Beyond Goodbye is a Japanese romantic drama series that premiered on Netflix on November 14, 2024. It quickly gained attention for its plot and relatable characters. Directed by Hiroshi Kurosawa and produced by Takashi Yamamoto, the series is set against the breathtaking backdrops of Hokkaido and Hawaii.
The story follows Saeko Sugawara (played by Kasumi Arimura), whose life takes a tragic turn when her fiance, Yusuke, dies in a car accident on the day he plans to propose. Meanwhile, Kazuma Naruse (Kentaro Sakaguchi), a heart transplant recipient, begins to experience memories that don’t feel like his own.
These memories lead him to Saeko, which ties the two characters together in an unexpected and emotional journey. Beyond Goodbye is available exclusively on Netflix, and all eight episodes were released simultaneously, allowing viewers to binge-watch the entire season.
Every song in Beyond Goodbye season 1
The series features an original soundtrack composed by Aska Matsumiya, known for her work on After Yang and Skate Kitchen. The soundtrack was released on November 11, 2024, by Netflix Music and includes the following 19 tracks:
- The First Time – 1:58
- Forbidden Love – 3:38
- Naruse and Miki – 3:50
- Life Without Yusuke – 2:43
- Love in the Rain – 2:44
- Hokkaido – 3:16
- Kokoro no Kizu – 4:36
- Saeko and Naruse (Mischief) – 2:50
- For Everything Real (featuring Kris Roche) – 3:36
- Saeko’s Sadness – 2:47
- Love in the Rain (Minor) – 2:32
- For Everything Real (Guitar Version) (featuring Kris Roche) – 2:36
- Naruse and Miki (Sad) – 1:49
- Sayonara no Tsuzuki – 4:30
- Tension, Heart Beat (featuring Cali Wang) – 1:44
- Saeko and Naruse (Piano) – 2:30
- Torn Between Two – 3:56
- The Letters – 3:21
- Metamorphosis – 5:53
Where to watch Beyond Goodbye season 1
The series is available exclusively on Netflix, making it accessible to viewers worldwide. However, Netflix is a subscription platform, so here are the current plans:
1) Standard with Ads: $6.99/month – Full HD (1080p) with ads, no downloads.
2) Standard: $15.49/month – Full HD (1080p), ad-free, and supports offline downloads.
3) Premium: $22.99/month – Ultra HD (4K) with HDR, Netflix spatial audio, and supports up to four devices.
What is Beyond Goodbye season 1 about?
The series begins with Saeko Sugawara (played by Kasumi Arimura) on the happiest day of her life—her fiance, Yusuke, is about to propose to her. However, their plans take a tragic turn when Yusuke dies in a car accident on the same day. This devastating event shatters Saeko’s world, leaving her grieving and struggling to move on.
Meanwhile, Kazuma Naruse (Kentarô Sakaguchi) undergoes a life-saving heart transplant. The donor turns out to be Yusuke. After the surgery, Kazuma starts experiencing memories and emotions that don’t seem to belong to him.
He picks up strange habits, like humming a tune Saeko used to sing with Yusuke and craving foods he’s never liked before. Intrigued and confused, Kazuma eventually crosses paths with Saeko, and the two realize there’s a deeper connection between them, tied to Yusuke’s heart.
As they go through the complicated feelings, Kazuma and Saeko get closer, but it’s not just about romance. Saeko struggles to reconcile her love for Yusuke with the emotions she’s developing for Kazuma. Meanwhile, Kazuma questions whether his feelings for Saeko are truly his or just remnants of Yusuke’s life.
The series also delves into the dynamics between Kazuma and his wife, Miki, who becomes increasingly insecure and resentful of the bond Kazuma and Saeko share. The tension escalates until Miki confronts Saeko, revealing Kazuma’s deteriorating health.
The season ends on a bittersweet note, with Kazuma succumbing to heart complications. Saeko finds closure in their shared memories and begins to heal, embracing life while cherishing her lost love.
Beyond Goodbye season 1 is available on Netflix.