Beyond Goodbye is an original Japanese drama series starring Kasumi Arimura and Kentaro Sakaguchi that tells the poignant story of a woman grappling with the loss of her fiancé in a tragic accident and the man whose life he saved. This emotional tale weaves a beautiful yet heartbreaking romance between two individuals brought together by fate. Their journey unfolds with a bittersweet “goodbye,” exploring themes of love, loss, and healing. Beyond Goodbye is available to stream on Netflix.
Beyond Goodbye K-drama Recap
Episode 1 ‘Beyond a Proposal’
The first episode of Beyond Goodbye begins with a sweet couple on the back of the bus talking about their trip. Yusuke (Toma Ikuta) has planned to propose to his girlfriend Saeko (Kasumi Arimura) and heads to the snowy mountains of Hokkaido for this special moment. She keeps asking where they are going, and Yusuke mistakenly reveals that they’re going somewhere where he always dreamt of proposing to her. Saeko is surprised but says yes to his proposal before they even reach the top of the mountain. Yusuke is over the moon and asks his friends to set off the fireworks that he had planned.
Everything seems perfect for the couple until their lives take an unexpected turn when an avalanche hits their bus, sending them tumbling down the cliffside. Saeko and Yusuke are saved by the rescue workers and taken to the hospital. While Saeko survives the accident, Yusuke dies in the middle of the surgery. As per his wishes, Yusuke’s heart is donated. When Saeko receives the heartbreaking news of his boyfriend, she breaks down.
After her recovery, a grieving Saeko walks through the snow, and the scene shifts from winter to spring. Saeko sips a cup of warm coffee while wearing Yusuke’s ring around her neck. She gets a letter from the person who received Yusuke’s heart, expressing his deepest gratitude, but she doesn’t know how to reply.
Saeko keeps herself buried in the work at the coffee factory alongside a coffee connoisseur, Shinoda (Issey Ogata), but she doesn’t stay there for long. She takes a business trip to Hawaii to meet a man named Hiro (Tomokazu Miura), who specifically requested to meet her. Hiro, having heard about Yusuke, invites her, thinking the fresh air and change of scenery will help her out of the misery.
Saeko and Hiro share a long history, and the scene changes to four years back when they first met. At that time, Hiro was mourning the loss of his wife and had no interest in getting involved with her or the coffee company. It was during this period that Saeko and Yusuke first crossed paths at the airport.
Yusuke, a talented pianist, caught Saeko’s attention, and they ended up having coffee together. His lighthearted, free-spirited nature inspired Saeko to approach Hiro and persuade him. Saeko eventually quit her job to work with Hiro, and Yusuke also offered his help. Saeko and Yusuke grew close as they laughed, joked, and discussed their future. Before Saeko had to leave, she promised that if they met again, they’d become boyfriend and girlfriend. Later, fate brings them back together, and Saeko is overcome with emotion, regretting that she had left him back then.
In the present, as Saeko reminisces about their moments together, she shouts, “It’s boring in this life without you!” At the airport, a curious incident catches her attention—a man begins playing the piano. Filled with hope, she turns back and runs towards him, but the man is not Yusuke.
Episode 2 ‘Beyond Life’
Episode 2 of Beyond Goodbye begins at the Otaru General Hospital, the same fateful night when Yasuke lost his life in the avalanche. We finally meet Kazumasa (Kentaro Sakaguchi), the man who received Yusuke’s heart. Kazumasa is not sure if he will survive till the summer, but his partner, Miki (Yuri Nakamura) is hopeful and optimistic that some miracle might save him. It seems Kazumasa has some heart issues and needs a heart donor to survive.
Miki seems cheerful around Kazumasa, but she struggles to hold it together and privately cries in her car. Later that night, Kazumasa receives another chance at life when a heart donation comes up. And of course, it’s Yusuke’s heart. Miki believes that it is God’s sign that he should live. During the surgery, a set of images flash by, and it seems like Yusuke’s memories are somehow transferred to Kazumasa. It’s almost spring, and Kazumasa returns home with Miki after a successful operation, feeling lighter and more alive than before.
