Can love truly bloom when one person recoils from touch while the other can’t bear eye contact? That’s the central question of Romantics Anonymous, Netflix’s upcoming romantic comedy premiering October 16.
The series introduces us to two people who seem destined to avoid closeness—yet discover that with each other, their fears mysteriously vanish.
At the heart of the story is Sosuke Fujiwara (Shun Oguri), the reserved heir to Futago Confectionery. Though brilliant and poised to lead, Sosuke struggles with an intense fear of germs that makes physical touch nearly unbearable. His opposite is Hana (Han Hyo Joo), a gifted chocolatier behind the signature creations of the famed shop Le Sauveur. Hana pours her heart into crafting delicate chocolates but shies away from recognition, crippled by scopophobia—her extreme fear of eye contact. Hidden behind anonymity, she works quietly in the kitchen while her creations steal the spotlight.
When Sosuke takes over as head of Le Sauveur, his determination to breathe new life into the shop leads him to meet Hana face-to-face. What unfolds is both surprising and tender: despite their anxieties, Hana finds she can look Sosuke in the eyes, and Sosuke discovers he doesn’t shrink from her touch. In that moment, what once seemed impossible becomes the seed of an unusual yet sweet romance. Their relationship blossoms slowly but surely, in stolen glances, tentative gestures, and everyday moments that feel both awkward and deeply moving.
The series doesn’t just focus on the couple, however—it builds a world around them. Viewers will meet Hiro (Jin Akanishi), Sosuke’s fun-loving best friend and jazz bar owner, who secretly holds Hana’s admiration. Irene (Yuri Nakamura), a therapist and longtime friend of Sosuke, also serves as Hana’s counselor, weaving subtle emotional threads between the two leads and their support system.
Ryo Narita plays Takashi Fujiwara, Sosuke’s dependable cousin and confidant within the family business, while Ayumi Ito portrays Motomi Kawamura, Le Sauveur’s passionate head chocolatier, whose dedication shapes the shop’s identity. Veteran actors Eiji Okuda and Koichi Sato bring gravitas as Kenji Kuroiwa, the compassionate owner who understands Hana’s struggles, and Shuntaro Fujiwara, Sosuke’s authoritative father and chairman of Futago Confectionery.
With this dynamic ensemble, Romantics Anonymous layers comedy, vulnerability, and charm, crafting a love story that feels refreshingly human.
Behind the camera, the production boasts some of Asia’s most respected creatives. Director Sho Tsukikawa, celebrated for his delicate handling of love stories, orchestrates the narrative with emotional depth. The artistry is further elevated by Lee Ha-jun and Jin-mo Yang (both of Parasite), who lead production design and editing, respectively, alongside cinematographer Kosuke Yamada (Beyond Goodbye). Adding to the atmosphere is the music of Dalpalan, an acclaimed South Korean composer whose award-winning soundscapes promise to capture both the sweetness and the bittersweet moments of the story.
Featuring a cross-cultural cast, thoughtful storytelling, and lavish production design, Romantics Anonymous offers more than just another romcom. It’s a celebration of vulnerability, showing how love can bloom not despite our fears, but because of the courage we find when facing them together.
Life’s sweetest romance begins October 16—only on Netflix.
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