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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.

 
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. [ Download ]

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Mon Murmure – “Jazz Cocktail.” This gives you an idea of the playful nature the show sometimes adopts. [ Download ]

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Lasse Lindh – “The Stuff” [ Download ]

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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, Philip Choi

 

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.

 
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.

 
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, Philip, for five years. She loves Philip and has a content life, but her love has never been challenged, until Philip 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.

 
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS:

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.

PHILIP 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…

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, Philip, as cute and interesting. She knows he’s been dating a girl in a serious relationship, but she comes on to Philip 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.

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!).

 
* This series 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.

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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.

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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.

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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: [email protected]

please e-mail for the support of SEASON 2---

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OMG
I JUS FINISH WATCHING SOULMATE
I CANT BELIEVE PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS DRAMA
IT MY FAVORITE ONE
ITS A MUST SEE

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i love this series!!!

season2.season2.season2.season2

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I like this series. The songs are nice, but I prefer the Coffee Prince type of music - my personal taste. Whilst I am no Korean, I really love listening to the Korean songs, esp. when I can associate them to the lovely heart-warming and heart-fluttering scenes.

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it is super cute story.. but I want ot know the ending.. will tehy meet in Japan.. pls there must be Part 2.. I'm from Philippines.. & the story touches my heart..

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I just finished watching this a couple of days ago. What I really loved about it was the way they did the whole build-up to the moment these two people actually met. It was such a MOMENT when it happened.

What can I say... Loved it! And I kind of liked the ending as well. Because of course they are meant to meet again...

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hi dramabeans!

So far i enjoyed 3 of your recommendations. Actually 2 cuz i am a fan of Cha Tae Hyun (Flowers for my life) and would watch whatever show he's in. But I loved Coffee Prince, i even downloaded the novel. Thank You! Salamat !
And Soulmate. Frankly I wasnt really wild about it. It took me 3 times to start and restart watching it. But when i had gone passed ep4, I started liking it. And finished the whole dvd in one day. (eye bags galore!) I watched it cuz you had recommended it and i trust your taste. One thing is sure, its got a better soundtrack than Coffee Prince.

To complete my day, where can i download the ost? I wanted the one they were listening to in the park and in the bench where they first met.

Thanks and looking forward to more of your work.

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i loved this drama

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For some reason, no ones really heard about soulmate its so underrated! I'm so dissapointed for no season two!! I really had my hopes up for nothing.. but I really enjoyed every single episode on this drama. I love how it defines everything about relationships.. and the humor in it o my.

Btw, i do recommend for everyone to dl the OST for this drama. I don't remember where i dl the OST but i do know a website that has all the songs from the drama,

http://asiandramaddict.wordpress.com/ost-or-featured-songs-in-a-series/

C’mon Through - Lasse Lindh, i think that was the song during the bench scene.

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Hi, i just want to say a big thank you for your reccomendation on this series. For some reason, it's not a mega hit and I couldnt for the life of me find it in any of the video shops here. Thank god for people who upload and of cos TRANSLATE for us. Much much kudos for that. I really enjoyed this series for it's take on romance, excellent acting, right mix of humour and romance and of course the supremely awesome soundtrack. :)

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Just finished watching. Thanks so much for the recommendation! Fantastically fun...

I did notice that the last episode was different from the others. Different director? writer?

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It's SUCH a shame how underrated this drama is. It's funny, but also angsty...it has everything. The storyline, the dialogues, the characters were so refreshing. I loved it to bits!

I don't know how I feel about the ending, though. I have mixed feelings about it. I mean, everyone can imagine whatever they want, and ok, that's good, but I absolutely disliked what they did to Yu-jin. I get that Shin Dong-Wook and Lee Soo-kyung were destined to be together, but it sucked so much to see Yu-jin in so much pain (can you guess she's my fave character?).

Anywya, that said, this is one of my fave dramas of all times. It's just like you said, Javabeans. Even if the premise can make people groan in frustration or roll their eyes, the topic of love and soulmates was handled very well. The drama is not cheesy, mushy or trite. It was, as I said, refreshing. Thanks for reccing this. I'm going to turn to your post with the drama ratings to choose my next kdrama *g* Thank you so much for all the hard work you do for us.

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this is one of the best drama I've ever watch
good story,,
even my college who hates korean dramas loves this drama
beautiful ending,, or should I say awesome
this drama teach us a lot of things about love and destiny
simply but deep meaning

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didn't anyone think that hong yu-jin was extremely annoying???????

The soundtrack was awesome.
The main actress Lee Soo Kyung is unique as she is. Ohhh she's just being herself and having fun. Love her.
Shin Dong Wook looks too young to be 30 though. Nevertheless, he's funny.

But Hong Yu-Jin spoils it all with her accent that makes her look so fake.

Sorry but fakes are really annoying. REALLY annoying.

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I love the soundtrack very much much much :D

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I hated the end!! :( Every episode was so special, so cool, so funny, so romantic... That I expected more from final scenes..

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This is the BEST korean drama.....it's so FRESH!!!!!