Kazumasa sees himself changing, like suddenly loving the coffee that he didn’t enjoy before. That night he confides in Miki that his body hasn’t fully accepted his new heart, and he feels as if there’s someone else inside him. Yet he is grateful for the heart, plans a trip with Miki, and even dreams of having kids one day. Miki and Kazumasa fly to Hawaii for a vacation.
At the airport, Kazumasa sees the piano and instinctively plays the same song Yusuke used to play. Saeko hears it and tries to find the man playing it, but Kazumasa leaves before they can meet. Kazumasa returns to his work at the school and dives into his job with passion. When he hears that students want to build a new cafe in the school, he approves the idea enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, Saeko visits Maaru cafe to deliver the coffee beans. This is the same coffee shop where she met Yusuke for the second time, and they got into a relationship. She talks with Kengo (Eita Okuno), the owner of the cafe and Yusuke’s best friend. They both express how Yusuke’s death has left a hole in their hearts. Saeko mentions the airport incident, where she mistakenly thought it was Yusuke playing the piano. She also confides in him about a thank-you letter from the person who got Yusuke’s heart. Touched by his kind words, she thinks that person has a good heart and eventually writes back to him, expressing how much the letter means to her.
While Kazumasa is reading Saeko’s letter on the train, she happens to be on the same train, both unaware of each other’s presence. The train unexpectedly breaks down, and Kazumasa decides to brew some coffee for everyone. Saeko offers to help him, and as they talk, she starts to take an interest in Kazumasa since his thoughts on life are similar to Yusuke’s. Suddenly, flashes of Yusuke’s life bleed through, showing moments of Saeko and Yusuke together, which startles Kazumasa.
Episode 3 ‘Beyond Memories’
The third episode of Beyond Goodbye starts with Kazumasa offering coffee to everyone, which helps calm them down. Kazumasa and Saeko take a moment to admire the beauty of the surroundings as they sip their coffee together. Kazumasa is suspicious that they have met before, but Saeko thinks he’s flirting and returns on the train. She ignores him and throws herself back into the work. At the coffee factory, the team works on creating a new coffee brand, and Shinoda likes what Saeko has come up with.
Saeko visits Kengo at the coffee shop and shares her thoughts about Kazumasa, mentioning how his observations felt eerily similar to Yusuke’s. She worries and regrets that she may have been too harsh on him. Meanwhile, Kazumasa returns home and becomes unusually obsessed with his coffee machine. Miki notices changes in him and comments that he might start disliking the things he once loved (i.e. Miki). Kazumasa reassures her that it’s not true, and they laugh it off.
Saeko and Kengo watch old videos of Yuseke on a projector, reliving their memories together, which brings Kengo to tears. As a gesture of understanding the pain, Saeko shakes hands with Kengo as if to say, “Let’s move forward now.”
Kazumasa takes the school kids to an apple orchard where Miki works. Miki watches him running around and cheerfully playing with the kids. She reminisces about how they met for the first time, and even though she knew about his heart condition, she still chose to marry the quiet, introverted man he was. Now, seeing this cheerful version of him, she wonders if he is still the same person she fell in love with.
Later on the train, Saeko apologizes to Kazumasa for being rude and properly introduces herself. They both share about their professions and bond over coffee. Before they go their separate ways, Saeko gives him some tips on how to brew the perfect coffee. Over time, they grow closer as they ride the same train daily. Kazumasa gives mischievous advice for her upcoming birthday and asks her to buy return gifts for her coworkers who are planning a surprise birthday party for her.
The next day, Miki brings Kazumasa to the orchard to help with some work. Meanwhile, it’s Saeko’s birthday, and both are uneasy about not seeing each other on the train. While riding in the car, Kazumasa gets a flashback of the moment when an avalanche hit the bus. He screams and suffers a panic attack in the car.
Saeko reflects on these same memories as she rides the train with teary eyes. Hiro calls, advising her to move on and fall in love again. He reassures her that she will be okay if she follows her heart. On the other hand, Kazumasa ends up in the hospital. He finally realizes that the memories and emotions he has been experiencing are coming from Yusuke’s heart. He is scared and confused about what’s going to happen to him.
