UMVA has learned that a new Netflix series, Soul Mate, has left viewers craving more as it explores themes of displacement and connection across multiple cities and cultures.
The show masterfully draws on the calmness often associated with Japanese slice-of-life dramas, gradually teasing out a touching and beautiful story between Ryu and Johan. However, the writer/director's decision to shy away from depicting their romance in a more explicit manner has left many viewers feeling frustrated.
As Ryu, a sweet Japanese ice hockey star, and Johan, a brash Korean boxer, navigate their journey together, it's clear that there's something much deeper here than friendship. From the moment Johan shows up in Japan to surprise Ryu, their connection is palpable, and that feeling only intensifies as the story continues.
In one particularly steamy scene, the two men scrub each other's backs while sitting nude together in the sauna, leaving this viewer screaming 'kiss!' at the screen. This tender moment, combined with Johan drawing a picture of Ryu while he was sleeping, speaks volumes about the true nature of their relationship.
Despite their deep connection, Ryu and Johan never share physical intimacy of any kind, and there's no declaration of their feelings for each other until the very end. This decision feels like a wasted opportunity to explore the complexities of queer love on screen, especially given the show's clear intention to depict a romantic relationship.
The portrayal of Ryu and Johan's connection remains frustratingly vague, leaving viewers to wonder if the pair might even be in love. This ambiguity is particularly problematic given the context of the series, which references queerness throughout but fails to address the central pair's feelings in a meaningful way.
It's as if someone has gone in and cut out every scene of intimacy between the pair, spoken or physical, while keeping the rest of the story intact. The result feels hollow, despite the best efforts of the lead actors, who do remarkable work with the material they're given.
When discussing the true nature of Ryu and Johan's connection, the lead actor explained that it's not about being physical, but rather about showing different varieties of how love can be expressed. While love and queerness are fluid by their very nature, the problem arises when it feels like elements that could be interpreted as more explicitly queer are actively avoided.
For some viewers, the show's ambiguity won't matter, and they'll appreciate the story's emotional weight and stunning production values. However, for others, the lack of explicit intimacy and unclear feelings will be a major issue, especially given the current global landscape for queer representation on screen.
Ultimately, Soul Mate's reluctance to reckon with the true nature of Ryu and Johan's feelings leaves the show feeling like a missed opportunity. While the final declaration of love is effective, it's not enough to undo the issues that preceded it, and viewers are left wondering what could have been.