All the other dramas(though interesting) basically all have the same storylines...watching them was like stuffing urself with greasy Mcdonald everyday...and soulmate was just a fresh cold sip of water on a hot day....or a fresh watermelon..so refreshing....it undid all the grease from the other dramas...the BEST!!!

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This drama is one of the best i've seen so far! It really leaves you hanging!
And Shin Dong-Wook is fine, he's grogeous!!! I hope there's more!! I really want to know whats gonna happen next!!! But then again, it was nice ending. hmmm
what great acting!! I really hope theres more!! Now, i really want to go to South Korea!!! And the characters were just perfect! ....hmmm i wonder what happened to Phillip....

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I just finished soulmate and I loved it as well. Loved the music (!!!), the unveiling of the story, the actors, Dong Wook... I found it interesting that most of the characters used the actors' names. The manager character was hilarious but I too found her voice annoying at times. I rather liked the ending because it was atypical to korean dramas. Overall, the story was more realistic and I liked how all the characters were endearing, flawed people without any real villains. My only question - when will the season two come out?

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Have seen this drama last year, and its definitely underrated. I know how much you love this drama, JB, as much as we do.

Are you going to recap it and do your summary? Because I really want to read it as well. Or would you do it after Return of Iljimae? (I know you've abandoned RoI long enough because of BbF. lol. Or are you also going to cover Story of a Man as well?) Either way, I would wait for your Soulmate recaps. (Oh, but please don't abandon RoI anymore. He's such a good kid to be left alone anyway, right? He doesn't deserve it.)

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I really do agree with above as well, I just discovered it and I'm just as willing to wait if you ever do your Soulmate recaps ;), I absolutely love it so far.

^Looking at some of the comments, WILL there really be a second season?

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Hi Javabeans,
Thanks to your recommendation, I came to know this drama and watched it with joy.
If my memory serves me right, you recapped the last 2 episodes of Soulmate but now I can't find any. You know, I really enjoy your review and recap ^^ I still remember how I held myself back, tried not to read the whole thing in advance just to view the drama without any prejudice or under no impression :")
However, it's just a way of saving the best for the last, and after I finished the drama, I now want to read your wrap-up on the show so much.
So if you deleted the recap, would you please re-post it? just because it's such an amazing one =D
Thnx so much for all the things you have done so far =D

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hello^^
thank you for the series over view.
i kinda expected while i was reading over it, tha i'd be presented with endless interviews and things with an occasion 'smart' joke. or something.

instead i was presented with something so much resembling an actual drama that i wouldn't have been able to tell the diffrerence from one if it wasn't for the confusing 'overlayers'.

all in all, i really liked this drama/sitcom (considerably more than i'd had thought) but i got confused near the end. (ep 11?)

did i miss an episode or does it actually show a scenario at the beginning of the 'episode' then goes back and replays everything that happened before?
megaupload's limit is preventing me from watching the rest of the episode all the time so now i'm really confused><

thank you for reading^^

==

also, do you have a page where you have all your blog toppers (you know that huge image up at the top? the one that changes with each new tab i open? yeah^^ that^^) and the dramas they are asssociated with?

i'm not too good at remebering names but stories stay in my head for years to come. and the more i watch, the more i start to notice faces (still not yet names^^;;) and of course their acting^^

if you do, please sned me the link. most of the pictures are really done and prompt me to go take a look into the drama-problem is, i don't know which drama it is^^;;

thank you for reading^^

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I cannot express how much I like this drama.

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I just finished watching this drama in 3 days working and having a full schedule. Despite staying up late, I am glad I was able to watch it on Dramafever. Wow amazing! The OST and Drama is DEFINITELY on my top 5 list. Amazing! Thanks for recommendation, I find you have great taste in dramas and music! Keep up the good work. I am highly appreciative of your website and I have been visiting faithfully since I discovered it 3 years ago while surfing for Coffee Prince stuff.

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i enjoyed this drama a lot, well,. mostly for shin dong wook. but it was a drama i could watch right to the end. the music used was great and i liked how it was mostly english since i do not understand korean. i'm really upset how there's no season two as i really wanna see sookyung and dongwook together.

i disliked sakang/yujin, she annoyed me a lot. i have not much tolerance for silly characters.

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I just finished watching this show and I loved IT!! Aww Man. I would really love for there to be a season 2, but if there is not, i am completely fine with the way it ended.

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yep- no season 2, but if you get the dvd you can see how it was suppossed to end. Alternatively look on youtube and you can find the other ending.

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that's a great drama chinchaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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I came across this drama, thinking that it would be just an average drama. But turns out, it was quite good. Very heart wrenching, and moving. I can watch it over and over and still not get tired of it. Im glad that i watched it. I hope that there will be a second season, but if not, we know what will happen. Such a great movie. Yes. CHaoo

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I love it totally.. well soulmate is not just one person.. I mean all the friends we made and met is one of them.. The term soulmate is not just for one person who you end up marrying. friends are also consider as soul mate... And I believe that if you found every soul mate then your surroundings is lucky fun.. yes there is one for every individual but not all soulmates you met is for you.. so be careful on giving the biggest part of your heart.. ^_^

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Thanks so much for putting this site together. I've been slowly going through all your highly rated dramas and so far all your reviews have been spot on! Thanks for opening up a whole new world for a non-korean like me.

