Ok Taecyeon is stepping into the ring with a new acting challenge, confirmed to star in the upcoming Japanese Netflix series Soul Mate.
According to his agency, 51K, Ok Taecyeon will portray Hwang Johan, a Korean boxer, in Soul Mate, set to air next year. Soul Mate follows the journey of Ryu (Hayato Isomura), who, after abandoning everything in Japan, is saved by Yohan in a foreign land. The series, written and directed by the emerging talent Shunki Hashizume (Scroll, More Than Words), will traverse the cities of Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo over a decade, exploring themes of healing and comfort through the bond between the two men.
With Hayato Isomura, who has showcased his acting skills in films such as Extremely Inappropriate! and The Moon, joining Ok Taecyeon, there is growing curiosity about the chemistry the two actors will bring to the screen. Following his appearance in the Japanese film La Grande Maison Paris, Ok Taecyeon’s involvement in Soul Mate, marking his first venture into a Japanese Netflix original, signifies his relentless global activities, making this project even more significant.
In this project, Ok Taecyeon plays Hwang Johan, a Korean boxer burdened by past wounds. Through his encounter with Ryu, Johan gradually discovers the meaning of love and life.
Ok Taecyeon expressed his excitement about the role: “I am thrilled to be part of ‘Soul Mate.’ There are many characters and genres I haven’t explored yet, and when I received the offer for this series, I was immediately drawn to Hwang Johan.” He continued, “His inner struggles and pain stayed with me long after I read the script. To prepare, I lost weight and underwent boxing training, and I’ve continued to train diligently during filming to portray Johan as best as I can.”
Isomura also shared his enthusiasm: “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. 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.”
Soul Mate is set for an exclusive global release on Netflix in 2025.
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