MBC Comedy-Drama “Soulmate”
Although I’m busy with “work” and life and all those other things, and still have to catch up on recaps of Dal Ja’s Spring, I think the next series I’ll try recapping is the MBC show SOULMATE, broadcast in mid-2006. Partially because (1) it’s an awesome show, and (2) there doesn’t seem to be a lot of information available about it.
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BASIC INFO:
Director(s): No Do-chul, Sun Hye-yoon
Screenwriters: Jo Jin-kook, Park Eun-jung, Nam Ji-yeon
Broadcast period: 2006 March 13 - 2006 June 26
Episode total: 12* (see note at bottom)
Official MBC Website: http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/ent/soulmate/soul/index.html
(Torrents and subs available at d-addicts.com.)
SONG(s) OF THE DAY
A universally praised aspect of the show is its amazing, eclectic, perfectly selected soundtrack. There are too many songs featured to even list properly in one post, but these are a few key tracks:
Nouvelle Vague - “This Is Not A Love Song.” This serves as kind of the anthem of the first episode. [ zShare download ]
Mon Murmure - “Jazz Cocktail.” This gives you an idea of the playful nature the show sometimes adopts. [ zShare download ]
Fantastic Plastic Machine - “L’aventure Fantastique” [ zShare download ]
Lasse Lindh - “The Stuff” [ zShare download ]
THE (VERY ATTRACTIVE) CAST::
L to R: Otani Ryohei, Sa Kang (as Hong Yu-jin), Lee Soo-kyung, Shin Dong-wook, Jang Mi-in-ae (as Jang Min-ae), Jung-hwan, Kim Mi-jin, Phillip Choi
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I stumbled across the series, fell in love with it, and worked on translating the latter half. For fans of kdramas who wish there was something a little “different” and fresher from the norm, who may enjoy sitcoms like the Nonstop series but find them a little stale and predictable, Soulmate is a must-see. It might be best described as a Sex & The City-style comedy-drama, often risque and mostly dealing with modern relationships and how men and women differ in how they communicate.
The director, No Do Chul, is quite talented and best known perhaps for his Hello, Francesca series, which was an Addams Family-like sitcom about multigenerational vampires. He’s got a knack for visual flair and a kickass ear for music.
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THE PREMISE:
Each episode deals with an aspect of modern relationships and dating, but at the center of the series are its two destined “soulmates,” Shin Dong-wook and Lee Soo-kyung. Lest you immediately groan at the cheesy and over-romanticized concept of soulmates, let me assure you that it’s handled very well, and not at all in a trite or obvious way. The series deals with the question of whether soulmates even exist, with each character on a different part of the spectrum. Interestingly, the two supposed soulmates are among the most skeptical, while the supporting characters tend to consider the concept in a more idealized, romantic way.
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SHIN DONG-WOOK, a freelance music coordinator (with excellent musical taste, by the way), is the consummate playboy, a guy’s guy who finds women constantly throwing themselves at him. He’s perfected the “game” of dating to an art form. He hangs out with best friends Jung-hwan and Ryohei, who are both players in their own right but not to the level of success as Dong-wook. At 30 and from a good background and family, he’s being pressured to finally settle down and goes on a “mat-seon,” or a formal blind date between two prospective marriage candidates, and meets Hong Yu-jin. He doesn’t necessarily believe in true love or soulmates, but he’s content enough to date Yu-jin for the moment, playing this game he’s conquered so many times.
LEE SOO-KYUNG is your everywoman character, lovable and pretty, but not exceptional. She works as a proofreader at a newspaper, and has dated her boyfriend, Phillip, for five years. She loves Philip and has a content life, but her love has never been challenged, until Phillip proposes to her (on a subway!) and she finds herself conflicted rather than happily excited. She doesn’t believe in soulmates either, but believes that sticking to this relationship that’s been nurtured with time and commitment will lead to happiness.
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SUPPORTING CHARACTERS:
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HONG YU-JIN (above, left) is a well-bred, conservative 27-year-old who just wants to get married and be a good wife and mother. Although she was raised as a little princess, instead of being bratty and spoiled, she’s rather na�ve. She also speaks a quirky, old-style form of Korean which is oddly formal but also endearing. At first she falls for Dong-wook’s qualifications and calculated moves, but soon finds herself falling in love for real.
PHILLIP is a doting boyfriend to Soo-kyung, overly attentive and the kind of guy who showers his girl with cutesy phrases and gifts. Although he’s a bit timid and unassuming, he catches the notice of a seductress, Min-ae, and finds his feelings for Soo-kyung faltering…
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JANG MIN-AE, an English instructor, is your classic man-eater, confident and sexy and aggressively so. Any guy she wants, she gets. She starts dating Ryohei, but at the same time starts noticing her co-worker, Phillip, as cute and interesting. She knows he’s been dating a girl in a serious relationship, but she comes on to Phillip anyway. After all, it’s not her fault if he’s attracted to her. She’s never thought of how her actions may hurt others, enjoying life and romance for what it is in the present…
RYOHEI is a Japanese model, who became popular in Korea for his commercials and modeling (both true for the character and real-life actor). He catches the eye of Min-ae, and despite knowing of her cool attitude toward love, understands her and lets her have her space. He’s considered a hot catch but isn’t terribly interested in the dating tug-of-war; he doesn’t quite understand what all the love-games are about. He’d rather just be honest and straightforward, rather than going through the whole romance run-around.
