Beyond Goodbye Review: A Tender Love Story With A Tough Moral Twist

As soon as I saw the trailer for Beyond Goodbye, I knew I was going to enjoy the show, and I did! With such a talented cast, it was only natural for the show to be truly heart-warming despite its complex plot. The poster may seem funny at first, but when you understand the storyline, it makes perfect sense. That said, before you dive deeper into the show, let me warn you: it is a romantic show, but it’s not your typical romance. Makes sense? The thing with this show is that the story unfolds in layers, gradually adding emotional complexities to the lives of the leads. More than once, I found myself wondering where it was headed. But trust me, it delivers a satisfying ending. The main characters ultimately make the right choices, even when those choices are tough, and that’s what I loved most about this drama.

Beyond Goodbye/ Sayonara no Tsuzuki (2024) (8 Episodes)

Saeko Sugawara (Kasumi Arimura) and her boyfriend Yusuke Nakamachi (Toma Ikuta) are deeply in love and on their way to a secret destination, unknown to Saeko. However, when she presses him for the location, Yusuke accidentally reveals that they are heading beyond the mountains, where he plans to propose. He immediately regrets spoiling the surprise, but Saeko is thrilled to learn about the proposal. Before they can reach their destination, the bus they are traveling in meets with an accident. Saeko survives, but Yusuke does not.

Saeko then lives her life clinging to the memories of Yusuke and their time spent together. One day, she meets a handsome stranger, Kazumasa Naruse (Kentaro Sakaguchi), who speaks to her in a way that uncannily resembles Yusuke. She is instantly drawn to him, as he evokes memories of her lost love. What Saeko does not know is that the attraction is mutual. Naruse, too, feels an undeniable affection for her and becomes confused by the growing emotions. Unbeknownst to both of them, Naruse had received a heart transplant from Yusuke, explaining why he feels the same affection for the people Yusuke once loved. Despite their shared feelings, the two find themselves unable to be together because of circumstances that are beyond their control.

I Enjoyed Watching ‘Beyond Goodbye’ because,

… it oozes love. Within the first three episodes, we understand the existing circumstances of Saeko and Naruse and catch a glimpse of the complications threatening their friendship and possible romance. But once Saeko and Naruse meet, they keep crossing paths, and their bond feels so fresh and genuine that you can’t help but root for them.

Like any true romantic drama, Beyond Goodbye serves all the heart-warming moments you would hope for, starting with Yusuke and Saeko. Yusuke is a vibrant character: cheerful, energetic, and a hopeless romantic. He spares no effort in expressing his love for Saeko, sweeping her off her feet with loving gestures that make her fall madly for him. Essentially, Yusuke is the kind of guy girls dream about in their teens.

I felt actor Toma Ikuta was the perfect fit for Yusuke. I loved him as the goofy Nakatsu in Hana Kimi, and he was just as compelling as the lovable Yusuke. In fact, his portrayal reminded me a lot of Nakatsu. Yusuke doesn’t hesitate to make a fool of himself if it means bringing a smile to Saeko’s face. His devotion to Saeko makes him an endearing character, so it’s no wonder her heart shatters when she loses him.

After Yusuke passes away, Naruse enters Saeko’s life, and from here we receive generous doses of pure love and romance. Naruse is a young man who has had a difficult life battling health issues. An introvert who rarely socializes because of his heart condition, his personality takes a complete turn when he receives Yusuke’s heart, as he becomes fun-loving and exuberant. Upon accidentally meeting Saeko, he is instantly drawn to her. He experiences flashes of the past where he sees Saeko smiling, making her seem familiar. He develops the same affection Yusuke had for her, and despite having a life of his own, he can’t help but want to be part of Saeko’s world as well.

With Naruse and Saeko, the main story begins, bringing many swoony and tender moments, like the first time Naruse feels something for Saeko.

There’s a scene where they’re alone in a picturesque meadow, and Saeko feels Yusuke’s heart beating inside Naruse’s chest.

Then comes a heart-melting hug, followed by, ahem… a truly intimate moment.

The show delivers romance in subtle and meaningful ways that will make any romantic’s heart flutter. Also, the cinematography is beyond beautiful. Filmed in lush green uplands and snowy mountains, the scenery gives the show a dreamy atmosphere. The camera sweeps across vast landscapes and captures intimate moments with such fluid motion that every frame becomes breathtaking.

Actor Kentaro Sakaguchi gives a quietly strong performance, really bringing out the emotional layers of Naruse’s journey with a lot of subtlety and heart. Kazumasa Naruse is a man who has lived a restricted life due to his health, but after receiving a new lease on life, he transforms to a great extent.

