“The Boyfriend,” Japan’s first same-sex dating show tells the cast’s stories

“The Boyfriend,” Japan’s first same-sex romance reality series was released in July and has already attracted a large audience. Located by the ocean, nine young men lived together in the beach house for a month, where they learned romance and friendship through various activities. The entire series consists of 10 episodes, each lasting 40-50 minutes.

この投稿をInstagramで見る

Netflix Japan | ネットフリックス(@netflixjp)がシェアした投稿

This series stands out from other dating reality genres because any cast member potentially be either someone’s boyfriend or a friend, as they are gay or bisexual. Beyond this unique aspect, the series includes various features that have captivated many audiences.

Detailed psychological portraits

Firstly, the audience is drawn to the cast members’ subtle emotional expressions. One of the members mentioned in an episode how difficult it is to find someone you can truly call a friend or best friend. Given the challenges of living as a gay person in Japan, it’s understandable that they prioritize forming genuine connections over standing out. While some viewers may feel frustrated by the slow pace at which they interact and get to know each other, I believe this is due to their timidity and kindness. Additionally, their nervousness and shyness add a realistic touch to the episodes.

この投稿をInstagramで見る

Netflix Japan | ネットフリックス(@netflixjp)がシェアした投稿

Cast members’ personal growth

Secondly, unlike in many other dating reality shows, all the cast members experience significant personal growth throughout the series, which was filmed over a month. They have faced traumatic and fearful experiences when coming out about their sexuality and gender identity to their parents, friends and loved ones. Viewers will find it inspiring to watch them recognize their differences and gradually learn to understand and accept them with each episode.

Setting free audiences from stereotypes

Lastly, audiences will encounter diverse forms of sexuality that break free from traditional stereotypes. In an interview, Taiki, the casting producer, explained that he considered the fact that many Japanese viewers still hold a fixed idea of what it means to be “gay.” As a result, he selected cast members with a variety of characteristics and backgrounds. This approach elevates the series beyond the typical dating reality show, making it deeper, more sensitive and more complex.

Indeed, Japan still imposes significant barriers for same-sex couples (a friend of mine mentioned that she wasn’t ready to watch this show yet), but streaming a gay dating reality show produced in Japan is a major step forward. While Taiki doesn’t currently plan to produce other LGBTQ shows, he’s eager to participate in future projects if this series generates a strong response. I’m excited to see how this trend might accelerate change in society.