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JUNG-HWAN, 32 and a personal trainer at the gym, likes to think he’s a better player than he is, but his pick-up lines are mostly cheesy and he assumes women like him when they’re often annoyed at his persistence. He’s rendered helpless at the hands of a beautiful woman. Still, he’s rather harmless and has had his share of playing Casanova.
KIM MI-JIN is Soo-kyung and Yu-jin’s supervisor at the newspaper. She’s an eccentric spinster who believes herself to be independent and liberated, but is desperately in want of a man. She subscribes to an unpredictable and strange set of beliefs, but has occasional flashes of true insight. She falls for Jung-hwan and pursues him with unbelievable persistence, believing him to be her soulmate. Jung-hwan is both attracted and repulsed by her (often depending on his level of intoxication!).
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* MBC did something interesting with this series, which is billed as a sitcom but is really more like a very funny drama. The first two episodes are one hour long. Thereafter, each “hour” episode actually contains 2 “installments.” So although there are technically 22 “episodes” in total, in terms of hour-long episodes to watch/download, there are 12. It sounds confusing at first, but just keep in mind there are 12 hours and you’ll be fine.
** photo credits to MBC and Luv at soompi
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Tags: Lee Soo-kyung, Noh Do-chul, Sa Kang, Shin Dong-wook, Soulmate
This is an excellent and underated drama. It has a lot of reality in it towards life/love/friendships/relationships. I enjoyed it very much!!! There is not a lot of info about it though!!
Hi Javabeans, Thunderbolt gave links through her siggie over at JAC on her Dal Ja Springs MINKI craze and seeing your name there I clicked and voila I came to your land!
Loved reading all your comments/notes/summary with pics of Dal Ja Springs and then clicked on Soulmate, yeah, I’ve read some on this and I’m sure it must be great!
So BIG TICK to look for SOULMATE!
Cheers, E
P/S You are very appreciated for all your work done for us mere UN-Korean mortals for all your translation subbing work etc….And reading your thoughts…such a joy..Thanks so much
Thanks, and you should most definitely check out Soulmate! It’s a really excellent show.
And thank you for your thank-you (lol), because it makes all the translating and subbing totally worth it!
Heeeeey… my interest is piqued! After I finish Oh Dal Ja, I’m gonna try to find Soulmate XD.
I have to agree with almost everything you are saying. I’m currently watching this ~ the first time I heard about this series (when it first aired) I was a bit skeptical about the whole “soulmates” thing but after watching it…I’ve fallen in love with it. I loved how you compared it to NonStop but not as predictable. I definitely agree - I’m a big fan of the nonstop series but found them a bit cliche…this series has a little bit of both….playfulness and seriousness. Thanks for this great recommendation!
Hi, i ran across your site and was so happy that someone noticed this show! I just finished watching the subbed version and loved it soooo much! It’s probably one of the best shows there are! It’s sooooo funny and it’s very realistic…unlike most of the typical themes for korean love comedies! also, none of the actors are too well known but I think they’ve acted out there roles very well! I can’t wait until it comes out in DVD! I’ll definitely buy it!
thanks for the heads-up on this drama…
if i didn’t see on your site…
i wouldn’t even have known it existed.
thankkks… one of the best dramas!
I saw you post on this a couple of days ago, and since I love your taste in dramas, I decided to download Soulmate and have spent the last 2 days juggling work and no sleep!!! Loved it, loved it, loved it!! great music, great cast and great story. Thanks for letting me in on the greatness of Soulmate
This drama is some sort of “a drama less watched”. But it’s an amazing drama. Loved it!
I’m thrilled to see people checking out Soulmate based on my rec, who perhaps had never heard of the series before… My work here is done.
I really don’t enjoy it. I ended up liking the short, proper one in the begining and then not liking her character only a few episodes later. I guess it was fresh and up beat but not for me. But a must see to judge for yourself.
I really love your site! And this show is turning out to be quite awesome as well. I was wondering if you could post a song from this show…it features a male singer, and it plays whenever the 2 main characters pass by each other. Thanks and keep up your great blog!!
Hello..Based on your rec, I wanted to see more of this show. So, I went on veoh and YouTube and watched it. It was great;) I loved this show so much…I was never bored..All the characters were well developed. It’s very different from all the other kdramas. Everyone’s perspective was shown. It got a little bit confusing with all the playing out same scenes from different point of views. But it came together towards the last 2-3 episodes. I loved the two main characters, how they were so pessimistic about FATE..then believing it towards the end. I just wished they showed us what happened to them in the end. I guess it will keep us guessing. Is there another season or was that it? Thanks so much for all your wonderful insights. I’m enjoying all your summaries especially Que sera sera. You’re doing a marvelous job translating to us ‘Non-korean’ speaking viewers. Thank You!