Sakaguchi’s ability to express internal conflict without melodrama adds authenticity to Naruse’s struggle with identity and connection. His chemistry with Kasumi Arimura is effortlessly portrayed with restraint and a palpable attraction. There are a few things wrong with this show, but the leads are so good that you are likely to overlook the flaws. 

 

The story largely revolves around Saeko, and Kasumi Arimura’s portrayal of her captures a delicate balance between grief, hope, and the complexities of unexpected connections. Saeko is mourning the loss of her beloved Yusuke but hides her pain behind a cheerful exterior. Her surreal encounter with Naruse reveals her vulnerability, seen when she is unable to keep herself away from him. Kasumi plays Saeko with a lot of subtle emotion and calm energy, which makes her feel real and easy to connect with as a lead.

 

 

I Did NOT LIKE ‘Beyond Goodbye’ because…

…the premise made no sense to me. I understand that it’s a work of fiction and we’re not supposed to overanalyze everything, but some parts were just too far-fetched to overlook. The idea of someone receiving a heart transplant and falling for the same person as the donor isn’t exactly new; it’s been done even in Bollywood movies like Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha and Hello Brother (anyone remember those?).

But what’s odd here is that Naruse somehow ends up absorbing Yusuke’s memories. 😐 Strange, right? First, he suddenly develops a love for coffee, just like Yusuke. Then his personality shifts, and he starts talking and acting like the cheerful, goofy guy Yusuke was. Eventually, he begins seeing flashes of Saeko and recalling moments that only Yusuke should remember.

I know, it’s a show, and suspension of disbelief is part of the deal, but this felt waaaay too much. There’s even a scene where Naruse meets Yusuke’s best friend Kengo, and when Kengo asks if he remembers him, Naruse actually says yes. Wait… what? If Yusuke’s heart was storing all his memories, then what exactly was his brain doing? Probably off somewhere sipping the same coffee Yusuke loved so much.

However, this was just a small problem I had with the show. The actual issue I had is much bigger and something that spoiled my experience. I cannot share it without spoilers, so if you do not mind spoilers, then head to the bottom of this review.

 

I give ‘Beyond Goodbye’ a 3.5 out of 5 rating. On a cozy winter evening or a dull rainy day, when you feel like watching an unusual, sappy romance, this show could be your comfy watch. Count on the actors to make the show worth binge-watching. The pleasing aesthetic visuals and soothing music can give you the warm feeling you need in this weather. 

 

Image Courtesy: Telepack

Screengrabs: Netflix

 

 

Spoiler Section

One of the biggest reasons I did not fully enjoy ‘Beyond Goodbye’ is…

…I don’t know if the show was already promoted with a fourth character, but it came as a surprise to me because I did not notice it in the trailer. And this fourth character is Miki Naruse, as in Kazumasa Naruse’s wife!

When the show began, I was genuinely happy thinking that even though Yusuke was gone, Saeko would find him again through Naruse. But the moment this one detail was revealed, my heart sank because I’m not really a fan of stories that tread into infidelity.

Now, if Naruse had just been engaged or in a casual relationship, that would’ve still been a red flag, but maybe, just maybe, I’d have let it slide. But falling in love outside of marriage? That’s where I draw the line. If his marriage was falling apart or his wife had been portrayed as a terrible person, I could have understood his attraction to Saeko. But Miki? She was nothing but kind. She stood by her husband during his lowest moments, and just when he is been given a second chance at life, he decides to chase another woman? That hit hard.

Imagine what Miki must be going through. The character did not get much screen time, probably because the writers wanted to keep the spotlight on Naruse and Saeko, but in the brief scenes Miki had, she conveyed her pain so well. You could tell she loved her husband deeply and tolerated his emotional drift just to see him happy. She knew how much he had suffered all his life and did not want to see him sad again, even if it meant breaking her own heart. There’s even an intimate moment between Naruse and Saeko where the camera lingers on his wedding band. On one hand, you’re rooting for this new love story, and on the other, you’re reminded that he’s still married. It creates such a moral dilemma for the viewer. Not fun.

I did try to understand Naruse’s perspective. He has spent his entire life living cautiously, almost like he was wrapped in bubble wrap because of his heart condition. Now that he finally has a chance at a fuller life, he wants to explore stuff he has missed out on. In a flashback scene, we see that it was Miki who asked him out, and he clearly wasn’t head-over-heels for her, but still married her because she seemed like a good person. But after getting Yusuke’s heart, it’s probably the first time he feels such intense emotions for someone, and he wants to follow that, quite literally, with his heart. 🙂

I get all that. I really do. But still, leaving your wife behind to pursue someone else? That’s a hard pill to swallow.

 

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