Netflix literally have many gay series and movies in its library, then why would they need to please homophobic…
You also rated Wu 1/10 just because it's bromance drama when it was clearly stated it was bromance drama, you just hate when drama is bromance or you don't get to see two men fulfill your fetishes of kissing and making out each other onscreen that's why you spit hate online.
Netflix literally have many gay series and movies in its library, then why would they need to please homophobic…
I'm following this show since it's first news, Ok taecyeon never ever faced any backlash from korean or international fans, if you have article then share it instead of yapping here. Be smarter and share your source instead of spreading false rumours.
Yes korea is conservative country, but do u evn know how many mainstream korean actors has played queer roles in old times? Lee byung hun, Lee Jehoon, Koo kyo hwan and recently Nam Yoon su, none of them faced any backlash and you want me to believe your lies? and also what source do u have to say story is changed? it's delayed for sure but is there any concrete source to backup your claims? or just because you didn't get two men pouncing on each other so now you are being complaint box here?
People need to stop defending this show “if you want kissing, it’s not for you.” It’s NOT about the physical…
Netflix literally have many gay series and movies in its library, then why would they need to please homophobic fans? so make it make sense man.
and it seems like you didn't even watched whole show but came here to just complaint because at the end of the series both MLs literally said I love you to each other in their own language and on top of that they also said they want to be with each other till the end. before spitting unnecessary hate, atleast watch it once and then say whatever you have to say.
I came across this interesting comment on X and thought it was worth sharing here along with the source."Breaking…
In my opinion, Soul Mate is exactly what its title suggests, a story about soulmates in the purest sense. You dont really need to force a specific label onto their relationship, whether its bromance, BL or anything else, because the connection they share goes far beyond those categories. The drama stays true to its title and beautifully portrays two people whose souls deeply understand and complete each other.
I came across this interesting comment on X and thought it was worth sharing here along with the source.
"Breaking my silence: Soulmate is not a BL, but it was never a bromance in the first place.
Why is it not a BL? This can be confusing because, for many international fans, any drama, movie, or series that features boys in love is considered BL, because BL is basically boys’ love – love between boys/ males. To us, BL is an umbrella term and is not limited to one specific genre. We believe BL can cover any genre: legal drama, grief, family, slice of life, and so on. This is where the conflict often arises. I'll explain now.
First, from what I’ve observed with many Japanese dramas, not every story with boys in love is categorized as BL. For example, Oishii Rikon was not labeled as a BL drama, even though the leads are live-in boyfriends, because the focus of the drama is not their romance, but the divorces they handle. Japanese dramas may choose not to label something as BL when romance is not the main focus, even if love between men is clearly present.
Also, the BL tag in manga and the BL tag in dramas do not always function the same way. For example, Smells Like Green Spirit is a BL manga, but its drama adaptation was not categorized as BL. Same case with One Room Angel. Another case is Hidamari ga Kikoeru. The original manga is a BL manga, and when it was adapted into a movie in 2017, known internationally as Silhouette of Your Voice, the movie was promoted as BL. However, when TV Tokyo adapted the same work again in 2024, they did not use the BL tag before the name I Hear The Sun Spot, even though they labeled Stay By My Side After the Rain as a BL drama.
This shows that the BL label in Japanese media is not always applied consistently across formats, adaptations, or even broadcasters. Sometimes the label depends less on whether male-male love exists in the story, and more on how the work is marketed, what genre the production wants to emphasize, and whether romance is treated as the central focus. So Soulmate wasn't labeled a BL maybe because of these reasons.
Also, because of this, some international fans use terms like “queer media” or “LGBTQ+ media” instead of BL regard to works that do not have BL tags but still involve queer love while Japanese shows just don’t add any label or in rare cases add LGBTQ+ to the genre when released on Netflix or internationally.
But one thing is certain: Soulmate is not a bromance. Bromance refers to a platonic friendship between men, not a romance. (The exception here is some Chinese dramas had to label it bromance to pass censorship). So you can’t call Soulmate a bromance just because they don’t kiss. They literally confess to each other with “saranghae” and “aishiteru” in their language. Same thing happened with Oishii Rikon when some watchers just called it a bromance because they didn’t kiss in a show while obviously they are a couple.
So yeah, you can dislike Soulmate or get disappointed or angry with it but please don’t call it Bromance just because they don’t kiss or being physically intimate. "
What an emotionally intense ride this drama was. Soul Mate is not a typical BL and its not just another bromance either, its something much deeper and it truly lives up to its title.