I’ve seen 4 episodes of this and I have to say it’s surprisingly funny.
I really love all the characters in their own way.
I am intrigued why you rated this as A+. this must be really good.=)
jh, that song is called “C’mon Through” and it’s by Lasse Lindh.
emma, that’s one of my favorite aspects — the cutting between perspectives, the nonlinear (out-of-chronological-order) storytelling that all makes sense when it comes together in the end…
there was supposed to be a season 2, and while no details have been officially announced about the status, i’m not sure if it’s still a go… but i won’t give up hope until they formally announce anything about it.
im still in the 2nd episode yet it gets so interesting. =) it does really deserve an a+! I couldn’t thank you enough javabeans, i’ve discovered a lot of very nice kdramas to watch. It just keeps entertaining me and im learning a lot from it also.
Hi Javabeans, do you happen to know the song that plays in episode 11, when Dong-wook and Soo-kyung are listening to the mp3 player by the lake? The song also plays when everyone gathers at the restaurant. Thanks!
Javabeans!!!! I so love this drama! Any news on season2? BTW, i also like the song by John Lennon but I don’t know the title though. I have not yet watched the 2nd half of ep12 in veoh….I’m afraid I might not be able to sleep wondering what would’ve happened. Did they meet or did they not meet? ohhhh….. I really enjoyed watching it. This drama really deserves an A+. =) Thank you, thank you, thank you! and….I really like Dong-wook’s character…Soo-kyung and him deserves to be happy.=)
When I saw this show, I instantly fell in love with it. I had tears in my eyes from laughing so much. I’m definitely going to recommend this show to other korean drama addicts.
Do you know when the next season will be aired? I want to know if SHIN DONG-WOOK and LEE SOO-KYUNG are really fated to be together. THANKS!!
yea. cant wait for season two. haha. dong wook’s hotta hotta! i like it that they used their real names here. haha.. i can’t get enough!!!!!!!!!!
and oh, i hope u do make some recaps for this series. realy looking forward to that. =)
@jane: it’s peking laundry- don’t turn away
@javabeans: love ur blog and thanks for all ur subbing!! so far ive liked all the dramas u’ve raved on about!woohoo
soulmate is awsome, i want to see season two, and i’m in love with lee soo- kyung
thank you very very much for subbing this series =] i watched it over the past week and totally got addicted to it ^^;; i cannot wait till the second season, which i hope hope hope there is ^^ anyways yes, absolutely loved this series and wanted to thank you very much for making it possible for me to understand it =]
Javabeans, what’s the title of John Lennon’s song that Dong-wook playe for Soo-kyung?
@Fuschcia Pink: if its the one im thinking of, it’s “oh my love”
hope that helps
This is one fo my favorite dramas so far! i like that it’s unconventional and more like a sitcom. The only thing that disappointed me was the whole I can hear your thoughts thing. Kind of silly, but I got over it because it didnt affect the drama over all. I want the OST too. Best soundtrack I’v heard.
Just want to say a big “Thank You” for recommending this series (easily going to be one of my top 5 favorite of all time). It is so fresh and unconventional - very appealing to all the romantics and cynics in this world. The idea of true love and fate - relationship and dating in a 2007-frame-of-mind. Are the writers a group of 20-something women? Solid and cleverly written story line, strong and REAL characters, beautiful wardrobe and an excellent sound track. Love the ending, so appropriate for its title. Even if there is no season 2, the ending was just PERFECT. Truly deserving of an A+.
P.S.: Awesome sub, javabeans…. thanks so much for all your hard work!
hey javabeans,
i just finished watching this drama and i just wanted to leave a comment. i agree that if anyone has the chance to watch the drama, they should watch it. i loved this drama and i can’t wait for season 2!!! do you know when season 2 will be out? oh, and i also want to thank you for the soundtracks for the drama…
I have got to say, this is by far the most interesting drama I have watched, hands down!! All the other dramas (romance dramas) are so typical and just plain out boring after a while. It’s just the same plot over and over again with different actors and actresses. Blah..
Soulmate on the other hand is awesome. It hooked me with its endearing plot and lovable (and great looking ^.~) actors and actresses. OH MY GOSH. This drama just totally makes me gush. I can’t wait for the 2nd season.
ANYONE WHO LOVES DRAMAS MUST WATCH THIS SERIES! IT’S THAT GOOD!!!!! >.
