K-pop star Ok Taec-yeon has teamed up with Japanese actor Hayato Isomura for Netflix BL romance series Soulmate, confirmed the streamer on its official Instagram handle with a poster of the duo on Friday.

The poster shared by Netflix Japan showcases both the actors sitting beside each other, seemingly lost in their thoughts while gazing afar. “Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo. A story of soul and love that two young men walked together over the course of 10 years. Don’t miss it!!! #Netflix #soulmate,” the streaming platform captioned the poster.

Set in Seoul, Berlin, and Tokyo, Soulmate follows two men falling in love over a course of 10 years. Ok Taec-yeon plays Johan, a well-known boxer who rescues Hayato Isomura’s Ryu when the latter seeks help in a foreign land.

Known for his role in the Netflix series Alice in the Borderland, Hayato expressed his excitement about Soulmate. “The script moved me with its story of love amidst sadness and pain, and the incredible 10-year story arc crafted by director Hashizume has truly immersed me in the character,” he said.

The Japanese star also shared his experience of working with Taec-yeon, who is a member of the South Korean boy band 2PM. “Working with Ok Taec-yeon has been inspiring; his charm draws me in more each day. Filming in Japan, Korea, and Germany gives the project a truly global feel,” he added.

Viewing it as a chance to expand his acting range and delve into fresh character roles, Taec-yeon quickly became captivated by the opportunity. "The character of Johan Hwang fascinated me, and his internal conflicts and suffering resonated with me long after reading the script. To prepare, I underwent weight loss and rigorous boxing training, maintaining my dedication throughout filming to portray Johan authentically."

Written and directed by Hashizume Shunki, the narrative concept of Soulmate originated from a coffee conversation between the director and executive producer Dai Ota, prompting them to choose the title Soulmate early in the development process. “We arrived at the ultimate destiny story, where people from different cultures and backgrounds meet in a foreign land and their lives intersect,” said Ota.