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A love that needs no labels, a love that dares to stay undefined.
Throughout the series, I had mixed feelings about the way the story was told. I found myself confused, endeared, longing, and melancholic, every emotion and scene burying deeper into me and leaving me with more questions than answers. The story itself is hard to relate and integrate into, yet, the characters add so much depth, flaws, nuance and vibrance to what would otherwise hold no form.One of the asterstrokes of the story was Sumiko and Ryu's mother, both abandoned by family that ought to catch you when you fall, yet refusing to stay within the grasp of its pain. Their kindness, strength, refusal to diminish themselves even when it comes to being a mother, a wife, and a friend, refusing to give up love for their own self in the name of sacrifice truly settled down something deep within me.
Ryu and Yohan's relationship was so sheer, raw, unexplained and unapologetic. The team took such a brave yet dangerous step in deciding to leave most of their genuinity, closeness and tenderness hidden behind the scenes. And this is exactly what pushed us audience into the role of the society around them. We know they live together, we know they belong to each other in ways we'll ever be left guessing, we know they share a home- and that's all we know. Oftentimes, we look at snippets of people living next to us and carve out their life deciding we know enought about them to do so. Just like that, within this story, we are left to project our ideologies into their relationship, forcing it to fit within frames that were never meant to hold them.
We yearn for a conclusion, a label, a status, an answer. But, the series remains stubborn in not giving one. It dares us to fill in the gaps left behind while silently moving forward on its own terms with no remorse. And that's where it perfectly captures life and love. It flawlessly denies conformity and definitions, truly existing free within a literary utopia where to live together and create a home, you owe no one any explanations.
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Beautifully raw and real
This show was beautifully done. I wouldn't consider it a BL, maybe more of a queer story. I loved this so much. I watched it one sitting. I loved getting to go through so many years of life with our cast. It felt like watching someone's life more than watching a show and I loved that.Ryu was my favorite character. He was so caring and so adorable and just the biggest green flag. Jo Han was an incredible character too. He went through so many hard time but I loved that he kept getting back up and trying to make the best out of his life. Sumiko was also so enjoyable to watch. She is so strong and I loved her determination too. All the characters in this show had such a complexity about them that made them feel so real. They all went through good times as well as a lot of hardships that life throws at you.
The boys wanting to help Sumiko raise the baby and seeing the three of them raise her together was so beautiful to see. I loved that it showed different sides of it including the judgement that would naturally come from other people. Even after Jo Han left, Ryu agreeing to marry Sumiko to make it easier on the child was so incredible to see too.
I have a feeling some people won't care for the ending since the boys never confessed to each, nor came out and said they were gay, but I loved it. Somehow that made the story seem that much more real. You as the audience knew they were gay and knew they had feelings for each other from little moments here and there throughout the show without it ever being said outright and I loved that. We hear their monologues and the end and hear the I love you's but I personally think the I love you's were just in their heads. I think they spent Jo Han's finals moments together and then Ryu goes back home without them ever saying anything to each other, but I don't think they needed to. I think they knew deep down how they felt and that was enough for them and even though some may say it's tragic they never heard it from the other, I think it is still beautiful.
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It hurt me!! But I loved it.
I've been waiting for this series ever since the casting was announced, I truly couldn't care less if it was gay or not I just wanted to watch it because I really like these two actors.I gotta say that I am absolutely impressed with how good this series is, I didn't know what the plot was going to be exactly as I avoided reading the description and didn't watch the trailer, but that poster, it was obvious that it was going to be a sad one, but I didn't expect it to be this sad!! I cried, I'm still crying, from the very beginning it's just so gloomy, although there are cute happy moments it's mostly sad. It is still worth it, the story is beautifully told, the acting is fantastic and the episodes are short so it's an easy binge.
I loved it, it hurt me, it hurt me so that I need to go watch some cartoons or something cute to lighten my mood, but I still would recommend and maybe watch again at least 1 more time.
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Good start. Horrible ending.
I honestly had a lot of expectations for the movie, especially because it had Taecyeon in it and the fact that it was marketed as a bl...but it's not.But even as a queer movie I think the plot would have been better overall but it just gets confusing.