I think I cracked 3 ribs laughing. Hands down the funniest, wittiest Kdrama I’ve ever watched. The writing is awesome; best lines I’ve seen in a long while. Thanks for recommending this, sarahbeans.
are the characters’ names the same as the actors?
sweetrain, yes the characters names are (mostly) their real names. exceptions: jang mi-in-ae’s character name was modified to the simpler jang min-ae, sa kang went by hong yu-jin, and i’m not sure if ju-ho and ju-hee are their real names.
for some reasons, lots of sitcoms do this — Nonstop, High Kick — the main exceptions being when two actors play siblings or there’s a particular reason their real name isn’t appropriate for their character.
and no, still no news on season 2.
i’m not holding my breath.
[...] read about this serial onSoompi and Javabeans‘ blog. Javabeans mentioned that this is really good drama that you should watch, so when I [...]
What a great sitcom! The ending left us waiting impatiently for Part II but now there’s no Part II..arghhhh!
HEY! Thank you, JAVABEANS, for the subbing and all =] I really enjoyed the series!
It was SO awesome! And I’m happy I got the chance to watch it 
What’s going on with the “no part II” news? =[ Is it really true?! O__O PLEASEEE let me know! I’m dying to see the second part of it. OMGGG
Again- THANK YOU SO MUCH =DD
Nana, unfortunately it’s true there’s no season 2. We’ll just have to wear our Season 1 out rewatching instead.
aww no fair!
WHAAAAAAAT?!?!?
DUDEE, NO WAY! THAT’S DOOKIE!! ;___________;
omggg, why?!?! where’d you hear it from?! >_
I was trying to get caught up on season 2 when i checked soompi and it seems that although they had started recording for the first episode it was cancelled. Am completly devastated…..i wish we could write to those damn writers and producers and just demand the second season.
I don’t think they started filming for a season two. And while it sucks, it’s not the writers and producers’ faults — they wanted to proceed as well. Blame MBC for not wanting to broadcast a season 2, although strictly from a business sense, I suppose they feel it didn’t garner enough ratings to justify producing more episodes.
Thank Javabean for the recaps of KDrama and Soulmate is 1 of my top fav.
This is such an exceptional sitcom/drama with awesome casts and great OST!
i really looking forward for the season 2 and a bit frustrated when u said MBC has cancelled it! Hope they listening to us and come to their sense.. lol
I want my season II, waaaaa. We need to start petitioning MBC to make it! Seriously! I love this drama, funny, sweet and poignant at the same time.
hey Javabeans, thanks so much for recommending great but underrated dramas that otherwise I’d have missed. First Bad Family and now this. ^^ I’m curious about one thing… It’s about the guy who plays Su-gyeong’s brother, he looks really familiar… Is there a chance he’s the same guy who plays Dong-soo (Choon-hyang’s employee and pretend-boyfriend in the last 2 episodes) in Delighful Girl Choon-hyang? I might be wrong though.
Soulmate gave me hope that Korean television could be quirky and different. It’s truly one of its kind in the Korean television. I actually found myself buying the idea of a soulmate existing for everyone when I’m usually the cynic. If only more television was made this way. Thank you for the recommendation. This drama is one of my favourite Korean dramas now.
Celia, you’re right about the brother. He was Dong-Soo in DGCH.
Hi,
Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed reading some of your recaps and drama ratings. Keep it up! I saw Soulmate last spring when it was coming out, and I remember being so excited about it that I’d loiter around clubboxes for days waiting for it to be uploaded every week. The soundtrack *is* exceptional, and it’s my favorite drama, too.
I’ve seen your subtitling work for Dal Ja’s Spring, and while I have some minor quibbles (mostly with syntax differences between the original Korean and the English translation), overall I thought you and the rest of WITHS2 did a great job with a great drama. One thing that you guys might think about: coordinating flashback scenes and the opening “review” sequences between episodes. Sometimes they’re translated differently because the translators were different, and it can be distracting when one version doesn’t match up as well with the Korean dialogue as the other. A minor point, though. Best of luck with future projects.
Hm, i didn’t do the translating for Dal Ja’s Spring (mostly spots here and there) but i’ll have to take a look at the subs and see what you’re referring to. I do agree that there are some fansub translations in general that tend to be too literal in syntax and interpretation, but it’s something each translator learns with more experience. And as we’re a purely volunteer operation, we’re grateful to have any and all translating help that we can get, with all the various projects we’ve got going.
Thanks for your feedback and I’m always happy to read more praise about Soulmate since it’s such a great series.
Hi Javabeans!
are you going to cont the recaps of Soulmate?
Javabeans.. I really like your nickname.. love your blog..I have read your rating for all the kdramas that you saw.. you rated Soulmate as a must see.. I went right away and finished the drama in 2 days only ..coz currently I am on vacation.. to be honest I don’t believe in soulmates.. but what made the drama a must see is the other characters.. they were soo funny that I kept watching nonstop.. also it envolved alot of learning about relationships..
I have one Q.. who wrote the pink and the black diaries .. it seemed like it will make you a pro on dating.. it was really funny how the copycat turned to original where the original dating pro turned to a copycat..
this drama was underrated as I never heard about it before coming here..
I am really thankful to you.. if you another must see drama just let me know..