Episode 4 ‘Beyond a Birthday’
Episode 4 of Beyond Goodbye takes us to the past, with Yusuke and Saeko talking in Kengo’s coffee shop on Saeko’s birthday. Yusuke is glad she came into his life and thinks the world is brighter and happier just having her exist.
In the present, Kazumasa apologizes to Saeko for not seeing her on her birthday. She accepts his apology, admitting that even she was bummed not to see him the other day. She also expresses that he reminds her of someone she fell in love with and apologizes for trying to get close to him. Saeko doesn’t want to fall for him, as he’s not even her type and he’s married as well. She contemplates changing trains to avoid meeting with each other but then settles for politely greeting instead.
Kazumasa finally shares to Miki that he’s got the memories in his head of the person who saved him by donating the heart. Miki cant fight back her tears because the man she loves has to live his life like this, in pain. later at the fireworks festival Miki wonders what if the donors heart is still in love with someone else and that crushes her even more.
Saeko and Kazumasa cross paths again and now it is in the school where a cafe is being transformed. There Saeko finds an old PROBAT coffee machine and asks Shinoda to come over to fix it. As they wait for him, Kazumasa asks her more about the person (Yusuke) she was in love with. before they could talk more, All excited shinoda comes running to see the machine and interrupts them.
Unfortunately, the typhoon is coming and all trains are stopped. That means Kazumasa has to stay in the school. He notices that Saeko is soaking outside in the rain and rushes out to find her. He holds her and brings her back to the school. As they dry themselves, Saeko notices a big scar on his chest. Kazumasa doesn’t know that she has seen it. Later on, they work together to feed the kids, brew coffee for them, and prepare them to sleep until the typhoon is passed. Meanwhile, Shinoda is still busy fixing the machine.
Miki is feeling worried and thinking about how her husband is doing. Meanwhile, he’s doing just fine. He finds Saeko asleep in the library, surrounded by books about coffee. When she wakes up, Kazu tells her that the world is a better and happier place because of her. Since it’s her birthday, he says they should celebrate her existence. Saeko quickly realizes these are the same words Yusuke once said to her.
Episode 5 ‘Beyond the Storm’
Episode 5 of Beyond Goodbye begins with Calm returning to Japan after the typhoon. Saeko reveals that Yusuke was someone she once loved. Kazu recognizes the name, but before he can say more, Shinoda arrives to announce that the PROBAT machine is working again. Curious, Kazu searches for Yusuke online and stumbles upon news of the accident. He starts piecing things together and realizes that the heart he received belongs to Yusuke. Later, as Kazu visits the accident site, he sees Saeko arrive with flowers to pay tribute to Yusuke.
When Saeko learns that Yusuke’s heart is inside Kazuma, she’s stunned. Kazu expresses deep gratitude to Yusuke and says he’s content with his current family. While Saeko is happy to hear this, she senses he might not be entirely honest since he hasn’t mentioned his partner or family even once. As they reflect on their letters to each other, they realize that everything happening between them is real. It feels like fate brought them together, and Kazu admits he’s grateful to have met her. Meanwhile, Saeko struggles to make sense of the situation and eventually shows pictures of Yusuke on her phone.
Kazu opens up about his experiences, sharing how Yusuke seems to be a part of him, with memories like playing the piano in Hawaii and glimpses of the avalanche. As they talk, Saeko asks to hear Yusuke’s heart, gently resting her head on Kazu’s chest as she breaks down in tears. The two grow closer, especially as the school café begins to thrive, becoming popular with the students. They spend more and more time together, with Saeko seeing it as a chance to relive the connection she had with Yusuke. However, Kengo worries about her getting hurt and reminds her that Kazu is not Yusuke. Unwilling to accept this, Saeko walks away, upset by his words.
Ironically, Kazu ends up at the café, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. He even recognizes Kengo but begins to feel like his presence is complicating things for everyone involved. Later that night, Kazu runs into Saeko at the station. Sensing her pain, he tries to make her laugh but ultimately steps forward to hug her, hoping to comfort her. As they embrace, the camera subtly focuses on Kazu’s wedding ring, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
Kazu is overwhelmed, torn between his own emotions and Yusuke’s lingering love. Unsure of his feelings and confused about what’s driving them, he decides he can’t continue like this.
