for Season 2 of Heated Rivalry to premiere, there are plenty of other shows you can check out in the meantime.
If you like the tension of Heated Rivalry but want to make it a little more twisted, viewers should check out HBO’s Half Man (2026). Created and starring Baby Reindeer’s (2024) Richard Gadd, it’s described as “Heated Rivalry for sickos.” It tells the story of estranged “brothers” reuniting at one of their weddings, and the quiet intensity between these two “brothers” is truly unlike anything you’ve seen before. Trust me on that.
Want to explore a different sport? Or multiple? Then maybe you should try Netflix’s Olympo (2025). From the creators of Elite (2018), it’s set in the high-stakes world of elite athletes and centers around multiple people at a high-performance sports center and what they’ll do to be the best. Expect multiple couples, secrets, and questioning yourself and how far you would go to achieve your dream, get that scholarship, or win the guy.
And on the off chance you want to watch something a little softer but still focused on a central couple, viewers should watch Netflix’s Heartstopper (2022). It tells the story of two teens, one a high-strung overthinker and the other a soft-hearted rugby player, and how they fall in love. While not as tension-filled or spicy as Heated Rivalry, it’s a necessary tender story about being seen and accepted for who you are.