As everyone else has written, am sad Season 2 is not in the works, the ending left me wanting more!

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for all of the soulmate fans..
lets send a message to the MBC.. haha.. i just send it..
i really2 want they will make the 2nd season.. hauhaua.. great story!!

http://caption.imbc.com/eng/qna/qnawrite.aspx

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I finally took time to watch this series after all the good comments about it. I watched in two days. I liked it very much and agree on most of the comments, I also got a crush on Shin Dong Wook. This has motivated me to start watching War of Money. I hope to see SDW soon in a more recent drama.

As per soumates, if one believes in reincarnation, there may be more than one soulmate in one's life. It may be that you may have shared more than one lifetime as lovers/spouses/friends or even relatives, and you may even meet more than one in this lifetime. When we think of a soulmate, we assume that he/she will be the "One and only" that will best love and understand us, but that doesn't always translate into marriage and a lifetime together. You may end up parting and marrying someone else.

Nevertheless, this is a romantic series with the impausability of one reading the others mind and sharing the same emotions, but it's always nice to dream and wish.

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this drama's wonderful :)
i really felt the tug on my heart whenever i see how their paths actually cross each other's yet they are unaware! throughout the show, it felt like a dream yet still so realistic..
i felt very touched (:

i really like watching dramas (: i think i've started to realise things in my life too, though not exactly what is shown in dramas.. somehow i have a very special feeling towards dramas which i have no idea why!

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waiting for a second season =(...........
please

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Just finished watching Soulmate, little bit bored in the first 5 episodes, but addicted for the rest... As a number one fan of a 'happily ever after' ending, the final episode make me hanging and dying for more.... *sigh*

Truly wish that there'll be 2nd season, but it's been 3 years and no news at all about the sequence, so I should giving up the hope... :(

In a real life, I would definitely resent the type of Soo Kyung - Dong Wook couple, but who could resist your other half?? great story & chemistry. I'm falling for Shin Dong Wook and wishing to see more of his works...

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I found this by chance looking for something "different" and got drawn by the title. I had never seen the main actor before (now he's in Catch A Falling Star) and the female lead I'd seen in Loving You A Thousand Times....they are both very well cast together and do a great job in making the viewer believe in fate and soulmates.

I loved the ending.....giving me the feeling that they would find each other once again because it was all about fate.

It would be nice to have a 2nd season....but what else can you add to it except more of the other couples? It should be left as it is!

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Hi, JavaBeans...

Seriously, I watched this series, because of your ratings, hahaha...
And you are definitely, truly correct.
I am hooked up with it....

Eventhough the title is cheesy, but the storyline is amazing...

I also wish for the 2nd season....

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I enjoyed this movie ..
It makes me feel the sweet taste of love
Although the film ends very short .. I look forward to the second part
Lee Soo Kyeong and Shin Dong Wook look like a pair of real life
if so then I am very happy
..Love it!!!

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I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! Why oh why did it take me this long to find this one! I absolutely love it and will go for seconds watching it :D

I love the main characters Lee Soo Kyeong and Shin Dong Wook. I hope to see them in another series that is as well written and directed as SOULMATE. I can't get enough of these two people in this series, I want to see more of them together.

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hi,
heard so much about this drama. where can i catch it please with eng subs?

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i can't believe this drama just finish like that...
i really hope they make season 2!
it made me believe that SOULMATE exist!

waiting for season 2..... will always waiting for season 2...
waiting
waiting
waiting
!!!!! ^o^

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i'm very curious and interested about this drama...how i wish that i'll be able to find a copy of it in video stores here in Philippines,..honestly...i'm loving it even i haven't watching it yet...i promise to myself to find it as hard as i can...to some of the fans who loved it can you please upload the whole series in youtube with subtitles? please...

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One of my most favorite dramas. Soulmate is so unique.

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Honestly, I'm a bit of a sceptic, so I didn't really believe you're comments about "Soulmate's" awesomeness, and I only watched it on a whim. Damn, were all my previous expectations not shattered, but fucking beaten to death. It's such an amazing show! My heart hasn't pounded that much in a long time. I love how the main female lead ( LEE SOO-KYUNG ) is realistic and, while not average, she isn't like all the other female protagonists in dramas that are martyrs. Again, an amazing show. Thank you so much for recommending it!

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*sigh* i loved this series. i watched it obsessively and now i'm sad it's oveer :(
i think shin dong-wook is soooo attractive by the way, i'm going to watch wish upon a star to see his hunkyness except i don't think he gets the girl in that one. OH NO my poor dong-wook!!! lol

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Can anyone recommend any dramas that are similar to this? A bit more mature in terms of content than most k-dramas and/or quirky? And a good soundtrack wouldn't hurt either. ;)

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