Episode 6 ‘Beyond Fate and Chance’
Episode 6 of Beyond Goodbye opens with Saeko rushing through the rain, trying to find shelter. She ends up at the corner of a shop where Kazuma is standing, but it’s soon revealed to be a flashback to a time before Yusuke’s death. Yusuke arrives without an umbrella, choosing instead to keep Saeko company in the rain. Rather than offering her something to stay dry, he lightens the mood by dancing in the rain, trying to make her smile.
In the present, Miki shows up to pick up Kazuma. Before they part ways, Kazuma hands her an umbrella and some rain boots, explaining why he had recognized her earlier. This moment is also pivotal for Kazuma—it’s when he decided to move forward with the surgery that saved his life.
Saeko still keeps the umbrella and the pair of rain boots, but Kazu is struggling emotionally and physically. On his way to the station, he finds himself short of breath. Despite this, he and Saeko end up together again, this time exploring Yusuke’s hometown. They visit several meaningful places, including the park, the shrine, and a restaurant that Yusuke frequented. Meanwhile, Miki does her own research and learns about Yusuke and the mountain trail accident. She visits the spot where he passed away to pay her respects. There, she discovers a metal coffee cup left behind—one that Kazu had placed earlier in the series, showing he had already been there.
Kazu and Saeko take a photo together near the wind turbines and send it to Kengo. When Kengo opens the message and sees the picture, he sets his phone down, only for Miki to notice it on the counter. Seeing the photo of Kazu and Saeko together, Miki begins to suspect the worst. It’s a tough moment for her, as Kazu seems oblivious to how his actions affect her feelings. Determined to address the situation, Miki goes to the station to confront Saeko. She introduces herself and pleads with Saeko to step back, knowing that she and Kazu are growing closer. Saeko, however, denies that anything romantic is happening between them and reassures Miki.
Saeko confronts Miki, firmly stating that she won’t stop seeing Kazuma, no matter how Miki feels about it. She tries to justify her actions, claiming she’s struggling emotionally and clinging to the hope that Yusuke might still be present in some way. Miki breaks down, crying and questioning why she has to endure all this pain. She expresses her heartbreak over the situation, and Saeko apologizes for her role in it.
Meanwhile, Kazuma, feeling unwell, returns to the hospital due to heart problems. On his way, he runs into Saeko again. Her shoe breaks, and he offers to carry her on his back. They walk together, and when they arrive at her place, things take a turn. While sitting on the sofa, Saeko pulls Kazuma close, and they share a kiss. To top it off, the show adds emotional, sentimental music to the scene, despite the context of infidelity.
The pair kiss for a while and then sit in silence. When the umbrella by the door falls, Saeko suddenly remembers where she’s seen Kazuma before—it’s from earlier in the episode. Meanwhile, Kazuma reflects on that same time and feels like he’s now living two separate lives.
Episode 7 ‘Beyond A Lifetime’
Episode 7 of Beyond Goodbye starts with Saeko drying her hair after getting caught in the rain. She can’t stop thinking about her kiss with Kazuma and tries to distract herself by drinking coffee. Eventually, she leaves in a rush, still processing everything that’s happened. Meanwhile, Kazuma receives a grim diagnosis at the hospital: his heart is rejecting him, and he has less than a year to live.
Outside, Saeko trips and unexpectedly comes face to face with a huge brown bear. The bear starts to approach her, but her phone rings, scaring it off. It retreats, and Saeko breathes a sigh of relief. She calls Hiro but is quickly distracted by reporters who show up, eager to interview her after her encounter with the bear.
As Saeko’s encounter with the bear ends up on the news, Miki sees it and is reminded of her connection to Kazuma. She’s still unaware of the affair, while Kazuma feels guilty, as he should. Despite this, he agrees to meet Saeko later that day. The two joke about the bear incident before having a serious conversation. They recall a previous time they met, sharing memories about it. Kazuma seems at ease, but Saeko feels torn. She realizes she’s falling for him but isn’t sure if it’s Kazuma or Yusuke she’s truly in love with. Overwhelmed, she worries about ruining his family life and struggles to deal with her emotions.
