It was recently reported that 2PM‘s Ok Taecyeon would star in a new Netflix show.
On June 27, Sports Chosun reported that Taecyeon was filming a Netflix J-Drama titled Soul Mate. It tells the story of a Japanese man, Ryu, and a Korean boxer, Jo Han (also romanized as Yo Han). Over a decade, the two meet in Seoul, Berlin, and Tokyo and become closer as they heal one another’s wounds.
Hayato Isomura has been confirmed as Taecyeon’s co-star. He is a recognizable Japanese actor known for Alice in Borderland, Kinou nani tabeta?, Kamen Rider Heisei Generations: Dr. Pac-Man vs. Ex-Aid & Ghost with Legend Rider, Kamen Rider Ghost, and many more.
Soul Mate was initially described as a “bromance” in reports, while some added that it will go “beyond mere friendship.” This fueled speculation that “bromance” was really code for BL (Boy Love).
Ok Taecyeon and Hayato Isomura will be the lead in upcoming Netflix “bromance” drama #Soulmate.
we will be tuning in because itll be very gay anyway. pic.twitter.com/DXSPOwmojS
— mikey / 🏳️🌈 (@beansxooo) June 27, 2024
Wait what do you mean a “bromance” and they have an “emotional connection” BEYOND being friends? I am freaking out! Someone pinch me 😭😭
AND YOURE TELLING ME THERE’S A BIG POSSIBILITY WE WILL BE SEEING HIM SHIRTLESS?! BYE! 😵💫#TAECYEON #택연 #옥택연#OkTaecyeon #テギョン https://t.co/Q5pnLAHkew pic.twitter.com/6DRODjBpGf
— N ✧.*☁️ (@taec_cookie) June 27, 2024
Taec during audition/casting:
“I have 5 brothers that I have bromance with for 15 years. Please hire me.” #2PM #TAECYEON https://t.co/QL4jWnOZRB pic.twitter.com/YT7EUo6ZLj— WoovingU (@woovingu2piem) June 27, 2024
Shortly after, Netflix confirmed that Soul Mate is a BL J-Drama.
Netflix’s official social media accounts posted a photo of Taecyeon and Hayato Isomura sitting side-by-side. In the caption, the plot for the series was officially revealed: “Traversing the cities of Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo, the series tells a 10-year-long love story between two young men. From writer and director Shunki Hashizume (Scroll, More Than Words).” With that, Netflix clarified that it’s not a “bromance” but a “love story between two young men.”
Here’s your first look at Soul Mate starring Hayato Isomura and Ok Taec-yeon.
Traversing the cities of Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo, the series tells a 10-year-long love story between two young men. From writer and director Shunki Hashizume (Scroll, More Than Words). pic.twitter.com/80AxrJNJTk
— Netflix (@netflix) June 27, 2024
The tweet went viral instantly, with 647.6K views at the time of writing. Fans were shocked by Netflix’s announcement.
Yall said this was bromance 🤨
— ᓚᘏᗢ (@quicksulver) June 28, 2024
Did you just say ‘love story’ ???? pic.twitter.com/Cm8L4uhpoN
— Blue (@Blue19950513) June 28, 2024
Love Story??! Netflix u better hold on to your own words
— eigengrau (@sweetchaconne) June 28, 2024
BROMANCE O ROMANCE? dont be homophobic pleaseeeeeee
— Juliana (@juulianarenzo) June 27, 2024
The listing for Soul Mate on Netflix is even in the LGBTQ+ category.
netflix has already uploaded the tags for the 2025 J-drama series #SoulMate, including explicitly placing it under their “LGBTQ+ TV shows” category 🤍
“this show is: sentimental, bittersweet, emotional” will we survive? #taecyeon #택연 #옥택연 #テギヨン pic.twitter.com/rVA1zdmsBb
— rick & yohan sexy man crisis counselor 👩⚕️ (@taecachance) July 1, 2024
2PM fans are especially anticipating Taecyeon’s first BL drama. Although he has acted in many mainstream roles for many years, this will be different for him.
taecyeon in a gay romance? pic.twitter.com/A98MJjalXC https://t.co/cHP1fjP5gf
— sunoo: mother (@narryyonce) June 28, 2024
Wait a damn minute
I thought y’all said this was bromanceARE WE ACTUALLY GETTING TAECYEON HOMOSEXUALITY??????? pic.twitter.com/ANn3CDWNqB
— BDSM Poets Department ✨ (@Dera_Writes) June 27, 2024
TAECYEON GAY DRAMA IVE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR THIS pic.twitter.com/S6e4WzjV7L https://t.co/OROIQC1w2a
— Conrat Sonda Baby (@hotgirlkimlip) June 28, 2024
taecyeon doing a BL?????? EVERYONE GASPED AND CHEERED AT THE SAME TIME https://t.co/hwC225dsI0
— ~ (@hottestbrolamp) June 28, 2024
Now, Taecyeon has opened up about embracing his BL drama debut. In a statement, he shared that he was eager to “discover new sides of myself,” and he’s worked hard to portray his character “with sincerity.”
Because there were so many types of characters and genres that I hadn’t tried yet (…) and discover new sides of myself.
— Taecyeon
While this isn’t the first time a K-Pop idol has starred in a BL drama, this is still a remarkable step in LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation, as Taecyeon isn’t only from one of the hottest 2nd Gen K-Pop groups but it’s a mainstream Netflix production.
Read more below.
Netflix Confirms 2PM’s Ok Taecyeon Is Starring In BL Drama, Revealing First Look
Source: Boys Love Hub