Soulmate 2! some good news. guys, I wrote the people over at MBC and they replied promptly:
“Thank you for your compliment on MBC’s SOULMATE. Your email’s being a lot help to promote this program. I am working in the business department where we sell our contents worldwide. Because sit-coms are not the big selling content, and because the charaters in SOULMATE are not the ‘well-known’ ones in Asia or in other countries, that this ‘good’ program did not mark the bug sale. But being encouraged by your email, I might try once more to try to introduce SOUlMATE again to more viewers worldwide.
I will also forward your email to the producer to encourage him to fight for the time block for ’season 2′.!! ^^
Thank you!!
Haewon Chin
International Business Division
MBC”
So, if we could write them to show that there are a lot of fans out there (cause the ones who dont live in Korea havent been counted in the ratings) it might encourage them to have the second season. and if we could all spread the word so that other people will watch the show when they reintroduce it, it would really help a lot. So we can all enjoy this show once again.
And it definitely pays to write!
here’s the site with all their email contacts. just cc all of them, that’s what I did.
http://content.mbc.co.kr/e_mbc/biz_main.asp
wow thanks lovethisshow!!!!!
I’ll definitely write for them, i want a second season so bad T.T
I loved this drama. It is the best korean show I have seen. I love Shin Dong Wook (He is so HOT). It is sad that they are not going to make a season 2. I was really looking forward to it.
I found this drama and instantly hooked. It has been a while since I found a drama that can capture me fully like this. This is one of my fave kdramas ever. I absolutely love the smart dialougues, humors and directing. It can get cheesy sometimes but they do it in such humorous way you can’t help but laughing at/with it. The soundtracks are so awesome. My only regret is this show is so underrated. I almost missed this show, and plenty must have actually missed it.
I have written to the MBC execs. I don’t know if it will make any differences but at least we try right ^^
Glad I stumbled across your site while reading comments for Coffee Prince.
Soulmate, thus far, is in the top three favorite dramas of all time for me. It was light-hearted and serious at the same time. It did give a realistic spin on relations, not only between lovers but between friends. As it delved further into the relationships of these couples, I found myself enthralled and began rooting for Dong Wook and Su-gyeong, even though they don’t meet until the later half of the episodes! I won’t lie when I say I cried while watching Episode 7, the second installment. That had to be my favorite episode out of the series … although Yu-jin’s wind comes a close second XD.
This series is underappreciated and underrated. If I’m not mistaken, is there a second season coming out for this?
I’m definitely favoriting your site!
omg after reading this blog i watched the drama and i LOVE it!! thanks so much! i really hope they come out with a second one!
ps i love reading your blogs. keep ‘em coming!!!!!
I LOVE this show. It was vastly under-rated which was surely unjust. Ah, I still rewatch episodes just for love of it.
beautiful kisses
Shevawn aka Hipployta
i love this series!!
do you know where i might find the OST? i tried in d-addicts but it seems that there’s no one seeding there…huhuhu
nwei, i love your site! it was recommended to me by a fellow coffee prince addict..:)
If you know how to use clubbox, you can find 640Mb archives of most Soulmate OSTs in http://clubbox.co.kr/creidesca
Soompi’s Resource forum also has some of the main songs: http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2111&st=100
Thanks to your reviews regarding this sitcom, I finally watched something really different and it’s still fun for me to think about it even after I finished watching it. I agree with many others, this drama was underrated despite its special way of bringing the characters’ relationships into life. If I’m not mistaken, you are also the translator for this drama, according to the WithS2 subtitles. Another big thanks from me!
javabeans, i’ve been watching Soulmate. In the first five (hour-long) episodes, I really did not get why you raved so much about it. the music is awesome, but I didn’t think the writing was that much special. But now, i only have 3 more hour-long episodes left, and i see its genius.
great writing in the latter half of the “sitcom.” and i love the treatment of the question of soulmates. it’s thought-provoking and multi-dimensional. often, i’ve paused the video to take my time in wrestling with the characters’ views. very good.
i’m enjoying it so much, i haven’t packed for a trip I’m taking tomorrow morning. but i’m not complaining.
i’m very grateful, javabeans.
I’m so happy that I read this review! It made me explore this very profound drama about raw emotions. Ach I’m still waiting for episode 10-12 to finish on torrent. Whenever you have the time, I hope you will write reviews on the episodes. I throroughly enjoy reading all of you episode “essays” and your song choices- absolutely lovely!
I luv this series, esp. the last 3 episodes, the first 9 were kinda dragging with the storyline for DongWook and Yujin. I am not sure why he’s trying all those dating tricks to get her. She was ready attracted to him without all the tricks. He acted like he never could get a girl to his apt .. i thought he’s supposed to be a playboy ???
I laughed so hard at the girl who was saying all the wrong english words and Min-ae had to correct her !!!!!!!
Anyhow, the last 3 episodes were amazing .. the chemistry was great between Dongwook and SoGeoung. But I felt like the show was left hanging at the last episode .. if they intend to have season 2, that would be more interesting…
i sooooooo loved this series!