Kazuma struggles with his feelings, especially when Saeko points out his good qualities. Eventually, they decide to go their separate ways, with Saeko realizing this path is too risky and choosing to change her life direction.
Kazuma doesn’t tell her he’s living on borrowed time, and Miki doesn’t either, as she seems to be moving forward with her own life. Feeling conflicted, Kazuma revisits their old hangout spots and tries to reconnect with Saeko. However, she has ended things and doesn’t want to see him again. Kengo advises Kazuma to focus on his own life and let go of Saeko. Unfortunately, Kazuma isn’t ready to let go and decides to keep chasing after Saeko. Sadly, while trying to catch up with her, his heart gives out.
Episode 8 ‘Beyond Goodbye’
Episode 8 of Beyond Goodbye kicks off in Hawaii, where Saeko has been spending time with Hiro. She’s been staying there for a while, focusing on her passion for coffee and looking to expand her business. However, things take a dramatic turn when she receives an unexpected phone call, followed by a surprise visit from Kazuma. We’ll come back to that call later, but for now, Kazuma reveals his decision to stay with her for a few days. He believes this isn’t just his choice but Yusuke’s spirit influencing him.
Kazuma shares some surprising news—his health has improved, and he’s expected to live a long, healthy life. However, this also means he’ll lose all the memories connected to Yusuke. He wants to spend these last few days with Saeko, holding onto those memories before bidding Yusuke a final goodbye. Hiro thinks this is the perfect chance for Saeko to say goodbye properly and encourages her to go for it. Saeko and Kazuma spend some peaceful moments together, cooking and eating, while Kazuma realizes that he’s been fully himself—Kazuma—all day, rather than feeling influenced by Yusuke.
Later that night, the phone call Saeko received earlier is explained. It was from Miki, who revealed the truth about Kazuma’s health—that he’s going to die soon. Miki tells Saeko that Kazuma was determined to see her one last time before his passing. Miki admits she’s doing this because she loves Kazuma and has come to terms with his decision. However, she also confesses a more spiteful motive: she wants Saeko to feel the pain she’s been experiencing. In the same breath, Miki gives her blessing for Saeko and Kazuma to kiss, given the situation, but warns against anything more intimate, as it could fatally strain his heart.
Kazuma quickly senses that Saeko isn’t herself that night, noticing her struggle to hide her sadness. As the night goes on, Saeko rests her head on Kazuma’s chest and falls asleep, silently holding back her tears. The two don’t kiss again or become romantically involved, preserving the emotional boundary between them. Eventually, Saeko sees Kazuma off at the airport.
At the airport, Yusuke’s memories resurface one last time. Kazuma recalls how Yusuke felt the day he first met Saeko at the airport. Yusuke had wanted to make her smile and cheer her up, which is why he played that song. However, midway through reliving the memory, Kazuma falters as the final traces of Yusuke’s presence fade away, leaving only Kazuma behind.
It’s a poignant conclusion for Kazuma’s character, and the two part ways with a handshake, marking the end of their journey together. Kazuma returns home and reunites with Miki. Overwhelmed with emotion, the two run to each other and embrace tightly. Kazuma is finally back, and he chooses to spend his remaining time with his wife. Tragically, he passes away some time later in the orchard.
Meanwhile, Kengo and Saeko make a pact to avoid falling for the same man again. Saeko eventually decides to return to the factory and work with Shinoda once more. However, during her train ride home, she receives an unexpected message from Miki. The message invites her to the orchard, where Miki is busy apple-picking. Curious, Saeko accepts the invitation and shows up.
When they meet, Miki explains that she feels indebted to Saeko. She sees this hard labor as a way to atone for her past actions and to build a connection between them. Miki proposes an annual tradition—once a year, she wants Saeko to join her in the orchard. For Miki, it’s a way to honor the memory of both Yusuke and Kazuma, keeping their presence alive in her life.
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