Soul Mate (TV series)
| Soul Mate | |
|---|---|
| Katakana | ソウルメイト |
| Genre | |
| Written by | Shunki Hashizume |
| Directed by | Shunki Hashizume |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Original languages |
|
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Koichi Murakami[1] |
| Production locations | |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
Soul Mate (Japanese: ソウルメイト, Hepburn: Sourumeito) is an upcoming Japanese romance boys' love television series written and directed by Shunki Hashizume. The series follows a ten-year relationship between Ryu Narutaki (Hayato Isomura) and Johan Hwang (Ok Taec-yeon) that traverses the cities of Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo. It is scheduled to be released on Netflix on May 14, 2026.
Synopsis
Ryu Narutaki, a young man who has left Japan, meets Korean boxer Johan Hwang. Their encounter initiates a decade-long relationship that spans Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo. As their lives remain intertwined, they navigate personal trauma and a developing romance.
Cast and characters
- Hayato Isomura as Ryu Narutaki
- Ok Taec-yeon as Johan Hwang
Production
Development
Soul Mate was first announced by Netflix on June 28, 2024. The project originated from a discussion between director Shunki Hashizume and executive producer Dai Ota regarding the concept of a long-term relationship between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. According to Ota, the narrative was developed to explore the intersection of lives in foreign settings.[2] The series is written and directed by Hashizume with production managed by Robot Communications and GTist.[1][3]
Casting
Hayato Isomura and Ok Taec-yeon were confirmed in the lead roles. To prepare for the role of a boxer, Ok underwent a regimen of weight loss and boxing training that continued through the filming period. Isomura noted that the production's three-country filming schedule was intended to provide a global setting for the ten-year story arc.[4]
Filming
Principal photography took place across three cities: Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo in 2024.[2]
Release
Originally projected for an August 2025 release,[5] Netflix Japan confirmed in January 2026, that the eight-episode[1] series would premiere globally on May 14, 2026.[6]
References
- ^ a b c "2026 Japan Slate Appendix" (PDF). Netflix Newsroom. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ a b Whittock, Jesse (June 28, 2024). "Netflix Leans On Japanese-Korean Connection For Soul Mate; Ok Taec-yeon & Hayato Isomura To Star". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ Park, Jin-hai (May 8, 2025). "Studio Dragon to launch three Japanese dramas". The Korea Times. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (June 28, 2024). "Soul Mate Gay Romance Between Korean and Japanese Men, Set at Netflix". Variety. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ Rahman, Abid (February 13, 2025). "Netflix Reveals 2025 Japan Slate of Film, TV Shows Including the Epic Last Samurai Standing and Action Movie Bullet Train Explosion". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ Geisinger, Gabriella (January 28, 2026). "Netflix Japan lays out 2026 slate of anime, adaptations and live baseball". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 1, 2026.