I finished this series in marathon, that i had to sleep around 330 AM and have to wake up at 530 for work! THat’s how hooked i was on this!! In some parts, i felt myself crying because of how the two are so fated with each other. I also love the different perspectives and also how they connect one event after another! great great idea, it made me love it more! =)
Although i was also confused at time, im not sure if it is because of the video that i watched but some parts i think were skipped. Like how the brother of girl met Yujin? Also on some parts i will just be surprised, for example on the CD store, it was shown that they passed by with each other, but then it wasn’t shown that they were now side by side, only from the flashbacks was it seen. Same as how the two met on the restaurant where they saw Philip, why did they meet there? On the flashback there was a scene where Dongwook pull out a dress on the girls bag, but i again i didnot see this part. Was it really only for the flashback? Or the whole scene was also shown? hmmm.. just confused on that.
I really really hope there’s season 2!! They have to be together! =)) I love Dongwook, i love how he smiles.. =)
Anyway, thanks javabeans for recommending this, it is now my favorite drama! =)
i have to say i absolutely loved LOVED this drama. loved it so much i went through lots of sleep deprivation for it. it was so totally worth it. (when else am i going to find time to watch dramas other than during summer vacation?) the writing was absolutely brilliant. i only wish that i could write a story as complex as this one. the writers must have planned all this far in advance. my brain cannot organize and plan a story like this one as much as it may want to.
this drama struck me as really similar to the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. have you seen it? i love that movie to death. it’s got the nonlinear story telling as well as the resolved-unresolved, ‘let life lead us wherever we go. let’s just see how this plays out’ decision made between the main couple (Joel & Clementine, Su-gyeong & Dong wook).
the thing i love about korean dramas is how the writers aren’t afraid of including melancholy, slow, contemplative scenes. we rarely ever see that in american tv shows. the slow scenes are, of course, pleasing to the eye - let me excessively drool over dongwook’s gorgeous face - but just allows the audience to mull things over along with the character. of course there were times when i felt the scenes were too long and would fast-forwarded to the interesting bits with su-gyeong and dongwook.
another technique they employ really well in korean dramas are the flashback scenes. memories. remembering… our brains really work that way! and once you’ve seen the flashback technique used clumsily, you appreciate it much more when it’s done well. watch mary kate and ashley’s holiday in the sun (the austrailia one i think) to understand what i’m talking about. the way they use it just makes you criiinge.
thanks soo much javabeans for recommending this drama! it was a brilliant end-of-summer gift.
I feel so sad.
First, for myself. It’s over =[ and there are too few dramas (er sitcoms?) out there like this..
Second, for everyone who didn't watch this. How could this show be so underrated that it didn't get a second season?!!? You people!
-sigh-
At least the ending of season one was a pretty good end to the whole series. I was so hooked on this that i spent my whole saturday watching. It's so crazy. This is the first drama i've ever seen like this.
Definitely one of my favorites =]
Great Drama! just finished watching it and Loved it! thanks for all your recomendations
love, love this drama/sitcom… the music is what won me over really… the ladies are exceptional… each with their own cute catch phrases…
if you haven’t seen it, take a look, you’ll be surprised…
Not only out of all the Kdramas I have seen, but love stories in general have not come to touch me as much as this show did. I was never once bored watching this show and it really hooks you in wanting more, such as a second season. As many others have said, I like the multiple love stories and how everything comes together in the end. Another thing I liked was the music choice((Lasse Lindh)), since I’ve never seen music fit in so well with a show. I also heard that they are only going to make a second season only if they get a lot of good feed back on it!Which it seems to have really been recieaving in the past few months, so I really hope to see a second season soon!;o
A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
thanks so much. I love ur website… I came accross it by absolute accidence… It’s given me so much info and I love kdrama and kmusic. thanks again!
I LOVED IT!!! I always check back on this site whenever I’m bored or have time and boy am I glad I saw this. Soulmate was so good. Like the addicting, must see next episode kind of good. I’ve had like 2 hours of sleep in 24 hours but you know what…it’s soooo worth it. hahaha. The music, omgosh, the music. It was like, my heart skipped a beat whenever that C’mon Through song came on.
I’m cursing the drama gods for not sending a season 2. I know it’s really “creative” to leave that kind of ending but it’s frustrating me. I want to see them back together and have nice fluffy thoughts about soulmates.
so does this drama have 24 episodes or just 12? coz in dramawiki it says that it has 24 but you said 12..
Cartman, there are 12 hour-long installments. As I noted:
I LOVED this drama!! Thanks so much for recommending it. Not so sure I’d give it 10/10 like you did, but it’s certainly near the top of my list of drama favorites. I’m SO disappointed there isn’t a second season. I’d love to know what they were planning to do with the characters. Oh, drama withdrawl - not a pretty sight…
can’t even get past 5 minutes of the first episode!
i just finished watching Soulmate and i loved it!
i wish they would have done a second one because the ending sorta left u hanging…you have to imagine what happens pretty much
kinda like que sera sera
i always look into the dramas u watch and review because i find my taste is a lot like yours and so i usually like the same shows as you do..
thanks for posting some of the songs from the show
Finally got around to watching this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks for the recommendation.