All of a sudden sumiko's husband dies and then she moves in with Ryu and yohan. From that moment on I just knew that there would be no chance of romance when she entered the picture.
What's up with Japanese bls always putting a woman between the love interests?? Same thing happened in More than Words than that just put me off.
All I can say is that the plot should've developed better.
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Ryu shouldn't have let Johan go so easily
All good except Johan's left, and the baby somehow became a 4-5-year-old kid.All this time, Sumiko and Ryu made no attempt to contact Johan. Why??? It wasn't until the very end that Johan's sister contacted Sumiko and told her something about him.
Bro, they lived together, and Ryu had known Johan for a long time through thick and thin, but he just let Johan go and made no attempt to contact him. That was the most unbelievable part of this tale.
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Honestly just don't read reviews and watch.
I put this off for a while, even though I've been following it since they announced Taecyeon was in it, mainly because people said they considered it more "bromance" than BL. But I honestly wish I watched it on release, because they are wrong.Many people tried saying the romance wasn't clear enough through actions. But who cares about that when the story is good and clearly shows the characters emotions. Watching this, I can clearly tell the feelings of the characters, even when they aren't explicitly saying or showing it.
We don't need kiss scenes, shower scenes, or bed scenes for it to be BL. I would rather have a BL that has 1 kiss scenes but an amazing, beautiful, or even a sad story over a BL with 10 kiss scenes and okay story.
That is what this one is. A beautiful, yet sad story of a relationship that shows how difficult yet perfect it can be..
And the last thing; the ending.
Some people were not happy about this ending. But honestly... I think it was a good ending. Do I wish for a happy ending? Yes, always. But is the happy ending the best option? No!
This story, similar to "Love In The Big City" (a Korean BL), clearly wanted a more human feel. The characters are going to do human things; fuck up, say things they don't mean to when mad or sad, make a decision they don't want, they are going to hide things they don't want others knowing.. So many details about this story made it feel very human. And that ending. Not wanting the person you love have to watch you slowly die, and there is nothing they can do about it.. Is that not something humans would naturally feel?
In conclusion: people have been wanting rainbow, sunshine, and kittens recently. Just because the show isn't happy.. or should I say more fantasy ideal driven.. doesn't mean it's not a good story. People can have different opinions about endings, yes; but why can't we agree the ending was good? Cause it was.. If you are hesitating to watch it; ignore all reviews, both good and bad, and go watch it. It really is worth watching, no matter your opinion on the ending or whether if it's BL or bromance..
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Not Typical BL ,Yet Classic
This series is far from your typical BL drama. It is a brilliant slow-burn that prioritizes deep, meaningful character development—not just for the leads, but for the entire ensemble.The story, which begins with Ryu’s journey and concludes with Johan’s, is nothing short of beautiful. What makes this series so compelling is the undefined nature of their relationship; it adds a layer of authenticity that is rare to find. The show proves that a narrative does not need forced romantic tropes to be profound. Instead, it offers a raw, quiet intimacy that feels perfectly earned by the plot. It is, quite simply, a classic.
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Ice Hocket and Boxing
Honestly, I was a little disappointed at first because I was expecting a typical, cinematic BL romance. But as I kept watching, I realized this drama is so much more than that. It truly lives up to its title—*Soulmate*.This isn't just a love story; it's a story about relationships and the people we choose to keep in our lives. It goes beyond the boundaries of family and blood, showing that some of the deepest connections are formed with the people we meet unexpectedly along the way.
The drama beautifully explores friendship, love, loss, and healing. The love it portrays isn't just romantic—it's profound, emotional, and quietly powerful. It's about finding someone who understands you, stands by you, and becomes your home, regardless of the label attached to that relationship.
If you're looking for something emotional, slow-paced, and heartfelt, this drama is absolutely worth watching. However, if you're expecting a lighthearted, funny, or fluffy BL romance, this may not be what you're looking for.
That doesn't make it a bad drama—quite the opposite. Not every story has to follow the same formula. Sometimes, being different is exactly what makes a drama memorable, and I genuinely think *Soulmate* stayed true to its vision and did complete justice to the story it wanted to tell.
