The Boyfriend (TV series) explained

Image Upright:1.15
Native Name:
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese
Num Episodes:10
Network:Netflix

is a Japanese reality dating show on Netflix.[1] [2] [3] It is the nation's first same-sex dating program. It premiered on July 9, 2024.[4] [5]

Format

The show initially features a cast of 6 Japanese and East Asian men who identify as gay or bisexual living together in a house called "The Green Room". Three more cast members are added as the show progresses. Each day, one cast member is selected by the show's unseen producers to run a coffee truck; that cast member may select one other participant to run the truck with them that day. The coffee truck allows participants to deepen their relationship without interference from the rest of the cast, who remain at the Green Room and maintain the house, relax, or socialize. Periodically, the cast are allowed to indicate who they would like to take on a more conventional date; each participant gets only one vote, and only mutual matches get to go on the date. The show is not a competition and thus no participants are eliminated.

Periodically, the show cuts to a panel of commentators chaired by Megumi, who discuss the cast's actions and relationships, and offer their own opinions on who should date whom. They also provide additional commentary and insight regarding homosexuality in Japan and LGBT rights in Japan.

Cast

Contestants

EntranceNameAgeOccupationEpisodes
1Dai (Japanese: ダイ)23university student1–10
2Taeheon (Japanese: テホン)34Product designer1–10
3Ryota (Japanese: リョウタ)28Model and barista1–10
4

Notes and References

  1. News: Jones . Daisy . 2024-07-09 . The Boyfriend review – the gay Japanese dating show that will have you punching the air with joy . 2024-07-14 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077 . 2024-07-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240714234659/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/jul/09/the-boyfriend-review-gay-japanese-dating-show-netflix . live .
  2. Web site: 2024-07-10 . Netflix’s The Boyfriend is not just groundbreaking – it’s the antidote to Love Island . 2024-07-14 . The Independent . en . 2024-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240712082409/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/netflix-the-boyfriend-japan-b2577321.html . live .
  3. Web site: 2024-07-10 . Netflix's groundbreaking gay dating show The Boyfriend is nearly perfect . 2024-07-14 . Digital Spy . en-GB . 2024-07-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240713202105/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a61550326/the-boyfriend-netflix-review/ . live .
  4. Web site: Wangu . Elah . 2024-07-10 . The Boyfriend: Latest News, Release Date, Cast & Trailer . 2024-07-14 . ScreenRant . en.
  5. Web site: The Boyfriend on Netflix is Japan’s first same-sex dating reality show. Emma. Steen. July 9, 2024. Time Out Tokyo.