The music is outstanding -
I just finished this drama and boy am I amazed, as well as disappointed. Soulmate has officially turned into my favorite show, but NO SEASON 2?!
I’m about to start the 11th episode but I don’t want this awesome drama to end. the music is to die for and the funny characters are awesome. This is sad to let this one go. Ahh, what should I watch to fill the gap?!
Just finished it. How can they NOT have a season two? Anyway, sweet ending. I hope to make dramas like this one day!
I’ve FINALLY seen this show! I really enjoyed the music and the overall execution, but I don’t know…I still can’t get over “Coffee Prince”…
BUT, these two shows are definitely my top 2!
Of course, this may change after I watch “Dalja’s Spring” and “Flowers for My Life.”
Hello,
actually my comment is the same as everyones: thanks for promoting Soulmate (and the subs), it made the slightly rainy week totally enjoyable.
I love that you root not only for the big flashy star driven dramas, but also for the not so wellknown dramas that would be so easy to miss by people not able to speak Korean.
Hey javabeans,
Love your blog! Thanks for your recommendation! Soulmate was awesome!!!! Great lively characters, ironic plot development, even the soundtrack was unexpected!!!!!
Keep up the good work.^^
More praise for Soulmate!!! I was curious to see why you gave this series a 10/10, so I watched it and feel in love with it! It’s smart, sassy, brilliant and entertaining! I love the banter between the characters, and I can’t believe that there is no season 2!!! And the music was perfect
:’( nooooo!!!!!!!!! there just has to be a second season!!!! this is the best BEST drama that i have ever seen….and I know my dramas… :’( what is wrong with the world?! this drama is so great and yet it’s ratings are too low…i QUIT watching dramas if there is no second season :’( i love dramas but not like i love this one.
oh! and by the way javabeans(or anyone else), do you know where i can buy this drama…or is it even out on dvd yet? cause i looked on yesasia but they have nothing on it =(
I’ve just finished watching this drama. OMG, gotta say why I didn’t know about it earlier? I was so bored with the Korean dramas today and almost don’t watch them anymore. But this serie changed everything. One of my MOST favourite.
I’m still listening the OST. Sooooo goooood…
this was definately one of my favorite dramas of all time - really funny and really touching too… a nice look into modern relationships. and it never hurts to have a hot cast that has great chemistry
@ see: from what I know there’s no dvd out for this yet, but you can DL it at d-addicts, english subbed - that’s how i was able to watch it.
i am really sad that there won’t be a season 2 though
the SOULMATE DVD (high quality) will be released on June 10, 2008. It has both English and Spanish subtitles. You can purchase the dvd on http://www.mbc24tv.com. I’m still waiting word of any possibility for a second season. Right now they told me that it isn’t being made but I wrote to find out if there is anything us fans can do to get the second season going. Hopefully if there is a good amount of sales on the dvd they can see a demand for it, plus if we write directly to the ones in charge in Korea as well. I freakishly love this show and I seriously hope that the second season comes cause I need some closure!
“Soulmate” DVD released today! Here’s the direct link to where you can purchase the “Soulmate” dvd (quality) with English and Spanish subtitles from the official site at MBC:
http://www.mbc24tv.com/shopping/productdetail.asp?pid=43
And oh the person from MBC told me that he’s still searching for the right person to get in touch at the headquarters in Korea so that we can find a way to get the second season of Soulmate going. I’m still pretty hopeful!
I stumble onto your site looking for more info on season 2 as the subs indicated at the end that there will be one but there was no information on it on drama wiki. I am sad to hear they will not have one but wished they could of done a special 1-2 hours episode to show us if they were really soul mates. The ending left us hanging but then we can assume that since both are in Japan, and if they are destined soul mates, they will run into one another again. Then again, there is still a possibility that there may be a season 2 but just thinking that all the original cast may not be back for it.
I decided to watch this drama after I saw a fan-made mv tribute to the two main characters who are destined to be each others soul mate. I had already passed this drama over, not thinking it will be a great watch, but am glad I gave it a try - really worth it!
The first few episodes did not have any interactions of the two, just two strangers passing each other in their daily lives. It was confusing at first trying to figure out when certain scenes happened because of the different time lines they were using due to different characters point of view but everything came together wonderfully in the end. It’s still a very unique way to tell the story. The mind reading ability was kinda of silly and unrealistic but cute in that it was meant to convey the “soul mate” concept of knowing how the other part of you felt without no words being spoken. The chemistry between the two was so powerful and the main characters did a great job showing us that. Can so relate to them.
Anyway, THANKS for the additional info that you and others have provided on here!
