Anyone can fall in love with anyone. That’s precisely the premise of Japan’s first same-sex reality dating show, The Boyfriend.
From the very start of the series, viewers will be convinced that The Boyfriend is fairly different from other reality dating shows like Love is Blind, Perfect Match, or Too Hot to Handle, and frankly, this works in favor of the Japanese show. The Boyfriend offers something sweet and inclusive, which can be watched by anyone across the world.
The different contestants of The Boyfriend put forth their honest stories and journeys which have led them to this reality series. So far, Netflix has released the first three episodes of The Boyfriend, and we’re here to share our review of the same, which will help you decide whether you want to stream it or skip it!
Plenty to Offer in Just 3 Episodes
First and foremost, The Boyfriend introduced its contestants in Episode 1, starting with Dai, followed by Taeheon, Ryota, Gensei, and Shun.
The first meeting of all the contestants was definitely a little shy and awkward, and it was established from that moment that they would take a while to open up, but as the series unfolds, piece by piece, it will quickly become something you are eager to watch every week.
The Boyfriend also has a set of hosts, who discuss the contestants, their personalities, and the bonds that eventually start forming. In the first episode, all of the boys are asked to work together, which will bring them closer, and also be a test for their compatibility.
Later in the episode, a new contestant, Kazuto is introduced, which will come as a relief to the viewers because otherwise there would be an imbalance in the number of people in the house. The pilot episode of The Boyfriend starts the show on a strong note, giving everyone plenty more to look forward to.
As the series progresses in the second episode, as compared to the first, we see the contestants open up a little more, however, the hint of shyness and innocence continues to linger. Frankly, this actually makes us a little more attentive when it comes to The Boyfriend, as opposed to other reality series where people don’t hold back and it almost feels a little too fake and scripted.
So far, Japan’s latest dating series looks natural, and something people can relate to, especially those who belong to the LGBTQI+ community, which is ultimately the underlying purpose of the series.
Ultimately, we would recommend watching The Boyfriend with no set expectations and not using any other reality shows as a benchmark, because only then will you be able to enjoy the authenticity of the series, and the first three episodes, which show the growth of the contestants, and the relationships that have been formed between them.
Conclusion
The Boyfriend deserves a spot on your watchlist, especially if you’re a reality series fan, and if not, this series might be the perfect place to start. Keep a lookout on our website as we review the next set of episodes next week!