Both male protagonists are deeply broken people, carrying emotional scars and trauma from their pasts. The way they slowly come together, understand each other without needing many words, and heal through each other’s presence is what makes Soul Mate such a beautiful and touching drama. Their bond genuinely feels beyond just love, it feels like two souls finding comfort in one another.
One of the best things about the drama is how naturally the side characters are woven into the story. Their individual stories never feel unnecessary and instead add more emotional depth to the overall narrative. I especially loved the supporting characters here. Whether it was Ryu’s parents, his friend Sumiko or even Arata, his best friend who had crush on him, every character felt layered and meaningful. Their emotions, struggles and relationships all contributed to making the story feel richer and more human.
The drama was also shot across multiple overseas locations but it never feels like those locations were used just to show off visuals or budget. Instead, every place feels emotionally connected to the story and the characters journeys which makes the cinematography feel immersive rather than flashy.
The acting by Ok Taecyeon and Hayato Isomura was absolutely phenomenal. There were so many scenes that made me emotional and the final episode genuinely made me cry. That alone says a lot about the strength of the acting, direction and storytelling. Both actors perfectly captured the loneliness, pain and warmth of their characters.
The ending is technically a happy one since they reunite and confess their feelings but there is still a lingering sadness to it that stays with you even after the drama ends. It feels bittersweet in the most beautiful way possible.Overall Soul Mate completely lived up to my expectations and was absolutely worth the wait.
There is a reason I hate those Thai BL fujoshis who can’t think beyond kissing, sex scene and overly lovey dovey, unrealistic, cringe romance. If that’s what you want, then just go and enjoy your Thai BLs, where more than acting or plot, kiss scenes and sex scenes drive the ratings and visibility on MDL charts. There is no need to swarm here. They are the reason why there is absolutely no quality in many of those Thai BLs. Unless their obsession with kiss and bed scenes goes away, the genre will not improve. And now they are even eyeing other industries to cater to their fantasies of two men constantly pouncing on each other.
Note: Im a gay man and I genuinely want realistic representation. Thats what Im hoping to get here. I don’t want those cringe Thai BLs with unrealistic plots where everyone is magically gay. I want to see the real struggles we go through every day. Japan does this exceptionally well, Happy of the End is one such series that portrays the struggles of gay men in adult industry and then there is Love in the Big City which is kdrama. I want more content in this queer genre, not BLs that cater mainly to lonely women in their 20s or 30s who only knows about fantasizing two men pouncing on each other for their satisfaction.
I didnt expect the second episode to turn out like this. The last few mins were explosive, the twist happened so quickly that it was honestly hard to digest. But im kind of glad that the other two characters left the story early, because now there wont be any forced love triangle or quadrangle. Liu Yi, his brother in law and his sister all had tragic lives. In a way, Liu Yi unknowingly caused their tragedy. Yes, the brother in law could have rejected his proposal but instead he chose to marry Liu Yi’s sister while still being in love with Liu Yi. In the end, all three of them met tragic fates. The twist at the end felt a bit sudden, to be honest. But at the same time, it might be a good thing because now the story can move forward in a single direction without unnecessary side angles.
Episode 4 was best one yet, everything was so good from acting to execution to even bg score. I especially liked the acting of both male leads in this episode.
Dear he himself choose to be on dating show knowing all consequences like some people will like him, some will criticise him etc and if he is on dating show ofc viewers have to right to express their opinion on all participants including him.
He chose to be on dating show, but hasn't even made single effort to be with anyone or choose anyone, it's like he is not at all interested in the show. You watch him on his youtube channel but we don't, ofc we will make opinion based on what he is showing there, not on how he is on YouTube channel.
Personally idgaf about ships and all but if person who chooses to be on dating show and don't even try to make lil bit effort to be active, obv i will criticise him, it's not that deep. Me and all other who are critics of him, are only judging based on what he is showing on this show. so let other people express their opinion without being so salty, bcz we all are here to talk about show, participants, ships etc because that's what this show is about, we aren't here to judge other commentaors bcz they aren't part of the show. as long as people aren't abusing participants, trolling them, it's fine. Criticism is fine because it's also part of discussion.
This previous shoot drama is so unnecessary and its just ruining the fun of the show. Idgaf whatever happened between Jaeha and Hyeongjun, im least interested in their story. Its honestly so boring.
They should have gone with a completely fresh cast who didnt know each other. That would have made this season much more interesting.
