The Boyfriend

Shun and Dai from The Boyfriend on Netflix.
Shun and Dai from The Boyfriend on Netflix.

Not trying to shill for Netflix, but there is a reality show from Japan called The Boyfriend that has just premiered and runs until 30-July. From the review in The Guardian (UK):

“Over the past year or so, British TV has undergone a sort of renaissance when it comes to same-sex dating on reality shows. The Ultimatum: Queer Love. I Kissed a Boy. I Kissed a Girl. The odd gay couple thrown into the mix on Married at First Sight. And now, it seems, Japan is following suit with The Boyfriend on Netflix, the country’s first same-sex reality show. It sees nine men gather in a luxury beach house outside Tokyo for a month in order to, hopefully, meet a new boyfriend. Or maybe just become friends! This is, as we’re very sweetly reminded from the off, “a story of love and friendship”.

“If you’re looking for hot make-out sessions, actual sex and partner swapping, you’d be better revisiting season eight of MTV’s Are You the One? But if you’re looking for something that feels more real, less reality TV-minded and tantalisingly lovely, then The Boyfriend might just be the show for you.”

The Guardian (UK)

I typically don’t watch reality tv shows. And this one has some contrivances and you know it’s been “produced” in certain ways. But I actually got into it. It is sweet. It is laid-back drama every once in awhile. And these guys are indeed sweet, polite, and sensitive souls. We’ll see how it plays out. But it’s worth a look. (In Japanese with English subtitles.)