Soul Mate Ending Explained: Directed by Shunki Hashizume, Netflix’s emotional Japanese romance drama stars Ok Taecyeon as Johan Hwang and Hayato Isomura as Ryu Narutaki, alongside Ai Hashimoto, Koshi Mizukami and Ken Yasuda. The drama unfolds for almost ten years across various places like Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo through 8 episodes. The show is highly emotional, sad, and melancholic in nature, but portrays a beautiful story related to loneliness, guilt, love, and individuals who unintentionally turn into each other’s homes.
Soul Mate Ending Explained
Why Did Ryu Leave Japan and Run Away to Berlin?
The choice made by Ryu to move to Berlin stemmed from the overwhelming guilt he felt as a result of all that happened to Arata. In college, Ryu and Arata were very close as both a pair of teammates and friends. However, their relationship changed when Arata expressed his emotions to him. Though Ryu did not turn him away, he could not give an honest answer due to fear and confusion about how other people would react to what Arata said.
This private conversation was overheard by another teammate who went on to spread rumours about Arata’s sexual orientation among the rest of the team. As a result, there was blatant discrimination against him, and some members of the team were mean and disrespectful towards him. The stress finally overwhelmed Arata to such an extent that he attempted suicide just before a crucial game. Although Arata managed to survive, the event devastated Ryu spiritually. He found it unbearable to confront his fellow teammates, the sport that he once cherished, and Arata, who was now lying in a hospital bed due to all that transpired.
Ryu felt that his apprehension and inability to speak had cost him his dear friend. Unable to deal with the burden of guilt, he left Japan and went to Berlin, claiming he was visiting Sumiko. But Ryu’s time in Berlin was not really a new beginning for him. Most days, he wandered around in a daze, unable to forgive himself and plagued by the thought of Arata. In essence, Ryu’s journey to Berlin was not so much a new beginning as it was self-punishment because he felt unworthy of happiness.
Why Did Johan Have to Leave Korea?
Having suffered the failure of his career and reputation because of the scandal, Johan decided to move to Japan, where he thought he could start a new life. Before settling down, he had intended to use his time there to work out in the gym where he was trained before. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when Johan had to defend his bartender friend Hyeong against a bunch of thugs who were bullying him at a gay bar. It turns out that the incident was planned by none other than the corrupt promoter Shim, who was behind Johan’s game-fixing years ago.
After the news went viral online, Johan was immediately hounded by an outpouring of public anger against him. They taunted him, defaced his apartment, and launched vicious homophobic attacks towards him on the Internet as well as in the streets. It even made him more controversial than the violent acts themselves because of his connection to the gay bar. The consequences reached even those innocent of what had transpired, like his coach, who had to close down her gym due to all the negative publicity. Slowly, he distanced himself from others, convinced that all those who knew him were eventually going to be harmed by his being there.
At last, Ryu went to Korea in search of Su-ha along with Ryu, and he discovered Johan hiding all by himself in a deserted factory. Johan was feeling highly ashamed of himself and wished that Ryu should never find him in such a dejected state, but Ryu did not leave him at all. In lieu of pitying him, Ryu gave him an opportunity and requested him to join him in Japan. It must be stated that to Johan, the move to Japan meant something more than just changing his nation; it became a means of emotional survival after his total loss in Korea.
What Happened to Sumiko at the End of Soul Mate?
Sumiko in the Soul Mate Japanese drama goes through heartbreak and recovery throughout the entire story. Though she looks confident and self-reliant, it is revealed in the story that she went through tough times as a child and was not able to enjoy an affectionate and happy home life. After going through hard times when she lived in Berlin and was studying fashion design, Sumiko still felt comforted because of Ryu and his family. Eventually, she falls in love with Seiichi, and their love develops gradually into something real and true. They decide to marry and have children.
Nonetheless, yet another twist in Sumiko’s life takes place after Seiichi’s sudden death in a car accident shortly before the birth of their child. This unexpected turn causes Sumiko extreme grief and fear over bringing up a child on her own, especially as she believes that she may become just like her own negligent mother. In the process of coping with her loss, Ryu and Johan help her out in every possible way and ultimately invite her to move in with them. Once Kanau comes into the world, all three become parents together and form an unusual but happy family unit.
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Why Did Johan Leave Japan?
At the end of Soul Mate, Johan decides to leave Japan after learning that he suffers from a disease known as ALS, which is fatal since it will slowly rob him of all his movement capabilities and speech. He is scared by the news, not just because of the pain that awaits him but also due to the fear of becoming a burden for his loved ones.
It should be remembered that at that particular time, Johan finally managed to establish himself in the Japanese society together with Ryu, Sumiko, and Kanau, feeling happy to have a place in this world where he would no longer feel like a stranger. To hide the truth from his family members, Johan takes part-time jobs in nightclubs.
His mysterious actions begin to create tension at home. He comes back late, usually drunk, detached emotionally, leading Ryu to think that Johan is losing control or going off the rails. As they start arguing, the quarrels eventually escalate into an outright confrontation between the two of them. Midway through the argument, Johan surprisingly confesses that he is in love with someone, yet still can’t confess his whole truth to Ryu about how he feels and about his condition. Johan actually feels that he is holding everyone close to him hostage because he will eventually die before their eyes if he stays.
It can be said that Johan’s departure echoes the emotional traits that have plagued both Johan and Ryu throughout their lives. Every time things become unbearable, both Johan and Ryu try to run away and hide in their shells instead of reaching out for someone else. Like how Ryu chose to run off to Berlin due to the guilt of his actions towards Arata, Johan leaves Japan since he is not able to cope with being weak before Ryu. However, what is ironic about his actions is that this is done out of love instead of rejection.
Did Ryu and Johan Get a Happy Ending?
Soul Mate ends on an emotional but bittersweet note, giving Ryu and Johan the honesty and love they have been denying each other for such a long time. When Johan departs from Japan, ten years elapse. Ryu lives with his parents, Sumiko, and Kanau, acting like a family with each other and harbouring the burden of Johan’s departure.
One day, when he is cleaning his uncle’s painting room, he finds a diary belonging to Johan that consists of drawings and memories, not only about his life but also about him. With this diary, Ryu finally comes to realise that he was unaware of all the love that Johan had kept inside him for so many years. Su-ha informs them that Johan is dying in Berlin.
Ryu then flies back to Germany, where he meets with Johan, who is in very poor physical health, requiring the use of a wheelchair and having almost lost his ability to talk due to suffering from ALS. The reunion of Ryu and Johan is incredibly tender since both men feel comfortable showing their feelings. Johan makes a video in which he reveals that meeting Ryu made him want to live, giving him a reason to keep going on even when everything seemed extremely dark. Ryu then makes an admission that he has been carrying inside of himself for many years, saying he loves Johan.
At the ending of Soul Mate, we see both Ryu and Johan return to the same church in Berlin where they had first met before going on one last trip together. It is evident from the show that there is no intention of Johan being cured; instead, he is shown as terminally ill. Nevertheless, the ending does give a sense of hopefulness, for it is not a tale of fear or regret but a tale of choice and acceptance. Both have finally chosen each other and spent what is left of Johan’s life with each other without any reservations.
Also Read: Soul Mate Review: Painfully Beautiful Story About Love, Loneliness and Healing
