Every snowflake is unique in Netflix’s The Boyfriend Season 2.
Set in the wintertime in Hokkaido, this Japanese reality TV series sees a group of men get cozy, share intimate conversations, and run a coffee business while trying to find love. Ranging in age from 20 to 40, these men also do all sorts of activities together from hitting up the hot springs, building a makeshift igloo, and leisurely trips to local spots to test out their bonds and see if they have what it takes to leave this experience with a boyfriend.
And since Lizzie and I have so many thoughts about The Boyfriend Season 2, here’s our breakdown of Episodes 1-6!
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1. Why should people be watching The Boyfriend?
Lizzie: Because we all need a reality TV show that isn’t messy, like Love Is Blind or Temptation Island. And don’t get me wrong, I love mess sometimes, but The Boyfriend makes me feel like you can find love, or even friendship and community. It’s just a nice, soft watch… even if this season has more drama. And I firmly believe all reality shows need live commentary. It’s a must, truly.
Lyra: The Boyfriend is probably the softest dating reality series I’ve watched in years. And it was so comforting that after I finished watching it and put something else on, I realized how overstimulating most reality TV series are. It’s like a cup of hot chocolate. But don’t be fooled. Just because this show is comforting doesn’t mean that the drama doesn’t happen. It happens. But it’s just a little gentler and takes time to simmer. And if anything, these emotions are heightened to a point I’ve never seen before on reality TV.
2. Who is your favorite from the cast? And why is it Huwei?
Lizzie: It is indeed Huwei. How is he good at everything? I don’t know, but I cannot look away from the Olympian doing a PhD on gender studies and that’s actually so nice, not so deep down. Some people are very in-your-face, and that’s great sometimes, but there’s something about Huwei’s personality that I just like. He feels very much not like the stereotype of either a jock or a really smart person. Count me in for Team Huwei.
Lyra: Huwei is my favorite on The Boyfriend Season 2 because he’s educated, skilled in sports, and knows how to cook. He just seems so well-rounded, kind, a bit goofy. And that’s a balance that I would like to see more of instead of just focusing on William this and Izaya that. I said, what I said. Now I just need him to be make a decision. I get that he doesn’t want to break someone’s heart. But his indecision speaks a lot about his commitment to the show’s concept itself. Nevertheless, I’d marry him.
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3. Who can’t you stand?
Lizzie: I think this isn’t a Love is Blind kinda show, so there’s no hatred in me, but I will admit the person who has had me going “what in the world?” more often is Izaya. I just don’t trust him. I feel like he’s not sure what he wants, and that’s why he keeps giving mixed signals and making a big deal out of things that really shouldn’t be that big of a deal? I don’t know, I started this show being like “I don’t trust William,” but by the end of episode 6 I was like “I don’t trust Izaya.”
Lyra: I’m with Lizzie on this. This isn’t Love is Blind. So there’s not the same kind of toxicity. But… there is someone I am having a hard time liking: Bomi. He wants things, but doesn’t speak up. And then the rest of the time he doesn’t know if he even likes the person he’s getting bothered about. He’s just cruising and nothing is going to happen unless you put yourself out there.
4. Are William and Izaya going to last?
Lizzie: I don’t think so! I mean, stranger things have happened, but I think they both have scars and I don’t know that their baggage is very compatible. They’d at least need a LOT more communication than we’re getting right now. I’ve said “I don’t trust you” about both multiple times, and mostly about Izaya in the last few episodes. So there’s that.
Lyra: Nope. I don’t think Izaya and William are going to last. And I will say, these two have thrown me for a loop. At first I was on Izaya’s side, thinking that William ghosted him. Then the more I learned, the more I was on Williams side. And that’s where I am right now; hoping these two break up because Izaya is territorial, jumps to conclusions, and is really in love with his own narrative about how things went between him and William. These two are going to eventually crash. And it needs to happen sooner rather than later.
5. Who needs to try harder?
Lizzie: Kazuyuki, it’s been six episodes and I feel like I don’t know you. Don’t get me wrong, I know this is hard, but you are here! So, I think it’s important to try to break out of that shell. Otherwise, I think the point of even coming is kinda lost.
Lyra: Ah yes, Kazayuki. What has he been doing on The Boyfriend Season 2? Nothing besides floating around when they have meals together. This is a chance to find love. And he signed up for that and went through the whole vetting process to get here. He’s squandering this opportunity and at this point I wish his spot went to someone else.
6. How do you feel about so many of the cast members knowing each other already?
Lizzie: It certainly makes the whole thing more dramatic, but it felt almost like a joke at one point. Like, what are the odds? No, really, what are the odds? Did the show plan it or something? Because most of the drama we’re seeing isn’t coming from things that happened in the house, but things they were carrying from before. I’ll just say it’s at least suspicious. But hey, if casting knew, then I almost want to give them kudos. It worked.
Lyra: Honestly, so many of the cast members of Season 2 knowing each other made me curious about the queer scene in Japan. How big is the LGBTQ+ community in Japan? What are the laws in Japan when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community? Where they do hang out? Which cities are more liberal? I’m curious. And I love when a show makes me curious.
The Boyfriend Season 2 Episodes 1-6 are now available on Netflix. Episodes 7-9 drop January 20th.