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Is this what Netflix does to BL? Because I'm not sure I want it.
I don't know, man... Soul Mate left me feeling hollow. My viewing experience wasn't exactly improved by first eagerly awaiting the show's release and then putting off watching it, because I wasn't in the mood for depression. By the time I finally came around to bingeing it, my expectations were a smidgen too high, and I was sorely disappointed.The plot moves at a strange pace, frantically checking off predictable traumatic plot points and hitting unearned emotional beats. Then the story grinds to an absolute halt, and there's entirely too much baby stuff. Are pro-natalists really this desperate? The straight couple has little chemistry, and of course there's the missed GL opportunity. Even at its worst, the show makes compelling choices, though: Sumiko and Seiichi's love-at-first-sight vs. let's-see-where-this-goes conversation is fun. Sumiko's hair and wardrobe turn tradwife, announcing the pregnancy before the characters do. All the familial conflicts are painfully realistic without being overly dramatic.
These compelling choices, of which I could list many more, such as the depiction of care work or the engaging way all actresses and actors play off of each other especially in platonic scenes, are why I like this series as little as I do. Why insist on showing me the potential you squandered? I'm too tired to suss out what exactly hindered the main leads the most, but I'm certainly sad because their queer-platonic intimacy isn't without merit.
Also, I thought we had moved past the talking speed of a 2016 Thai BL series? If we haven't, then can we at least stop with the flashbacks to recent scenes and without any new (visual) information? Especially the last-episode-flashback-compilations need to be laid to rest.
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Tragic overload series, but could have been much better
I don't have an issue with the non-physical relationship of the two main charterers. In fact I can see and appreciate the lack of a sexual aspect to the relationship. Seems like the creators took a page out of a USA LGBTQ+ series were there is tragedy always associated with and seemingly loving and successful alternative relationships.My issues with Soul Mate are:
1.) The script especially in early episodes seems choppy and inconsistent.
2.) Too graphic in the beginning episodes.
3.) Too many tragic events. Really count them up. There are more tragic events than episodes. Therefore this series for me does get a Trigger alert!
The good aspect of Soul Mate is that the actors all become characters I became engaged with and liked them. The actors ability to present themselves was far superior than the script and tangentially tragic story-line. To the makers of this story...too much drama/tragic events can spoil a series. This is the case here for sure.
Finally, this wonderful cast of actors that could have made a 10 star series. I rate this as a 6.5 out of 10.
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fantastic acting with unrealistic plot
Overall: I enjoy slice of life series; however, so many rare things happened that it completely pulled me out of the story. I define soulmates as people with romantic connections, so in my opinion the series is misnamed as I felt zero romance. Aired on Netflix. Spoiler for the ending in the comment section.Content Warnings: homophobia, vomiting, attempted suicide, xenophobia, blood, fights, past death, hate crime, death, grief
Watch Suggestions to take out content warnings
- skip episode 1
- episode 2 watch 15-end
- episode 3 watch 5:20-27:45
- episode 4 beginning-7:30, 20:15-21:45, 24:50-27
- episode 5 watch 13-29
- episode 6 watch 16:30-end (there is a photo that will tell you something sad)
- episode 7 beginning to 7m30s or 10 minutes
- skip episode 8
What I Liked
- acting
- production value
- support characters like the friends, parents, bar owner & more
- realistic portrayal of the struggle of having a child and working
Room For Improvement
- the first episode was confusing, I wasn't sure what was real or not
- way too many coincidental/rare things happened that the series felt fake and 'because the writer said so'
- I did not feel soulmate chemistry
- noble idiot trope
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Touching & Heartbreaking ??
I personally loved it. I cried at the end when one of them got terminally sick. Because it hit close to home, while I'm not terminal (as far as I know right now), I am chronically ill. The character who got sick, his personality reminded me of my own in certain ways. Especially the part where he said "But being able to feel all the hurt is an incredible thing.People who just give up and just live their lives on autopilot. End up being so numb."
Which I can relate to.
The fact that his lover, came back at the end and they traveled together. That he stayed despite him being ill. It was touching and I'd love to have a relationship like that someday.
I normally don't leave reviews but, this mini series really touched me.
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