Soulmate – Series Review

James and Sky are university students and roommates, currently in a relationship. The two young men have planned a weekend staycation at James' old family home. They look forward to spending time together on a romantic getaway.

Sky is surprised to learn he lives near his boyfriend's old house. They went to different schools but grew up in the same neighbourhood. However, they haven't met until university. James teases his boyfriend for thinking their relationship is an act of destiny.

During their alone time, James flirts with his boyfriend and wants to get affectionate with him. However, the couple is surprised when a visitor shows up unannounced. James' mom has arrived, thinking that her son might have brought a girl to the house. Instead, she meets Sky, the son of her best friend.

Later, the three of them have dinner together. James' mom teases her son to find a partner because she wants a grandchild. Unlike his boyfriend, James is not out to his mother. He doesn't think she would react positively to her son dating another guy. However, James' mom is highly observant. She has started picking up clues that her son's "friendship" with Sky is not what it seems.

Soulmate feels less like a BL drama and more like a coming-out story. While there are several flirty interactions in the series, the central event explores the main character's dynamic with his mom. The romance feels secondary and the other lead is almost relegated to a supporting role. Nevertheless, I'm always down for a sentimental LGBT experience, so I was on board with this storyline. Unfortunately, I don't think Soulmate executes the plot well enough.

My standards are probably pickier because I've watched countless gay coming-out tales in movies, TV shows, and documentaries. However, Soulmate doesn't measure up to the best iterations from this category. The relationship between James and his mom lacks depth. I have no attachment to her character and barely know anything about this important figure in James' life. Maybe the series would work better if we met the mother earlier, becoming more acquainted with her from additional scenes.

I have criticisms over the acting. Since the coming-out scene is where the series climaxes, the performances need to be spot-on for the occasion. Yet, James' actor (Game) was ridiculously overwrought, hamming it up way too much. His distressed reaction looked uncomfortable and unnatural, diminishing the emotional impact tremendously. The actor seemed pretty solid in Roommate and other lighthearted moments, but this dramatic setting exposed his limited range. He'd benefit from showing more restraint and dialling it down on the theatrics.

Sky's actor (Golf) is fine, though his character gets sidelined and doesn't have much to do. He's only relevant when the leads flirt every once in a while. Their amorous exchanges can be either cute or cringey, depending on your tolerance levels. Just like last season, many relationship moments are condensed into a quick, nondescript montage. The technique is kinda annoying because I want to watch the actual scenes instead. On a positive note, Soulmate feels more romantic than Roommate, showcasing physical affection and emotional intimacy between the couple.

Soulmate has significantly improved production values compared to its predecessor. You can easily spot the difference in aesthetics, giving this series a clean and glossy appearance. There's a clear investment in professional staff and equipment, which shows in the final output. While the camerawork still feels a bit elementary, I commend the small studio for making an effort to polish their product. The plain visuals were one of the weaknesses in Roommate. Now, the enriched cinematography turns into a strength for the sequel.

Soulmate almost gets its ending right. Notably, a dodgy moment involving James' mom causes me to dock points from my review. Otherwise, I'm content with the delightful and decisive conclusion, offering suitable closure. I appreciate the positive message behind this drama, which highlights an ordinary gay couple and promotes sentimental themes about love. However, I find the storytelling and acting performances somewhat lacklustre. Overall, Soulmate is an okay BL sequel that doesn't amaze me, and I enjoyed it a little less than Roommate.

Summary