Coming to the other participants, i only really have an opinion about Hyunjun. I genuinely think he isnt interested in any of the other participants, it feels like he is just there for the sake of being there (for fame maybe). The tasks he does, like giving gifts, joining chats or going on one on one dates, all seem forced as if he has no real interest. I actually feel bad for Seon wook because he seems genuinely interested in him. I guess i need to watch their date to see whether Hyunjun is even interested or not. I understand that he is introverted and reserved but there are other introverts too. If you are on a dating show, you should at least show some interest in dating. From his attitude, its very clear that he isnt interested at all.
I also feel like Yunjae should move on and give someone else a chance. I want to see how his date with Jaeha will pan out. Jaeha’s situation is very messy at the moment so im curious to see how their date goes.
Right now, the only couple im really interested in is Taichi and Han gyeol. Han gyeol seems a bit conflicted with a few other his choices but Taichi is still his number one. Based on the preview, he said he is still most interested in Taichi so im hopeful.
The contestants i liked so far are Yun Jae, Tai Chi, Han Gyeol and Su Min. Old contestants who are bringing drama from scrapped shoot, I'm not interested in that drama much, idk but that whole drama and those contestants who are constantly stuck in that scrapped shoot phase are giving me negative vibes. I would have preferred new contestants who brings fresh energy to show and not old drama. I would have loved to see contestants forming fresh connections from start rather than having some remaining feelings from old scrapped shoot.
Loved almost everything about the drama but the ending felt a bit rushed. With just one more episode, the story could have been wrapped up much more satisfactorily. That said, it was still a good drama overall.
Yes korea is conservative country, but do u evn know how many mainstream korean actors has played queer roles in old times? Lee byung hun, Lee Jehoon, Koo kyo hwan and recently Nam Yoon su, none of them faced any backlash and you want me to believe your lies? and also what source do u have to say story is changed? it's delayed for sure but is there any concrete source to backup your claims? or just because you didn't get two men pouncing on each other so now you are being complaint box here?
and it seems like you didn't even watched whole show but came here to just complaint because at the end of the series both MLs literally said I love you to each other in their own language and on top of that they also said they want to be with each other till the end. before spitting unnecessary hate, atleast watch it once and then say whatever you have to say.
"Breaking my silence:
Soulmate is not a BL, but it was never a bromance in the first place.
Why is it not a BL?
This can be confusing because, for many international fans, any drama, movie, or series that features boys in love is considered BL, because BL is basically boys’ love – love between boys/ males. To us, BL is an umbrella term and is not limited to one specific genre. We believe BL can cover any genre: legal drama, grief, family, slice of life, and so on. This is where the conflict often arises. I'll explain now.
First, from what I’ve observed with many Japanese dramas, not every story with boys in love is categorized as BL. For example, Oishii Rikon was not labeled as a BL drama, even though the leads are live-in boyfriends, because the focus of the drama is not their romance, but the divorces they handle. Japanese dramas may choose not to label something as BL when romance is not the main focus, even if love between men is clearly present.
Also, the BL tag in manga and the BL tag in dramas do not always function the same way.
For example, Smells Like Green Spirit is a BL manga, but its drama adaptation was not categorized as BL. Same case with One Room Angel. Another case is Hidamari ga Kikoeru. The original manga is a BL manga, and when it was adapted into a movie in 2017, known internationally as Silhouette of Your Voice, the movie was promoted as BL. However, when TV Tokyo adapted the same work again in 2024, they did not use the BL tag before the name I Hear The Sun Spot, even though they labeled Stay By My Side After the Rain as a BL drama.
This shows that the BL label in Japanese media is not always applied consistently across formats, adaptations, or even broadcasters. Sometimes the label depends less on whether male-male love exists in the story, and more on how the work is marketed, what genre the production wants to emphasize, and whether romance is treated as the central focus. So Soulmate wasn't labeled a BL maybe because of these reasons.
Also, because of this, some international fans use terms like “queer media” or “LGBTQ+ media” instead of BL regard to works that do not have BL tags but still involve queer love while Japanese shows just don’t add any label or in rare cases add LGBTQ+ to the genre when released on Netflix or internationally.
But one thing is certain: Soulmate is not a bromance.
Bromance refers to a platonic friendship between men, not a romance. (The exception here is some Chinese dramas had to label it bromance to pass censorship). So you can’t call Soulmate a bromance just because they don’t kiss. They literally confess to each other with “saranghae” and “aishiteru” in their language. Same thing happened with Oishii Rikon when some watchers just called it a bromance because they didn’t kiss in a show while obviously they are a couple.
