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 and Episodes 7-9!
1. William and Izaya have left The Green Room. Were they ready? Are they going to make it?
Lyra: William and Izaya had outgrown the Green Room. So yeah, it was time for them to go, especially because they weren’t exploring any other connections. I was worried that the show wouldn’t do well without them there. But the show is doing fine with the other contestants. Now for William and Izaya surviving out there in the real world, I have doubts. And it’s mainly to do with the distance. They were struggling in the Green Room and they were together all the time. Thousands of miles and hours of time difference isn’t going to treat them well.
Lizzie: Yeah, honestly, I think it was for the best. They only wanted to spend time with each other, so it felt like they’d outgrown the Green Room, in a way. They have to try it on their own outside, in the real world, to see if they have a chance to make it.
Now, will they? I’m not so sure. It’s hard to tell in this show because it often feels like the vibe isn’t “let’s confront all our possible problems,” and then when we’re out of here, we kinda know how we’ll deal with them together. There are so many things that could end up breaking them up. But I think they want to make it, so I’m going to have some faith in them.
2. Kazuyuki has left The Green Room as well. Was this a wasted opportunity?
Lyra: While I hope that everything works out for him, this wasn’t the show for him. The people that came onto The Boyfriend were looking for connection. And I don’t think he tried from the very start. Yeah, it gave him a sense of community and that’s great. But even then, I think there was distance between him and the other contestants because they were on two different wavelengths. So yes, I would’ve loved if someone else would’ve taken that spot.
Lizzie: I don’t think so, in the sense that I feel like he got what he wanted, what he needed. But I think perhaps it would have been better for everyone else to have someone in there who was actually an option, because Kazuyuki was never one. He was always stuck in the past. Now, I hope things worked out for him, I do. I kinda applaud him for taking the time to reevaluate things, and I hope he’s ready to fully commit to his partner this time if he’s really gonna try again.
3. From Huwei to Ryuki and Hiroya, things got deep, and some feelings got hurt. What conversation can’t you stop thinking about?
Lyra: Two conversations got to me; one good, one bad. Let’s start off with the good. I loved the conversation that Huwei and Bomi had about family. Both of these two are taking the experience seriously and opening up in ways they didn’t expect when they first got to the Green Room. I was especially surprised by Huwei because he’s been holding back a lot. But here he is talking to Bomi about something so personal.
Then there’s the Hiroya and Tomoaki conversation. Hiroya was coming at this conversation like there’s a right way of being gay. And it’s absolutely grounded in internalized homophobia. That’s why Tomoaki reacted the way he did. It would feel insulting to encounter someone from your very own community that acts like your way is the wrong way when there’s enough hate out there in the world for the gay community as a whole.
What followed was a couple awkward days before they talked again in the group. And while I don’t think that anything was truly solved and that they need to have another conversation, it’s a step. Sometimes we need one person to point it out for us to realize we are doing damage to ourselves with this kind of thinking. And that’s what Hiroya was doing, hurting himself.
Lizzie: Hiroya’s conversation with Tomoaki got under my skin; I think the same way it got under Tomoaki’s skin. I can appreciate that Hiroya didn’t mean to be homophobic, but there’s a lot of internalized homophobia in the way he expressed himself that I don’t think he’s grappled with. Also, I think he knows he did wrong, but doesn’t know why, and the whole thing was kinda “fixed” for the sake of peace, not because it was actually resolved. I don’t know, it left me with a not-so-great feeling about Hiroya.
4. Taeheon and Jobu. Is that going to last? Or do you like Taeheon and Hiroya?
Lyra: Truly shocked that Taeheon gave Jobu another chance after their first disaster of a date. But I feel like they work really well together. Taeheon is really reserved and needs someone to balance him out and bring him out of his shell. I think that’s Jobu. (Even in small moments too when they had that sweet moment when Taeheon was in between Hiroya and Tomaki and Jobu pointed it out. Light and soft moment there.) And sure, in the beginning Jobu thought of Taeheon as some sort of ideal because he was on the first season of The Boyfriend. But that’s gone. Jobu sees Taeheon. And I think they can really work out.
Lizzie: I don’t much like Hiroya right now, and I like Jobu a lot soooo. I also think Taeheon probably needs someone who gets him out of his own head, and Jobu seems good at that. I thought there was no chance of this happening after their first convo, but the fact that Taeheon tried again and gave Jobu another chance and then they had so much fun on that trip, well…I want to believe they can make it.
5. Huwei made matching mugs for him and Bomi. Does he need to marry this man?
Lyra: HUWEI, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE! If anything, Huwei making these mugs for Bomi means that there’s a lot we’re not seeing on camera. Because Huwei is reserved. But when it matters, he’s there. And he’s showing Bomi that he’s thinking about him even when he’s not there. That’s something that is going to last. Or I hope it does. Like Lizzie says below, Bomi needs to lock this down!
Lizzie: Someone needs to marry this man, ASAP. Every episode I’m like “Huwei, stop.” And yet he won’t stop being so perfect! And like, not perfect in a way that feels unreal, either. He’s just a good guy, who cares, and who is very impressive as an individual. And he wants commitment too, and genuinely likes Bomi. I think Bomi needs to lock that down.
6. At this point in the show, who is your favorite or has benefited the most from this experience?
Lyra: Huwei is my frontrunner for sure. He has so many good qualities. But Jobu has surprised me! I would be friends with Jobu and hands down would love to hang out with his mom. She came all the way to see him and brought food. Taeheon, lock that down quick!
Lizzie: I think Huwei remains my favorite, but I have also really gotten attached to Jobu, and I hope things go well for him. Honestly, the only one I’m iffy about right now is Hiroya.
The Boyfriend Season 2 Episodes 1-12 are now available on Netflix. Episodes 13-15 drop February 3.