Hello, I just finished watching Soulmate and was wondering whether anyone knew what instrumental song was playing in the background of Episode 11 for about a minute. It was the part when Yu-Jin and Mi-Jin were talking in a cafe while Dong-wuk was leaving for America. It was a very nice piece, but I couldn’t seem to find it in the OST. Thanks a lot!
I loved this drama! I think its become one of my favourites and while searching for its soundtrack I stumbled onto your blog, thank you very very much for listing all the music in the drama; and also, thank you for your reviews on other dramas. It is all very in depth and well-thought out! ^^
I am definitely going to be looking into some of the ones you’ve spoke of.
I watched it and it’s so good! One of the best I have seen. Nice music and fantastic plot. Btw, anyone knows where I can buy the DVD of this show with subs. I love it so much I want to get a set and support the show!
Is Soulmate 2 out yet? I find it hard to find Soulmate 2 but the OST 2 is out?
I don’t enjoy Sex & the City because of the moral values behind it. I guess I’m not comfortable with blatant intimacy! However, I’m open to enjoy a non-predictable cheesy KOrean drama plot. Does it have any crude scenes in this series?
I’ve been visiting this website for some time and after reading your views about soulmate. I am now downloading the videos from d-addicts so that I can watch it. Seems like your reviews bout k-dramas are always spot on, the ones that you liked are now faves of mine… can’t wait to watch this series. Love your work really and thank you!
I wish we could all rally together to MBC and show them how many fans Soulmate has so they’d even just consider producing another season of the series. I’m still hoping even now for another season … am I a fool to wait? I just can’t forget about this series. I love it so much and it really killed me to know there was supposed to be a continuation in another season and they decided to cancel production of it before it even aired. …
But then again … do you guys think it’s because Soulmate wasn’t advertised to the public more when it aired on MBC so it would attract more attention? I mean, it airied in 2006 but i didn’t even know such a good drama existed until last week when I posted a thread on d-addicts asking for advice on what kinds of korean dramas to watch. And someone suggested Soulmate (the person even said to recommend it to me) and the title was intriguing enough to me so I checked out a summary of it. That’s when it all started for me.
I wish we could all rally together to MBC and show them how many fans Soulmate has so they’d even just consider producing another season of the series. I’m still hoping even now for another season … am I a fool to wait? I just can’t forget about this series. I love it so much and it really killed me to know there was supposed to be a continuation in another season and they decided to cancel production of it before it even aired. …
But then again … do you guys think it’s because Soulmate wasn’t advertised to the public more when it aired on MBC so it would attract more attention? I mean, it airied in 2006 but i didn’t even know such a good drama existed until last week when I posted a thread on d-addicts asking for advice on what kinds of korean dramas to watch. And someone suggested Soulmate (the person even said to recommend it to me) and the title was intriguing enough to me so I checked out a summary of it. That’s when it all started for me.
Hi Sarah.
I hope we make some effort to help the Seoson 2 coming, at least show some support to the writer so that the scriptwriter will feel encouraged to make another scriptwriting like this. I have read that some of Soulmate lover have sent an email and got a respond. Hopefully we can do something together? Seriously.
enjoyed watching this series. i came across your review and immediately looked for a copy… the series was a breath of fresh air, not the typical k-drama tearjerker. hopefully there will be a part 2.
I really love this show, i’m so sad to hear that there won’t be a second season, i hope a petition can help, it has helped other shows in the past.
These are really the type of shows i can get into and relate to, so i deeply away a second season.
hi fellow soulmate -lovers!
just finished my soulmate marathon. i feel so stupid for not watching it sooner instead of wasting my time w/ some lame-ass series (i won’t bother specifying w/c ones). i seriously loved it. i already came across javabeans’ entries on soulmate and thought it couldn’t be that good. but true enough, it was and much2 more. the soundtrack kills… the dialogues were witty… and the plot sweet w/o being saccharine. i loved the ending… i actually shrieked… coz i know that place and it wasn’t the US. season 2 would be nice if only to see how the love story b/w the 2 unfolds. but it shouldn’t be too long either coz there’s a great chance they might ruin it… any news on a possible season 2??? how can we help push mbc to actually go through w/ it? if there’s going to be a petition or signature campaign, please let me know. i’m definitely in…
i thoroughly enjoyed the comments… this is the only blog/site i bother reading the comments. thank u.
[...] A wonderful character description can be found over here. [...]
soulmate was unlike anything i have ever seen… in terms of drama/sitcom that is.
the storyline is original and for someone who never believed in fate before, i actually wished the-so-called-fate exists.
therefore, i really want SEASON 2.
i tried e-mailing the director and if anybody else wants do the same, heres the info::::
Mr. Weon-Geun Song (MBC Director)
Tel: 822)789-2851
Fax:822)782-3094
E-mail: song@mbc.co.kr
please e-mail for the support of SEASON 2—
OMG
I JUS FINISH WATCHING SOULMATE
I CANT BELIEVE PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS DRAMA
IT MY FAVORITE ONE
ITS A MUST SEE