So yeah, you can dislike Soulmate or get disappointed or angry with it but please don’t call it Bromance just because they don’t kiss or being physically intimate. "
Source : https://x.com/i/status/2055346108784873534
Both male protagonists are deeply broken people, carrying emotional scars and trauma from their pasts. The way they slowly come together, understand each other without needing many words, and heal through each other’s presence is what makes Soul Mate such a beautiful and touching drama. Their bond genuinely feels beyond just love, it feels like two souls finding comfort in one another.
One of the best things about the drama is how naturally the side characters are woven into the story. Their individual stories never feel unnecessary and instead add more emotional depth to the overall narrative. I especially loved the supporting characters here. Whether it was Ryu’s parents, his friend Sumiko or even Arata, his best friend who had crush on him, every character felt layered and meaningful. Their emotions, struggles and relationships all contributed to making the story feel richer and more human.
The drama was also shot across multiple overseas locations but it never feels like those locations were used just to show off visuals or budget. Instead, every place feels emotionally connected to the story and the characters journeys which makes the cinematography feel immersive rather than flashy.
The acting by Ok Taecyeon and Hayato Isomura was absolutely phenomenal. There were so many scenes that made me emotional and the final episode genuinely made me cry. That alone says a lot about the strength of the acting, direction and storytelling. Both actors perfectly captured the loneliness, pain and warmth of their characters.
The ending is technically a happy one since they reunite and confess their feelings but there is still a lingering sadness to it that stays with you even after the drama ends. It feels bittersweet in the most beautiful way possible.Overall Soul Mate completely lived up to my expectations and was absolutely worth the wait.
9/10.
They are the reason why there is absolutely no quality in many of those Thai BLs. Unless their obsession with kiss and bed scenes goes away, the genre will not improve. And now they are even eyeing other industries to cater to their fantasies of two men constantly pouncing on each other.
Note: Im a gay man and I genuinely want realistic representation. Thats what Im hoping to get here. I don’t want those cringe Thai BLs with unrealistic plots where everyone is magically gay. I want to see the real struggles we go through every day. Japan does this exceptionally well, Happy of the End is one such series that portrays the struggles of gay men in adult industry and then there is Love in the Big City which is kdrama.
I want more content in this queer genre, not BLs that cater mainly to lonely women in their 20s or 30s who only knows about fantasizing two men pouncing on each other for their satisfaction.
The twist at the end felt a bit sudden, to be honest. But at the same time, it might be a good thing because now the story can move forward in a single direction without unnecessary side angles.
He chose to be on dating show, but hasn't even made single effort to be with anyone or choose anyone, it's like he is not at all interested in the show. You watch him on his youtube channel but we don't, ofc we will make opinion based on what he is showing there, not on how he is on YouTube channel.
Personally idgaf about ships and all but if person who chooses to be on dating show and don't even try to make lil bit effort to be active, obv i will criticise him, it's not that deep. Me and all other who are critics of him, are only judging based on what he is showing on this show. so let other people express their opinion without being so salty, bcz we all are here to talk about show, participants, ships etc because that's what this show is about, we aren't here to judge other commentaors bcz they aren't part of the show. as long as people aren't abusing participants, trolling them, it's fine. Criticism is fine because it's also part of discussion.
They should have gone with a completely fresh cast who didnt know each other. That would have made this season much more interesting.
Coming to the other participants, i only really have an opinion about Hyunjun. I genuinely think he isnt interested in any of the other participants, it feels like he is just there for the sake of being there (for fame maybe). The tasks he does, like giving gifts, joining chats or going on one on one dates, all seem forced as if he has no real interest. I actually feel bad for Seon wook because he seems genuinely interested in him. I guess i need to watch their date to see whether Hyunjun is even interested or not. I understand that he is introverted and reserved but there are other introverts too. If you are on a dating show, you should at least show some interest in dating. From his attitude, its very clear that he isnt interested at all.
I also feel like Yunjae should move on and give someone else a chance. I want to see how his date with Jaeha will pan out. Jaeha’s situation is very messy at the moment so im curious to see how their date goes.
Right now, the only couple im really interested in is Taichi and Han gyeol. Han gyeol seems a bit conflicted with a few other his choices but Taichi is still his number one. Based on the preview, he said he is still most interested in Taichi so im hopeful.